Stoneybrook Foundation: Organizational and Program Description
Overview
Stoneybrook Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being of individuals through the power of equine-assisted services. As a 501(c)(3) organization based in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Stoneybrook serves individuals and families across Westmoreland, Allegheny, and Fayette counties.
Our mission is to provide inclusive, accessible, and high-quality equine-assisted programs that foster growth, healing, independence, and connection. We serve a diverse population including children, adults, veterans, and individuals with physical, developmental, emotional, and neurological challenges.
At the heart of Stoneybrook’s work is the belief that horses offer a unique and powerful pathway for connection and transformation. Through carefully designed, participant-centered programming, we create opportunities for individuals to build confidence, develop life skills, and experience joy in a safe and supportive environment.
Program Philosophy and Approach
Stoneybrook Foundation utilizes a holistic, relationship-based approach grounded in experiential learning and trauma-informed care. Our programs are designed to meet participants where they are, honoring each individual’s abilities, goals, and lived experiences.
Horses serve as partners in this work—not tools—providing immediate, honest feedback and opportunities for connection that are difficult to replicate in traditional settings. Through both mounted and unmounted interactions, participants develop trust, communication skills, emotional regulation, and self-awareness.
Our team includes trained instructors, volunteers, and equine professionals who prioritize safety, ethical horsemanship, and participant well-being. We adhere to industry best practices and continually invest in staff training to ensure high-quality service delivery.
Core Programs
Therapeutic Riding Program
Stoneybrook’s Therapeutic Riding Program provides adaptive horseback riding lessons for individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, and developmental disabilities.
Participants work one-on-one or in small groups with certified instructors and trained volunteers. Lessons are tailored to individual goals, which may include improving balance, coordination, muscle strength, communication skills, and confidence.
The movement of the horse closely mimics the human gait, offering unique physical benefits that support core strength, posture, and motor planning. Beyond physical gains, participants often experience increased self-esteem, independence, and emotional well-being.
Our program serves riders of all ages and abilities, including those with diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and anxiety-related conditions.
Equine-Assisted Learning for Veterans
Stoneybrook Foundation offers specialized Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) programs for veterans, designed to support reintegration, emotional healing, and personal growth.
These ground-based sessions focus on building skills such as communication, trust, leadership, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Veterans engage in structured activities with horses that encourage reflection and insight without requiring prior horse experience.
For many veterans, traditional talk-based approaches can feel inaccessible or ineffective. EAL provides an alternative pathway—one that is experiential, nonjudgmental, and deeply engaging. Horses respond to nonverbal cues and emotional states, offering immediate feedback that helps participants develop self-awareness and coping strategies.
Participants often report reduced stress, improved mood, increased confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose and connection.
Reading with Horses Program
The Reading with Horses program is an innovative literacy initiative designed to support children who may struggle with reading, confidence, or traditional academic environments.
In this program, children read aloud to horses in a calm, supportive setting. Horses provide a nonjudgmental presence, allowing participants to practice reading without fear of criticism or pressure.
This unique environment helps reduce anxiety, build confidence, and foster a positive association with reading. The multisensory experience—combining literacy with interaction with horses—can be especially beneficial for children with learning differences, attention challenges, or autism.
Participants often demonstrate improvements in reading fluency, comprehension, and self-esteem over time.
Group Mounted and Ground-Based Activities
Stoneybrook offers a variety of group-based programs designed to promote social skills, teamwork, and personal development.
These sessions may include both mounted (riding) and unmounted (ground-based) activities, depending on participant needs and program goals. Group programming is ideal for schools, community organizations, and peer groups seeking experiential learning opportunities.
Activities are designed to encourage collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and leadership. Participants work together to complete tasks involving horse care, obstacle courses, and interactive exercises that build trust and connection.
Group programs are particularly effective for youth development, social skills training, and team-building initiatives.
Impact and Community Need
Stoneybrook Foundation addresses a critical need for accessible, inclusive therapeutic and educational services in the region. Many families face barriers to care, including cost, limited availability of specialized programs, and long waitlists.
Our organization works to remove these barriers by offering financial assistance, expanding program capacity, and maintaining a welcoming, inclusive environment for all participants.
The impact of our programs extends beyond individual participants. Families report improved quality of life, reduced stress, and increased hope for their loved ones. Veterans find community and renewed purpose. Children gain confidence and a sense of belonging.
As demand for services continues to grow, Stoneybrook remains committed to expanding access while maintaining the highest standards of care.
Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion
Stoneybrook Foundation is deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals—regardless of financial means, ability, or background—have access to our programs.
We actively work to:
Provide financial assistance and scholarships
Serve individuals with a wide range of abilities and diagnoses
Create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all participants and families
Engage diverse communities across multiple counties
Our goal is to ensure that no individual is turned away due to financial hardship or lack of access to specialized services.
Stoneybrook Foundation is more than a therapeutic riding center—it is a place of connection, growth, and transformation. Through our equine-assisted programs, we empower individuals to overcome challenges, build confidence, and discover their strengths.
By fostering meaningful relationships between humans and horses, we create opportunities for healing, learning, and joy that have lasting impact on individuals, families, and the broader community.
Tam Metni Gizle
