EquiFriends - our story
EquiFriends was incorporated in April 1989 and began operation at White Swan Ranch near Monroe, Washington in Snohomish County. The use of a stable and small arena were donated until 1993, when EquiFriends began paying lease for the facility. In August 1996, the Board of Directors voted to relocate the program and to lease part of Warren Wood Farms in Snohomish, Washington. We moved to our current location, Le Chevaux stables, in 2002.
Providing therapeutic horse activities forty weeks per year, EquiFriends continues to be the only center for therapeutic horseback riding and driving for the disabled in Snohomish County. Our current facility is providing an opportunity to enhance the quality of the program; to encourage and develop more collaboration and partnership activities with other human service organizations; and to accommodate the growing need in the community for therapeutic equine activities.
The 501 ( c) (3) tax exemption status was approved in 1990 by the IRS. In 1991, after applying for and passing a strict accreditation process, EquiFriends became an accredited member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). EquiFriends is now a Premier accredited program with NARHA. Although not governed by NARHA, EquiFriends, as an accredited member, adheres to regulated and approved safe and effective standards for therapeutic horse activities and instruction for people with disabilities. Through NARHA the program receives an affordable insurance premium; and the instructors can achieve the required therapeutic instructor training, certification and continuing education which qualifies them to teach in the program.
EquiFriends is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is operated by an Executive Director and a small staff. Horses are acquired by donation or are on-loan to the program.
Read about the beginning of EquiFriends.