STAR's Mission
The mission of STAR is to foster personal achievement by providing therapeutic experiences using horse related activities for persons with disabilities or other special challenges.
STAR is a 501(c)3 organization and holds premier accreditation from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.).
STAR is a 501(c)3 organization and holds premier accreditation from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.).
#HealingThroughHorses
Because of amazing community support STAR is celebrating 32 years of “Healing Through Horses” in East Tennessee at two sites - Lenoir City and South Knoxville. While most people are aware of our Therapeutic Riding, Changing STRIDES and Minis in Motion programs, we also serve veterans in our Heroes and Horses program. The goal of Heroes and Horses is to empower these amazing men and women to believe in themselves and their abilities as they struggle to fit into life outside of the military. Studies show that up to 27% of military veterans suffer some form of PTSD and that shadow can grip them with such fear that the very thought of going out into public is paralyzing. We have found through the gentle nurturing world of the horse and fellow veteran volunteers, individuals respond and learn ways to cope in spite of their challenges.
STAR Heroes participant Corey H. describes his experiences… “It has helped me to deal with everyday life and being in public. It’s hard to explain how it feels. I can take what I do working with the horses, to help me cope with the outside world. I look forward to coming and riding my horse Mater every week and the strong bond of veteran fellowship. I even quit my job and found a new job that would work around my riding sessions because the program has been the best therapy for me.”
STAR Heroes & Horses instructor Robin Bowen has seen great progress in Corey. “The confidence and development Corey has displayed in his time riding at STAR is truly amazing. Veterans like Corey come into the program with fear and discomfort and the horses break through all that.”
Whether the wounds are physical or emotional, for 10 years STAR has seen great progress in the veteran participants we serve. In 2019, STAR provided 375 hours of programming yet we have never charged these veterans as it is our mission to serve these men and women who have given so much to our country. We ask for your gift to continue helping veterans like Corey as well as the deserving participants in the other programs at STAR. Together we can continue to change lives one hoof beat at a time!
STAR Heroes participant Corey H. describes his experiences… “It has helped me to deal with everyday life and being in public. It’s hard to explain how it feels. I can take what I do working with the horses, to help me cope with the outside world. I look forward to coming and riding my horse Mater every week and the strong bond of veteran fellowship. I even quit my job and found a new job that would work around my riding sessions because the program has been the best therapy for me.”
STAR Heroes & Horses instructor Robin Bowen has seen great progress in Corey. “The confidence and development Corey has displayed in his time riding at STAR is truly amazing. Veterans like Corey come into the program with fear and discomfort and the horses break through all that.”
Whether the wounds are physical or emotional, for 10 years STAR has seen great progress in the veteran participants we serve. In 2019, STAR provided 375 hours of programming yet we have never charged these veterans as it is our mission to serve these men and women who have given so much to our country. We ask for your gift to continue helping veterans like Corey as well as the deserving participants in the other programs at STAR. Together we can continue to change lives one hoof beat at a time!
Help star while you shop!
Did you know that when yo u shop for the holidays, or anytime, at smile.amazon.com/ch/62-1330640, AmazonSmile donates to STAR? Click the link or the button below to get started. Always make sure you start at smile.amazon.com! Thank you!!!
Main Office: 11800 Highway 11E. Lenoir City, TN 37772
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Dagur - STAR's 2019 Horse of the Year!
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South Knox Location: 3312 Tipton Station Rd. Knoxville, TN 37920 (by apt. only)
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