Children arrive at Storybook Farm and are greeted by the smiles of our dedicated staff and volunteers. They stroll through the barn meeting the horses and ponies. Each child is paired with a horse or pony that will be his or her therapist and friend for the whole session.

Giggles sprinkle the air when the children learn that all of the four-legged therapists have storybook names—Stuart Little, Huckleberry Finn, Johnny Appleseed, Tom Sawyer, Paddington Bear, Humpty Dumpty, Sherlock Holmes, Oliver Twist, Atticus Finch, Baloo, Friar Tuck, Hercules, Captain Hook, and Gulliver's Travels.

The first day of each session is spent on the ground, becoming familiar with the barn and the horses and learning about safety. The children are taught how to groom the horses and lead them.

The children ride for the first time on the second day of the session. Each group has a maximum of five children to allow for personal attention and the highest safety standards. The ponies are led to a mounting ramp where the child eagerly waits. He or she mounts the pony with the aid of the staff and volunteers, and is led to the riding ring. Each child is accompanied by a leader and one or two sidewalkers.

As he or she enters the riding ring, the child begins the lesson that has been planned by a certified instructor. The lesson may include stretching, games, navigating horses through mazes, relay races, basketball, musical poles and scavenger hunts. New activities are added each week.

After the mounted part of the session is complete, the child dismounts, feeds the pony a treat and begins a special activity such as arts and crafts, story time, or learning from our interesting speakers.

The lessons are unique to each child and always filled with fun and laughter.