Papa Joe's Happy Trails is an Equine-Assisted Therapy (ETA) program. 

 

While therapeutic riding provides riders with socialization skills, ETA integrates the whole person at multiple levels of their individual needs. It involves the emotional, the physical and the cognitive part of the rider. Sometimes an ETA rider doesn't even ride - simply being around the horse brings out the therapy aspects and benefits.

ETA can also be used for psychotherapy, whereas the therapist accompanies the rider and does therapy while the patient is on horseback.

ETA helps abuse victims reconnect with themselves.

Riders with autism ride alongside neurotypical riders and feel like they are just a part of the group.
Papa Joe's Happy Trails was formed in 2018. It is a 501c3 not-for-profit. Helen has been conducting Equine-Assisted Therapy programming for 36 years.