Our Mission

Cheff’s mission is to enhance the lives of individuals who have special needs through equine assisted services while leading the industry in education.

The Great Thing About the Cheff Center is…

“that it is a place that allows for imperfection.  In a world where people are constantly striving for the unattainable goal of perfection, where the lie is believed and perpetuated that perfection is attainable and anything less than the illusive “perfect” is shunned and cast off– there stands the Cheff Center, allowing, embracing, enjoying, and validating everyone who enters.  The Cheff Center truly shows us what believing in diversity means.  Cheff understands and delights in the fact that all people are different, all people have their own individual strengths and weaknesses, and all people are valuable.  The patience, kindness, and authenticity of the staff makes Cheff a “safe zone” for the rest of us in this different-than-perfect world.  It gives the rest of us a chance to rest and catch our breath.”

— Cheff Center Parent

 

Our History

Opened in 1969 as the first therapeutic riding center built especially for the purpose of serving those with special needs in North America, the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center serves riders of all ages who have physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities.

Why We Do What We Do:

It works!

The market for integrative therapies has been consistently increasing in the United States over the past 10 years.   This trend is supported by out of control healthcare costs, rising rates of preventable health problems, and changing national healthcare policies.  Doctors, hospitals, and patients are finding that utilizing an integrative healing approach produces tangible benefits ranging from preventative care to improved therapy outcomes, to savings on the bottom line.   According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, nearly 40% of U.S. adults are currently using at least once type of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Cystic Fibrosis

  • Cancer

  • Brain Injuries

  • Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder

  • At-Risk Children

  • Senior Citizens

  • U.S. Veterans

  • Many others

challenges our clients face:

  • Mentally and Emotionally Impaired

  • Visual and Hearing Impaired

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Addiction/Recovery

  • Down Syndrome

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  • Muscular Dystrophy (MD)

  • Cerebral Palsy