A career nurse and life-long horse lover, Ginni Hartke rolled her two passions into Equine Assisted Therapy in Wildwood, MO. EAT is a non-profit that provides therapeutic horseback riding activities to disabled individuals in the St. Louis area.

Hartke knew horses can help heal. Benefits of therapeutic riding include physical changes such as increased circulation, strength, balance, and mobility. Psychosocial factors also come into play, as things like self-esteem and interpersonal skills can improve as well.

Equine Assisted Therapy helps both adults and children. While controlled research is limited, parents, teachers, physical therapists and physicians testify to its benefits.