Runnin' WJ Ranch

TEXARKANA, Texas -- The Runnin' WJ Ranch celebrated 25 years of riding and its history of equine-assisted services for special needs children and adults on Saturday.

Director Brittany Rogers said the open house was also a back-to-horse therapy class bash since classes begin in October.

Rogers said they see small miracles everyday with equine-assisted activities. Horses have the same movements as we do when walking, so, it helps riders with muscles, emotional, social and physical challenges and with speech and communication, by talking with peers.

Settled on 70 acres, in Texarkana, Texas, the nonprofit has proven to be an asset for the special needs community, sponsoring events and offering the love of the horse that these riders experience after they start classes.

For instance, 5-year-old Lyla's mom, Shelby Scott, said she was grateful for the benefits of the program for her daughter, after one season of horse therapy and she has her daughter registered again for this season.

Scott says she would highly recommend this program to other parents of special needs children.

"We told her (Lyla) we were going to start riding again; she's been asking about it since we stopped riding last season, so she hasn't forgotten," said 
Scott. "As far as other things, I think the confidence just kind of flows into all of it; with riding, it helps her with her agility and kind of her coordination, which is something she struggles with a little bit; and then speech too, just the communication and other people working with her and I think the people here are very patient, very kind and that always helps." 
 
Lyla's favorite is a miniature horse named Jelly Bean.
 
More events are upcoming during their 25th year, said Rogers.
 
For more information on the Runnin' WJ Ranch, visit its website or social media.