Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS), a leading human service organization dedicated to protecting the mental health and well-being of New York state residents, has announced the opening of its newly constructed indoor arena and group therapy space.
The new arena was constructed with the grant funding awarded to THS through DASNY, New York state’s capital project development authority, through the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program (NICIP).
The 2024 NICIP round was launched by Governor Kathy Hochul to make targeted investments throughout the state that improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of nonprofit human services organizations like THS and so many others. THS was selected as an awardee in April. Construction of the new arena began mid-June. New Indoor Arena and Group Therapy Space:
Thanks to the NICIP grant funds, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga has constructed a state-of-the-art indoor arena and group therapy space. This facility will enable the organization to expand its essential services throughout all four seasons, meeting the growing demand for intervention-based equine-assisted psychotherapy programs.
“We are thrilled to unveil our new indoor arena, which represents a significant step forward in our mission to support mental health in our community. With this facility, we can now offer our services year-round, ensuring that more individuals and families can benefit from the healing power of equine-assisted psychotherapy,” said Dr. Erin C. Sisk, founder of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga
“DASNY is proud to support Governor Hochul’s work to help nonprofit organizations all across New York deliver critical, local services that are tailored to support their communities. The innovative programs of Therapeutic Horses is a perfect fit for the Saratoga community, and I am pleased that our organization is able to play a part in supporting their important work,” said Robert J. Rodriguez, president of DASNY
Currently serving approximately 60 clients and providing 680 therapy sessions annually, the new facility will allow Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Inc. to expand its reach. Following the completion of this project, the organization anticipates increasing its support to approximately 100 individuals and offering around 1,200 therapy sessions annually.
The new pre-fabricated building features an open equine arena for therapy sessions and an adjoining group meeting area. This will facilitate interactions and activities between horses and human participants, as well as provide space for discussions on mental health concerns and treatment needs.