A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE OUR VETERANS
Our nation’s freedom is preserved at a high cost by the men and women of our armed services and their families. From the beginning, Windridge has offered its programs to service personnel who have acquired a disability while in active duty or later in life. Veterans who fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm have benefited from Windridge’s equine-assisted activities and therapy programs.
In 2010 Windridge rallied behind PATH International’s efforts to strengthen our veteran program with the development of Equine Services for Heroes. Today Windridge seeks to be a part of the therapy and recreation needed by the young men and women who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
Courage, wisdom born of insight and humility, empathy born of compassion and love, all can be bequeathed by a horse to his rider.– Charles de Kunffy
OUR FOUNDATION
Margo Dewkett established Windridge in 1988 on 15 acres of land and a small wooden framed barn. She did this with a desire to use horses as a unique therapy tool for children, adults and veterans with disabilities. Windridge became a member of the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International)which established Windridge as the first center in East Texas to provide equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). In 1991 Windridge achieved its premiere accredited status with PATH Intl., which Windridge has since maintained.
Windridge’s first week of classes began on March 6, 1989 with two riders, Margo as the instructor, five volunteers and five horses.
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Windridge’s EAAT programs grew and by 1993 eighty program participants benefited from the horse’s movement. In 1997 Windridge purchased 23 acres that adjoined its original location. In May 2001, construction began on a 38,000 square foot state-of-the-art-facility. In January 2002 classes began in our newly built home, completely paid for by East Texans.
Over the years Windridge’s services have expanded to a 10 county region and more than 120 children and adults participate weekly in one of our four programs, Therapeutic Riding, Hippotherapy, Therapeutic Driving and our veteran program – Equines in Service for Heroes. Windridge employs six certified instructors and has twenty-two horses. More than 60 weekly volunteers assist instructors and program participant’s during class times, prepare horses for classes, provide the horses their general care as well as help with special projects.
The history of Windridge involves the efforts of men, women and youth who have stepped forward to give of their time, talent and monetary gifts. Combined, these gifts have changed countless lives.
Thank you, from Windridge’s Board of Directors and Staff
Not the senses I have but what I do with them is my kingdom.– Helen Keller
