The Stable Scoop: Stories From Stable Friendships

Your Monthly Dose of Healing, Hope, and Horses

Welcome Sunny ☀️ | Introducing SibShops | Launching Ask the Therapist Series

Stable Smiles: Double The Therapy, Double the Progress

Meet Brett, who’s welcoming us into his therapy session where speech and physical therapy come together for an extra-powerful impact! By combining oral motor work with gross motor skills—all while harnessing the movement of the horse—our therapists are seeing incredible progress. Watch how teamwork, movement, and a little fun create big breakthroughs! 🌟

Our News

Meet Sunny: A Bright New Addition to our Herd

We are thrilled to introduce Sunny, an 8-year-old Haflinger-Belgian Draft cross, and the newest member of our equine herd! With his calming energy and wisdom beyond his years, he’s already making an impact. Sunny’s “mom,” Patricia Steccato, isn’t just his biggest fan—she’s also one of our dedicated speech therapists and a valued board member.

Now that Sunny has completed his quarantine from traveling, we’re focused on setting him up for success in sessions. This includes practice sessions with our staff to ensure he’s comfortable, confident, and ready to support our participants. We are beyond grateful to have this special duo on this journey with us!

Not only is Patricia one of our dedicated speech therapists and a valued board member, but she’s also Sunny’s proud mom! We’re so lucky to have this dynamic duo as part of our Stable Friendships family.

Trivia Time

How many horses at Stable Friendships are owned by therapists? 

A) 100%

B) 50%

C) 25%

* Scroll to the very bottom for the answer *

Introducing SibShops: Support for Siblings

We’re excited to launch Sibshops, a fun and supportive program designed specifically for the siblings of kids with disabilities. While much focus is placed on children receiving services, siblings often have the longest-lasting relationship with their brother or sister—and they need support, too!

Sibshops provide a lively, recreational setting where siblings can:
✔️ Meet other sibs who understand their experiences
✔️ Have fun through engaging games and activities
✔️ Talk openly about the ups and downs of having a sibling with support needs
✔️ Gain tools for handling tricky situations
✔️ Learn more about the services their siblings receive

Sibshops are offered around the world and are built on a trusted, research-backed curriculum. We’re thrilled to bring this program to our community and create a space where siblings can feel supported, connected, and—most importantly—have fun!

📅 Our first Sibshops session will be held on March 2nd!
📩 To sign up or learn more, contact [email protected]

A warm welcome from the goats at Special Strides—because every visit starts with a little farm charm!

Launching Ask the Therapist: Empowering Parents

We’re excited to introduce Ask the Therapist, a new series designed to support and empower parents by providing expert guidance on therapy-related topics. Led by our experienced occupational therapist and founder, Laura Merino, OT, these sessions create a welcoming space for parents to ask questions, gain insight, and feel more confident navigating their child’s therapy journey.

🌟 Join us for our free bilingual virtual conversation with Laura! 🌟
Laura has 10 years of experience working with children in schools, clinics, and homes. She is also currently working in hippotherapy, bringing her expertise to equine-assisted therapy.

📅 Our first session will be held on February 22nd at 4:00 PM!
🔗 Register in advance here: Register Now
📩 Have questions? Email Laura directly at [email protected]

We can’t wait to kick off this exciting initiative and provide families with valuable knowledge and support!

Ways to Support Us

Spread the Word: Help us raise awareness about the healing power of horsemanship by sharing our mission with your friends, family, and social media networks. GUESS WHAT?! You can use the icons at the top of this email to seamlessly share our content via email, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Together, let’s amplify our message and make a lasting difference!

Volunteer with us : We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to join our team. Whether you have experience with horses or prefer to support us in other ways, there are positions available for everyone

Online Donations : Your financial support helps us maintain our programs and reach more individuals in need. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact.

Hoofprints of Hope Campaign: Our Hoofprints of Hope campaign is still running! This is more than just a fundraiser; it's a chance to leave your mark and help us create new, life-changing friendships through the power of equine therapy. Join us in making a difference by contributing to this impactful campaign

Trivia Answer: Answer: 100%! 🐴💙

Every horse at Stable Friendships is owned by a therapist! Our team is dedicated to ensuring that our equine partners are not just here for work—they are part of our family. Their well-being, happiness, and care are always a top priority. ❤️