The capitol halls were visited today by Sunny the horse. “Born” in 2008, she isn’t your typical horse. She is an equicizer, a mechanical horse used for training, practice or exercise as well as therapy for individuals with disabilities, all within a safe and controlled environment. The non-profit organization, On Eagles’ Wings Therapeutic Riding Center, from Fairmont displayed Sunny along with their unique therapy program to members of the Legislature.
Established in 2007, the mission of On Eagles’ Wings is to provide a safe environment for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to enrich and enhance their lives through equine assisted activities and therapies. The movement of a horse stimulates the same muscles on a person as walking would, and these motions positively affect the physical, cognitive and sensory systems in a person.
On Eagles’ Wings takes this principle and applies it through several types of equine assisted activities along with the guidance of the farm’s owner, Carol Petitto, certified instructors Patty Harman, Erika James and Beth Rine, and through volunteers of all ages. The group and instructors are certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, the governing body for all equine assisted activities and therapies.
