Client Testimonials
“H”: A decade of growth, community and healing
My son “H” has been a Brady Therapeutic Riding client for over a decade. “H” first came to Brady in early elementary school. At that time, “H” had been newly diagnosed with autism in addition to his existing diagnoses that included developmental delay and hypotonia (global muscle tone issues). When I first signed up “H” for Brady’s programs, I was relieved to find a local adaptive riding program which could be a supplement to his weekly physical therapy regime. I had absolutely no idea how incredibly life changing being part of this program would become - not just for our son- but even more so for our entire family!
Fast forward to today - “H” is now at a point where he can participate in Brady's vocational skills program for young adults with disabilities to learn vital soft skills that will help him in the workplace when he is ready. “H” knows his own way around the barn and the horses so well now (and only requires light supervision for safety reasons). I would never have imagined he would have the cognitive nor physical capability to perform these tasks 10 years ago when he first started the program.
“H” has also greatly benefited from interacting weekly with the staff, volunteers and clients at Brady - learning important social skills in a safe and loving environment. In fact, our whole family has made lasting intimate connections with the Brady staff and community. These friendships have helped us weather some incredibly difficult life circumstances from debilitating medical issues to systems involvement and court cases. The Brady staff and community has been there through it all with our family and we felt so very supported and cared for in those dark hours and in our recovery time.
Sarah Meakin and her team are simply put - miracle workers. I truly believe the Brady program and its equines have special healing “superpowers.” Sarah and her team truly understand trauma and what it takes to heal and be restored. I have seen first hand how the various Brady programs have deeply touched anyone and everyone who visits - from a terrified foster child to a burned out special needs mom with a medically fragile child to a young adult with sensory issues to even a shy high school volunteer who needed a push to come out of his shell. I have witnessed a systems impacted guardian start crying as she was helping clean horse manure in the paddock because of how peaceful and beautiful it was to be at Brady that day. This is what I mean by the healing “superpowers” of Brady Riding. Everyone comes away feeling just a bit lighter in their step than when they arrived.