We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Horses Healing Humans; a non-profit organization offering therapeutic equine services in Stonington. With this acquisition, the property formerly known as Horses Healing Humans has become: The Light House Homestead and Stables. As our fourth campus, The Light House Homestead and Stables will serve as a premiere disability services facility offering a safe and inclusive environment with therapeutic horseback riding, recreational activities, and vocational training opportunities for individuals of all abilities, that are tailored to their unique needs, skills, and interests.
With similar missions, we have combined resources with Horses Healing Humans to better serve our community by building upon the infrastructure of their programs, expanding services to accommodate a broader population of individuals including students and participants from our organization.
As part of our newest program: Therapeutic Equine Services, we look forward to continuing to provide the essential therapeutic services or community needs, and creating new opportunities for participants by reinforcing Horses Healing Humans’ mission:
"To assist people with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities through Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies conducted by caring, qualified credentialed professionals."
The Therapeutic Equine Services Program serves a range of diagnoses including physical disabilities such as
Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, and MS; intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism and Attention Deficit Disorders, and mental health disorders such as Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Prior to the start of the semester, instructors design client-specific lesson plans to work towards each individual’s physical, social, emotional, and/or sensory goals.
Program areas include: Mounted Therapeutic Riding Lessons (MTRL), Unmounted Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), Community Riding Lessons, Horseback Yoga, and Community Outreach with Lulu the miniature horse. Programs allow individuals with disabilities to learn new skills, connect with their peers, safely enjoy outdoor recreation opportunities, and build long-lasting bonds with members of our herd.
Sara Klimek, Director of Therapeutic Equine Services will lead all programming, operations, and community relations. Sara graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and minors in Food Systems and Nutrition & Food Sciences. She is currently finishing her Master's Degree in Agricultural Extension Education through the University of Arkansas. Sara started riding horses when she was three years old, rode for several competitive teams, and gained barn management experience throughout her teen and post-graduate years. Prior to joining The Light House, Sara was a program leader for the UCONN, UVM, and National 4-H Extension for various project areas including civic engagement, public speaking, gardening, food science, cooking, and equine science.
"I am very excited to utilize my skills and experience offer safe, nurturing, accessible and essential recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities within the equine community."
-Sara Klimek, Director of Therapeutic Equine Programs
The Therapeutic Equine Center is the only PATH accredited facility in New London County. The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) is the primary accreditation entity for therapeutic equine facilities nationwide. The association publishes a set of annual standards for administrative functions, equine welfare, facilities, client confidentiality, and teaching. As a PATH accredited facility we take pride in upholding these standards to maintain this accreditation as well as to actively promote an ethical code of professionalism, respect, and concern for safety.
In addition to the stables, the 32-acre property boasts a 5,000 square foot home, which serves as the primary training facility for our LH Works Program: a vocational training program for young adults with diverse abilities. This residence allows for job seekers to develop and practice essential vocational, social and life skills prior to applying them to community-based job sites. In the on-site commercial greenhouse and kitchen, Job Seekers interested in the culinary industry work to plant, nurture, and harvest microgreens prior to utilizing them to create and serve culinary dishes in the commercial kitchen.
Two fully functional Airbnb properties allow visitors to enjoy the serene landscape of the Homestead as
well as various area attractions. Visitors to these properties allow Job Seekers to practice skills in hospitality, a dominant industry in our region.
“We are thrilled to have the Horses Healing Humans farm join us as we continue to expand
our service potential and community involvement. Our organization has been
fortunate to not only sustain, but to grow throughout the pandemic, and we are
excited to embark on this next venture. Our vision to create a sustainable, working
farm offering equine assisted therapies, vocational training, and recreational space
for individuals with disabilities is in reach.”
-Kassidy Brown, Executive Director
At The Light House, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional experiences for individuals with disabilities. As we expand our programs to include the unique opportunities The Homestead and Stables has to offer, we look forward to deepening our connection with the community by promoting therapeutic healing, and reinforcing our mission “to educate and prepare for life.”
For more information on Therapeutic Equine Services please contact Sara Klimek, Director of Therapeutic Equine Services at 860-237-1685 or sklimek@lvecenter.com. For general information concerning the acquisition, please contact Kassidy Brown, Executive Director at kbrown@lvecenter.com or 860-445-7626 ext. 110. To learn more about program offerings, visit www.lhcampus.com/equine-services.