By Karen Coppock
Flanked by the Occupational Therapist and two volunteers, the boy balanced in the saddle as the horse was led around the ring. His joy at being able to ride was apparent. “He loves it,” his mother said. When asked about his favorite part of the experience, she smiled and replied that he loves everything about riding at Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR).
Founded by Lynn Petr in 1987, STAR began as a Therapeutic Riding (TR) program for children and adults with disabilities. Last year, the program served more than 1,500 individuals from nine counties. STAR has two locations: the main base on 63 acres in Lenoir City and a smaller facility in South Knoxville.
Their motto, “Healing through Horses,” describes the partnership among individuals, families, volunteers, and staff – and with STAR’s 31 horses. Lynn, also STAR’s Executive Director, noted that the needs of the riders must be carefully matched to the horses through initial screening. Additionally, the sessions often require two to three volunteers per rider to keep the riders and horses safe, although some individuals are able to ride independently.
TR involves more than simply riding a pony. Riders learn skills such as grooming and tacking the horses before the ride. TR can be especially beneficial for individuals with physical disabilities because the rhythmic motion the horse provides is similar to walking. This gives riders a chance to develop balance, flexibility, and strength, as the young rider mentioned above has experienced. Additionally, helping care for the horses can help individuals learn “soft skills”; these activities include learning how to interact with other people and horses.
Throughout the years, STAR has continued the TR mission, but the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has also expanded the number of programs providing horse-related experiences to people who face other challenges. STAR’s activities have grown organically, according to Lynn. As staff members or program partners became aware of particular needs or opportunities, she said, “They would ask, ‘Can you do something about this?’ Yes, we can!”
STAR’s STRIDES program (see sidebar) encompasses three programs: Changing STRIDES, Stable Friends, and Aligning STRIDES.
In Changing STRIDES, at-risk youth learn life skills and how to better manage their lives and emotions through working with horses. Horses typically respond better when people around them are calm, controlled, and confident but not overbearing. To be able to work with the horses, the teens must learn how to relax and project those attributes so the horses will work with them. These experiences and other exercises help the teens learn problem solving, better communication skills, anger management, and confidence.
Stable Friends is an equine experience for preteens and teens that began after the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020. While not a therapy group, this program emphasizes stress reduction skills and relaxation while working with the STAR horses. Working with horses requires being alert and fully present, which can provide relief from anxiety or stress. As Lynn noted, “The barn is such a calming, healing, in-the-moment place.” Other benefits include physical exercise, outdoor time, and supportive relationships with the horses, volunteers, and their peers.
Aligning STRIDES is part of an initiative STAR has with the Loudon County Mental Health Alliance and Align 9 for individuals in recovery from addiction who are training to become peer counselors. Using the STRIDES program values (see sidebar), the instructors set up scenarios that involve caring for the horses to help participants learn to better communicate, manage their emotions, and relate to others.
Another STAR program is Heroes & Horses, which is for veterans who have disabilities such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD, amputation, and other conditions. In both riding and ground class components of the program, veterans partner with horses to gain physical strength and reduce stress. Through the generous donations of individuals, local corporations, and the Wounded Warrior Project, the program is free for disabled veterans. Call or check the STAR website for more details and availability.
In STAR’s Minis in Motion program, staff and volunteers take miniature horses and donkeys to visit local Alzheimer’s/memory care facilities, as well as local schools, camps, and other organizations.
The Reflections program is an adjunct of Minis in Motion. Sponsored by the Pat Summit Foundation, people with early and middle stage Alzheimer’s and their caregivers can come to STAR to interact with the horses and volunteers. Under the direction of a certified STAR staff member, the program aims to provide calming, positive experiences that promote language and social interaction skills (RideatStar.org).
STAR currently employs 12 full-time and eight part-time staff members. However, horses are expensive! STAR staff offsets some of those expenses by putting up their own hay, doing much of the lighter veterinary work, and relying on a wonderful team of more than 400 volunteers.
With more than 160 people on the waitlist, STAR staff wants to increase services. Lynn said they are good stewards of the horses and facilities and want to retain a great staff. The 47-acre South Knoxville property was donated by a generous partner of the program. However, the property is not ADA compliant, so it’s not yet suitable for individuals with mobility issues. When that property is updated, STAR can expand its offerings in these areas, including partnering with inner-city programs with Changing STRIDES.
Lynn and staff members have written numerous grant proposals and raised funds to offset costs and provide new opportunities for the community. Because of these grants, donations, and fundraisers, and thanks to the generosity of individuals, organizations, and businesses, participants pay a much reduced fee. “We don’t want money to be the stumbling block,” Lynn emphasized.
STAR’s upcoming fundraising events include Bridles and Blue Jeans (April 22) and Nashville Songwriters in the Round (August 19). Lynn said they are always grateful for donations (including suitable horses) and volunteer help.
If you’re interested in more information or ways to help, please contact STAR at 865-988-4711, visit their website at RideatStar.org, or find them on Instagram @RideatStar or Facebook at Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding.
Karen is a native East Tennessean and proud UT Knoxville grad. She is a retired top-producing Realtor and a writer and editor who, along with her husband, enjoys UT sports and travel.