TOWN OF SOUTHEAST – Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Center, dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities and challenges through equine-assisted services, has been undergoing renovations thanks in part to State Senator Peter Harckham.
Harckham visited the Pegasus campus in Southeast this week to see several infrastructure projects completed with support from a $100,000 state grant he secured for the organization.
Pegasus used the grant funding to replace windows and the roof on its Administration Building and upgrade the facility’s heating and cooling system in addition to creating a new retaining wall and paving, the Putnam part of the driveway on the property.
Harckham said the “impact of equine therapy is well-documented in treating people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who are on the autism spectrum. Pegasus is a national leader in this movement, and I am proud to have been able to partner with them.”
Candice Sciarillo, executive director of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, said the funding will result in “important upgrades that directly support our mission. Paving the driveway helps prevent flooding and provides safer, more reliable access to our facility. The new roof, windows, and HVAC system in our Administration Building have also allowed us to create an additional year-round meeting space for school groups, trauma programs, and other participants to gather, reflect, and debrief following their sessions. These improvements help us expand our programs and better serve individuals and families throughout our community.”
Founded in 1974 by a group of women equestrians, Pegasus operates three chapters and moved to its current 20-acre farm in 2007. Today, it serves 300 people each year with support from more than 100 volunteers and 10 horses, many of which are enjoying a second career in equine therapy.
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