About Children's TherAplay
The Children's TherAplay Foundation is a not-for-profit pediatric outpatient clinic just north of Indianapolis that serves children with special needs. But that’s just the beginning of the story.
This is one of the few clinics in the country dedicated to providing physical and occupational therapies on horseback, through an innovative treatment strategy called hippotherapy. And it is life-changing for both the children we serve and for their families.
Our StoryThe Children’s TherAplay Foundation came from the most unlikely of beginnings. In 2000, an Indianapolis-area occupational therapist contacted Craig Dobbs, owner of Lucky Farms, about borrowing some of the Lucky horses to help special needs children utilizing an innovative form of treatment called hippotherapy.
Blessed with four children of his own, Craig was happy share some of Lucky Farms' resources to help children in need, especially when he began to see for himself what the therapist had told him to begin with: Hippotherapy works.
In 2001, Children's TherAplay became a not-for-profit organization, still on the grounds of Lucky Farms. In the ensuing years, Children's TherAplay founder Craig and other caring individuals helped expand not only the facility, building the therapy clinic and administrative offices we still use to this day, but also the program.
Today we are proud to offer pediatric physical and occupational therapy, both using the tool of hippotherapy, to 170 children each week. Each day we are honored to contribute to and celebrate the first steps, first words, first jumps, and other remarkable gains of Central Indiana children who have special needs.
The mission of The Children's TherAplay Foundation is to provide children with special needs a foundation for developing life skills through innovative therapies, including equine-assisted physical and occupational therapies, in a safe and caring environment.
The Children's TherAplay Foundation is the nationally renowned leader and educator in equine-assisted therapy, which is enthusiastically endorsed as an effective treatment tool for children with special needs.
Children's TherAplay collaborates with organizations that share our passion for improving the lives of those we serve. By providing a warm and supportive environment, we help children and their families achieve their goals and dreams.
Why does it matter that Children's TherAplay is a United Way of Central Indiana partner agency?
United Way agency partners must go through a certification process, ensuring each program is fully vetted and certified. The United Way partner agency logo guarantees your contributions are being used wisely and appropriately.
We're proud to say Children's TherAplay has received the highest rating possible in this intensive evaluation, and to be an official partner agency of the United Way of Central Indiana.
The Children's TherAplay Foundation is committed to the inclusion of and full participation by all persons in the achievement of its mission. It is the belief of all associated with Children's TherAplay that bringing together different experiences, beliefs, and cultures allows us to collectively and more effectively serve our constituents, our community, and our world.
Children's TherAplay will provide equal opportunity in the delivery of services and in employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, gender or sexual orientation. Further, Children's TherAplay shall, to the fullest extent possible, refrain from making financial or contractual commitments to any other agency, organization, business, or industry which practices, condones, or perpetuates discrimination in employment and/or provision of services.
[Children's TherAplay is] the best thing that we could probably do for Catalina right now. …
She doesn’t even know she’s going for therapy. For her it’s a play time.
– Catalina’s mother, Beatriz
Success Story: Meet Catalina
“Our children's faces light up when we walk into Children’s TherAplay each week. We are so thankful for the opportunity to have this wonderful service in our community.”
- Makenna and Maison's mother
Success Story: Makenna and Maison
It is amazing the difference Children's TherAplay will make in your child. I’m so amazed. ...
It’s phenomenal – it’s supportive and encouraging. There aren’t enough words.
Children's TherAplay is just amazing for these kids.
– Olivia’s mother, Jana
Success Story: Meet Olivia
There are so many easy and enjoyable ways.
Get involved
In alignment with the Governor's staged approach to reopen business throughout the state of Indiana, The Children's TherAplay Board of Directors voted to reopen our facility on Tuesday, May 26 with restrictions.
We will continue to offer telehealth services to current TherAplay families in supplement with in-person therapy. For a full list of Children's TherAplay Health and Safety Guidelines, click here.
Your support matters. We are committed to supporting our employees and their families during this difficult time by continuing with their weekly compensation for as long as we can; however, we are relying on charitable contributions to make this possible. Please invest in Children's TherAplay now to ensure we're able to pick up where we left off, with the staff who make our mission extraordinary!