Testimonials

The impact of NCEFT’s programs are best described by our clients and their families, and our partners in the community.

Mental Health & Resilience Programs

“Every meeting started with a mediation which gave us a chance to center and ground ourselves. The NCEFT staff is outrageous. I’ve never been so well taken care of. I got so much out of this program. I almost feel like I leave cancer at the door when I get here and have to pick it up when I leave. But the time that I’m here, I‘m not here to deal with my cancer. It’s such a pleasure to leave it behind for a while.” — Healing with the Herd Workshop Participant (cancer group)

“I felt supported and heard – my whole self, including the parts of me and my diagnosis that I don’t share outside of this group.” — Healing with the Herd Workshop Participant (cancer group)

“I feel overwhelmed with joy. I feel happy and connected.” — Group Participant (addiction recovery)

“I feel very peaceful and grounded.” — Group Participant (addiction recovery)

“I’ve noticed I’m more calm, collected, and confident. In the beginning, I could barely touch a horse…last week, I rode PC!” — STEPS Workshop Participant (middle school student)

“I have shared some home problems and that really helped me because other people have similar issues so that made me feel like I am not the only one going through a hard time.” — STEPS Workshop Participant (middle school student)

“Before coming here, I was very anxious all the time about school. I learned a lot about myself and really feel like I’ve grown as a person. I’m really proud of myself because I took a step forward into a new chapter in my life. I love the horses and people at NCEFT.” — STRIDES Workshop Participant (high school student)

“Fun, Amazing, Loving, Unforgettable” — STRIDES Workshop Participant (high school student)

Physical & Occupational Therapy Programs

“When my son first started coming to NCEFT, he was in a wheelchair most of the day. We’ve watched over the past two years as he’s progressed to using a walker for 70 to 80 percent of the day. The weekly therapy and redevelopment of his trunk control has helped him immensely.” — Parent of an NCEFT Veteran Physical Therapy Client

“I credit my ongoing recovery first to my wife and daughters, but also to the patient and tolerant horses and staff of NCEFT. I found the relationship with the horses and staff to be unique in how it helped me deal with the challenges I face.” — Veteran Physical Therapy Client

“NCEFT has become a very special place of healing for our family. Our daughter is 8 and has Rett Syndrome. She started riding at NCEFT 4 years ago and has been making slow and steady progress toward walking. Our daughter has to work at everything and by far this is her favorite place to do it. I love getting to see her interact with the fantastic staff and relax as she works with the horse. Our youngest has come to love the beautiful surroundings, kind staff and play area. It is her favorite appointment to go to and she goes to a lot. Our weekly trip to NCEFT is a bright spot and completely worth the long drive (45 mins.) to get there. The program is well managed and the staff is the best in the business!” — Parent of Physical Therapy Client

“My daughter has been going to NCEFT for a year and a half. She started at the age of two and I believe is still the youngest rider there! She has developmental delays with no diagnosis at this time and has every doctor watching over her. It was her neurologist that recommended horse riding therapy and I am so thankful that we discovered NCEFT. My daughter has therapy daily and this is by far her absolute favorite therapy that we attend every week. She cannot walk just yet, but is making tremendous strides and is getting stronger every week. I know one day she will be running to the arena to get on her horse! I am so grateful for the staff, volunteers and everyone at NCEFT that make this such an amazing place! The horses are very well cared for and the facility is well kept. It is such a welcoming environment and a beautiful location. The therapists and staff are all so caring and friendly. I highly recommend NCEFT to anyone that is looking into horse riding therapy!!” — Parent of Physical Therapy Client

“As a healthcare provider, horseman, and board member of NCEFT, my experience has now come full circle by becoming a patient. I fractured my neck in a horse competition in 2011 and was paralyzed. After a lengthy stint in a spine rehab unit and six months of daily therapy, I started treatment at NCEFT. My prognosis upon discharge from the spine center was wheelchair use for the remainder of my life. Today, I am no longer using the wheelchair, am able to walk with canes, and am also an independent rider/horseman with aspirations of returning to competition, which I did in 2014. I believe that the care provided by NCEFT was (and is) the key reason that I am able to walk today. I believe that the balance and core strengthening components of hippotherapy changed my outcome and are largely responsible for the “miracle” (my neurosurgeon’s word) that I am able to walk today. NCEFT is truly where miracles can and do happen. I encourage you to support this organization, so that others may achieve their potential and gain freedom from their limitations.” — Physical Therapy Client and NCEFT Board Chair

“I can’t say enough good things about this organization, its volunteers, staff and equine partners. For the last six years they have supported my son physically and emotionally, building his skills with steady assurance and good humor, supporting him through his ups and downs, and always alert to finding a constructive path. This kind of dedication and purpose is exceptional, heartwarming and hopeful. Apart from the wonder of being on, beside and around the horses, it’s good to be among such great role models. I wish them all success.” — Parent of Physical Therapy Client

“I am convinced that my son has achieved so much more in his recovery as a result of working with the horses and staff at NCEFT. He has traumatic brain injury as the result of an accident. When he initially started at NCEFT many in the medical community did not believe that he would ever walk, although they were optimistic. Through the tireless work of the occupational therapists and with the undying love of the horses he now not only walks but can ride a bike and is able to participate in races at his school. Our entire family appreciates the work that continues to be accomplished by our friends at NCEFT. Our lives would be much less rich without them!” — Parent of Occupational Therapy Client

Horsemanship Academy Program

“First time ever touching a horse in my life. Very cool experience, I’ll be back!” — Veteran Client, Horsemanship Academy Program for the Visually Impaired

“This has been the highlight of my program so far at WBRC” (Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at VA Palo Alto Health Care System) — Veteran Client, Horsemanship Academy Program for the Visually Impaired

“Very interesting. I learned a lot about horses that I didn’t know.” — Veteran Client, Horsemanship Academy Program for the Visually Impaired

“This made my day” — Veteran Client, Horsemanship Academy Program for the Visually Impaired

“Working with NCEFT has provided our veterans from the WBRC (Western Blind Rehabilitation Center) with vast therapeutic benefits including emotional support secondary to being around the horses, learning about them, interacting with them, grooming them, feeling a greater sense of comfort and safety around them etc. Additionally, the experience of being in such a beautiful environment we have found contributes to an overall increase in mood and decrease in stress. It also invites the opportunity to reminisce about past memories and the opportunity to work on their orientation and mobility skills with their assistive devices navigating different types of terrain. We also greatly appreciate Matt and Scott’s expertise and support to the contribution of such a therapeutic experience overall. This program helps improve the quality of their lives, and we feel thankful that you all choose to serve and give back to our veterans who have served our country.” — Recreational Therapist, Department of Veterans Affairs

Adaptive Riding Program

“When I began to go blind, there were less and less things I could do. I could no longer drive or ride my bicycle. Coming to NCEFT and riding gives me the feeling that there are still things I can do. The horse has his own eyes, and he’s like a guide horse for me. When I leave here, I feel like I’ve accomplished something.” – NCEFT Veteran Adaptive Riding Client

“Derek is a retired Marine Corp Captain. He suffered a brain injury shortly after his 25th birthday, which left him in a coma for 60 days and with a bleak prognosis of making any meaningful recovery. Even after he miraculously regained consciousness, Derek has had to relearn to eat, drink, walk, and talk, and unfortunately he still needs help with many daily living tasks. While an inpatient at the VA Hospital, we were given information about NCEFT’s hippotherapy program. Derek had no interest in NCEFT as he had never ridden a horse and he was apprehensive to try something new that would make him feel vulnerable and further expose his post injury deficits. Thankfully, we were able to persuade Derek to at least visit NCEFT and he was won over almost immediately by therapy horse, Cowboy. Derek has been a regular client at NCEFT ever since that first lesson in 2008, and is currently part of the Adaptive Riding program. NCEFT has helped Derek physically (improving his strength and balance), cognitively (learning riding patterns and horsemanship), and emotionally (the connection with the horses and the amazing staff at NCEFT has given him so much confidence). NCEFT has and continues to be an important part of our family, and we’re so grateful for the improved quality of life it has given to Derek.” -– Spouse of an NCEFT Veteran Adaptive Riding Client

“The equine-assisted programs that NCEFT provides for our veterans with serious mental illness has been invaluable. For several of our veterans, attending NCEFT programming is the highlight of their week. The opportunity for them to be outdoors, with a gentle creature, and gaining knowledge about horses that transfer into basic social/human interactions is incredible. We have had many testimonials from our vets on how meaningful and impactful these programs are for them. NCEFT’s horse handlers, equine educators, and volunteers are so valuable for all they provide.” -– Recreational Therapist, VA Palo Alto Health Care Services

“My son came to NCEFT 4 years ago with low tone issues from his disability. He has made incredible progress in strengthening his core and finding stability for his trunk. The staff at NCEFT has been supportive and helpful with all Liam’s needs since his first day. He has made enough progress that he can now participate in the other horsemanship activities such as tacking, un-tacking, feeding and general care of the animals. This has given him a real sense of confidence around large animals and how to take care of them. Thank you NCEFT!” — Parent of Adaptive Riding Client

“Nothing lifts the spirit of a special needs parent like seeing their child, taller than they ever imagined, stronger than they knew, sauntering along on one of Earth’s most beautiful creatures, with gifted and compassionate people right beside them, making certain they work hard, have fun, and return to Earth again safe and sound.” – Parent of Adaptive Riding Client