Building Community Beyond the Saddle

How Cassie and Lauren Found Friendship Through PFP

Community and Partners for Progress

At Partners for Progress, we see the impact of our equine therapy programs extend far beyond the benefits experienced by our riders. As parents and caregivers gather to watch their children work with our therapy horses, something truly special happens – they connect. These quiet moments in our lobby often turn into opportunities for families to bond, share their unique stories, and offer support to one another. In a world where raising a child with different abilities can sometimes feel isolating, the relationships formed here become a source of strength, understanding, and friendship.

How It Started

Take Lauren, for example. Three years ago, she brought her daughter, Vera, to 

PFP after a recommendation from their therapist, our beloved Karin. Having this 

familiar connection between the therapy settings has been invaluable, not only for Vera's physical progress but also for her social development. Karin has become a trusted figure in Vera's life, fostering a sense of continuity that makes each session more than just therapy – it's an experience rooted in comfort and connection. 

For Lauren, PFP has provided more than a therapeutic outlet for her daughter. It’s given her a sense of belonging in a community of parents who understand the unique challenges of raising children with special needs.

The Journey

One year after Lauren and Vera joined, another family walked through our doors – Cassie and her son, Rocco. Their children ride at the same time, which gave Lauren and Cassie the perfect opportunity to get to know each other. Week after week, as Vera and Rocco worked with their horses, Lauren and Cassie would chat, sharing their experiences and hardships. Over time, they found comfort in knowing they weren’t alone. What started as casual conversations in our lobby grew into a real friendship – one that now extends beyond PFP to birthday parties, playdates, and more.

For Rocco, the changes since joining PFP have been remarkable. Cassie has noticed how much more social and confident he’s become since starting his sessions two years ago. 

Like Vera, Rocco has found a space at PFP where he not only works on his physical and communication skills but also finds joy in riding. It’s become his hobby – his own extracurricular activity, just like his siblings’ sports teams. It’s a place where he feels free to express himself and a place where he belongs.

The Impact

This is the heart of what makes PFP so special. We’re not just a place for physical therapy – 

we’re a community. For parents like Lauren and Cassie, it’s a space where they can connect with other families who understand what it’s like to navigate the world with a child who has unique needs. They share advice, offer encouragement, and sometimes just listen. And for children like Vera and Rocco, it’s a place where they can grow, both physically and emotionally, through the power of horseback riding.

At PFP, our programs foster connection – between rider and horse, therapist and client, and perhaps most importantly, between families. That’s the real magic of what we do here. It’s more than therapy. It’s building a community and a culture that fosters empathetic relationships for parents and children.