SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program

Spirit Open Equestrian Program supports and empowers our community by providing Equine Assisted Therapy, Learning, Activities, and Psychotherapy in the Northern Virginia and Washington Metropolitan Area. Our programs improve the quality of life for our participants by improving their physical and emotional health, increasing their sense of pride, accomplishment, dignity, independence and self-esteem as they grow and achieve goals through interactions and activities with our horses. SPIRIT OEP offers programs for all ages from young children to adults and senior citizens including: • Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT)for individuals with special needs to promote physical and emotional growth and development through horseback riding and activities in the saddle • Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) where participants develop valuable life skills while working with the horses and on the farm and helping with therapy sessions • Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) for groups such as churches, rehabilitation and therapy organizations, and veterans groups where activities and interactions with and around the horses provide therapy and learning • Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) which we provide in collaboration with our psychotherapists, counselors and mental health specialists. In those sessions participants learn more about themselves through interactions with the horses SPIRIT OEP was founded in 2007 and we are a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International). Our instructors are certified therapeutic riding instructors who create individualized activities to address each participant’s educational, physical, social, and recreational needs. Our team also includes licensed psychotherapists, certified mental health specialists, and licensed social workers and counselors We are a nationally recognized, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.