Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program was founded in 2009 by Julie Lovely as a non-profit organization dedicated to the enriching the lives of children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social challenges.Wild Hearts is currently operating our of Lonesome Dove Stables in Raynham, MA. In addition to therapeutic riding, as we grow we plan to offer therapeutic horsemanship, hipptherapy, equine facilitated psychotherapy, and a PATH Horses for Heroes program.
Wild Hearts is a member center of PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, formerly NARHA) and therefore we follow their rules, guidelines, safety standards, and procedures. PATH was established in 1969 and fosters safe, professional, ethical and therapeutic equine activities through education, communication, research, and standards. All of our instructors are PATH certified as well as licensed by the state of Massachusetts.
About our Founder...
Julie Lovely has been involved with therapeutic riding since she first volunteered for a local program in Upstate NY over 20 years ago. Julie earned a Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design from The College of Saint Rose, and a MBA from Babson College, but always maintained her involvement with horses and therapeutic riding despite the fact that her professional life followed a different path for many years. Finally, in September 2009, Julie decided it was time to make her long time dream a reality and founded Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program. Julie currently serves as the Massachusetts PATH State Chair. She is a PATH registered instructor, a Massachusetts licensed horseback riding instructor, and lives in West Bridgewater, MA with her husband, horses, dog, and cats.
Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program is a PATH Member Center - we adhere to PATH's rules, guidelines, safety standards and procedures.