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Victory Gallop, Inc. is a therapeutic and recreational horseback riding program for children with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. Located in Bath, Ohio, the program opened its doors in January of 1995 with one rider. Co-founders, David M. Miller, DVM, Susan J. Miller, M.Ed. and Kimberly A. Berno, M.S., had seen the positive affect that horses and volunteers have on children with physical and cognitive impairments. However, they saw a gap in therapeutic treatments for children with "invisible" impairments and life-threatening illnesses. Victory Gallop was developed to meet the needs of these often overlooked and under-served children. Victory Gallop became the first program in the country designed specifically to work with children with emotional and behavioral impairments and life-threatening illnesses.
Victory Gallop became accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) in 1995. All instructors employed by Victory Gallop have achieved the "Advanced Level of Instructor Certification" through NARHA. They maintain their certification by completing continuing education requirements.
Victory Gallop obtained its 501 (c) (3) status in October of 1995, and has continued to make steady progress since its incorporation. Currently, there are 53 children receiving the advantages of therapeutic horseback riding on a weekly basis. These children are from the counties of Summit, Medina, Cuyahoga and Ashland. The program has nine horses, which were donated and are maintained on donated funds. There is also a list of riders waiting to be served.
Children, ages 3 through 18 years old, with a variety of emotional and behavioral impairments and life-threatening illnesses participate in the program. Riders may face some of the following challenges: cancer, abuse (sexual, physical, substance and/or emotional), depression, eating disorders, obsessive/compulsive disorder, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, and/or severe behavior impairments.
