DESIGN E DITOR’S PICKS


FIELD OF DREAMS


Equest holds several fund-raising events throughout the year, including a gala in April, with the help of dedicat- ed volunteers, like honorary co-chairs Lynn and Allan McBee and co-chairs Kathy and Jeromy Fielder.


124 DSD


“Walk on.” Like clockwork the horse steps away from the mounting block and enters the open arena. An entourage of volunteers accompanies the rider around the arena, over poles and in between cones. Caretakers snap photos each time they pass by, like eager paparazzi. High fives are given by the instructor and therapist when class concludes, but the hard work doesn’t end when the rider dismounts. The riders at Equest face physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning challenges and include veterans transitioning into civilian life. This is Equest, a nonprofit


organization that provides equine facilitated activities, therapies and counseling to children and adults. Founded in 1981, for the last 36 years


Equest has offered a long list of physical and occupational therapies, equine facilitated counseling, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horseman- ship, equine facilitated learning and competition. Equest was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country. Equest was also named “2015 Nonprofit of the Year” by CNM Connect. With the help of 45 therapy horses, 10 instructors, four therapists, two counselors and more than 400 volunteers, lives are changed on a daily basis. More than 1,200 clients and over 1,000 community students are served annually. The results are nothing short of astounding. Last year, 100 percent of the client survey respondents re-


ported a significantly improved quality of life due to Equest and its programs, which provide in- dependent skills that carry over into clients’ everyday lives. One of the organization’s


fastest growing programs is Equest’s Hooves for Heroes, which offers services to veter- ans, first responders and their immediate family members. Utilizing the healing power of the human-horse connection, Equest is committed to serving those in need regardless of their ability to pay. Equest subsidizes 86 percent of programming costs for its clients, offers addi- tional tuition scholarships, and covers 100 percent of the ex- penses for all veterans and their families. This is made possible by the generosity of individuals and grants.


Equest’s CEO, Lili Kellogg, says: “The 2017 gala was led by a dream team of two inspirational couples who have great vision, business savvy and widespread connections. Equest’s 2017 fund-raising goal is $300,000 [net], and I’m confident that this powerhouse team will meet, if not exceed, our expectations. The couples’ magnetism is infectious.” Beginning this summer Equest will make its permanent home at the Texas Horse Park just south of Dallas. The Texas Horse Park is a city-owned, 304- acre site located in the heart of the Great Trinity Forest. Equest at Texas Horse Park has 38 stalls, a covered arena, outdoor arena and 6,000 square feet of administration and therapy space. This summer Equest will be adding a new state-of-the-art arena funded by Al Hill Jr., which will increase opportunities to serve more clients and amplify outreach programming in the Dallas community. From children with learning disabilities to veterans, Equest provides a service that consis- tently results in healing, happiness and smiles. 972-412-1099, equest.org


Photograph courtesy of Equest


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