The 1:1 Challenge Grant by the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida will be matched by both Diane Graham of the Duval Motor Company (in memory of Mr. Henry “Tip” Graham, the original visionary for an equine therapy program) and by the Marchman Charity Foundation.
 
H.O.R.S.E. is an acronym for Helping Others Rehabilitate through the Service of Equines. H.O.R.S.E. Therapies is a non-profit program that aims to provide cost-effective access to equine-assisted activities and therapy, initially focusing on:

• Children and families at high risk with health disparity
• Veterans with trauma/post-traumatic stress disorder
• Adolescents and young adults at high risk for failure and illness
• Individuals and groups for whom traditional therapeutic models are not effective

 
These funds will help Jacksonville Equestrian Center (JEC) achieve its goals of implementing a large-scale program, starting with mental health therapies and therapeutic riding, as described in the original 2001 Master Plan. A therapeutic riding program, as described in the original 2001 Master Plan, is being brought to fruition by the Northeast Florida Equestrian Society (the not-for-profit group that manages the JEC) in partnership with the University of North Florida (UNF) Brooks College of Health under the guidance of Dr. Carlene Taylor, Clinical Assistant Professor at UNF. This program will open to the public in September.
Council Member Randy White said, “The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is a special place in District 12 and with the addition of this wonderful program, we are excited and look forward to the difference it will make in the lives of many within our community. Thank you to the JEC Board for seeing this to fruition.”
 
For more information, please visit jaxhorsetherapies.org.
  
About PRCS: The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) serves diverse populations of all ages and abilities through recreation activities and programs, conservation and marine resources, sports and entertainment, senior services, social services, disabled services, and extension services serving approximately 900,000 residents in Duval County. PRCS offers over 400 parks and recreational spaces. For more information, please visit COJ.net/departments/parks-and-recreation.