Triangle Therapeutic Riding Center

Triangle Therapeutic Riding Center, founded in 2005 by Laura Rutledge, was originally created to serve children with autism. Today the Center provides therapeutic care to both youth and adults, with or without disabilities, to enhance social, emotional and physical functioning.

Recently, the center initiated a program for veterans suffering from PTSD. The veterans Community Reintegration Program serves men and women who are within a 30-day inpatient Veterans Administration Hospital stay. Typically a group of four to five veterans, along with a recreational therapist from the VA, visit the horses and spend time interacting with them. According to Rutledge, “It’s the first step to becoming aware of how inside themselves they are; finding connection with a horse gets them out of their heads and into the moment.” The veterans program is funded by the community and free for participants.

The program is fully supported by volunteers who find abundant opportunities for work, including daily tasks in the stables and assisting with horse and rider sessions. Visit the website to view a touching and informative video on how the horses transform lives.