Children's Program

Our Children's Program is designed specifically for children with special needs, chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities, and their families. We believe that every child deserves to experience the joy, confidence, and sense of accomplishment that comes from connecting with horses. Our program serves children of all abilities, adapting activities to meet each participant exactly where they are.

Children's Program Application Form

Where Every Child Finds Their Wings

In our welcoming environment, children can progress at their own pace through a variety of activities including touching and petting horses, grooming, sitting on horses, riding (when appropriate), participating in mounted games, reading to horses, and simply spending quiet time with these gentle giants. Family members are always welcome to participate, making this a truly inclusive healing experience

What makes our program special

  • No cost to families - ever
  • Individualized 50-minute sessions
  • Flexible scheduling to accommodate medical appointments and family needs
  • Trained volunteers who understand special needs
  • Adaptive equipment and techniques
  • Family-centered approach

What makes our program special

  • No cost to families - ever
  • Individualized 50-minute sessions
  • Flexible scheduling to accommodate medical appointments and family needs
  • Trained volunteers who understand special needs
  • Adaptive equipment and techniques
  • Family-centered approach

Tailored to Each Child's Journey

Every child's experience at Champ's Heart is unique, designed around their individual needs, interests, and abilities. Our activities range from gentle interaction for children who may be medically fragile to more active engagement for those ready for greater challenges.

Ground Activities

  • Meeting and greeting horses with guided introduction
  • Grooming and caring for horses, building responsibility and connection
  • Leading horses, developing confidence and trust
  • Feeding treats and learning about horse care
  • Reading stories to horses in our quiet spaces

Mounted Activities

  • Sitting on horses for children building comfort and confidence
  • Guided riding with volunteer support for safety and encouragement
  • Mounted games and activities that build coordination and joy
  • Bareback riding for children ready for increased sensory input

Adaptive Approaches

  • Wheelchair accessibility throughout our facility
  • Specialized mounting equipment for children with physical limitations
  • Sensory-friendly spaces for children with autism or sensory processing challenges
  • Communication supports for non-verbal children

Healing The Whole Family

We understand that when a child faces significant challenges, the entire family is affected. Our program intentionally includes parents, siblings, and extended family members in the healing process. We've witnessed families rediscover joy together, parents find moments of peace while watching their child thrive, and siblings develop greater empathy and understanding.

"Our son Logan has autism and had never willingly touched an animal before coming to Champ's Heart. Larry and the volunteers were so patient with him. Within 40 minutes of our first visit, Logan was not only touching the horse but had climbed up and was sitting in the saddle with the biggest smile we'd ever seen. As parents, we cried tears of joy. Champ's Heart gave us back something we thought we'd lost—the simple pleasure of watching our child experience pure happiness."

- Johnson Family