Therapeutic Animal Partners (TAP)
About Therapeutic Animal Partners (TAP)
At Therapeutic Animal Partners, the work is direct and deeply human, adults and children with disabilities spend time with horses and small animals in programs built around movement, care, learning, and connection. That means therapeutic horsemanship, interactive vaulting, therapeutic driving, vocational barn management, and Books with Butterscotch, all under one roof in Hartly. If you want to support an organization that turns animal partnership into real, practical support for participants and families, TAP is an easy one to understand and care about.
TAP stands out for the range of its animal-based programs, from mounted movement to barn work to Books with Butterscotch. It is also a PATH Intl. member center and offers scholarship support for participants and families who need it.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Therapeutic horsemanship
Equine-assisted lessons and activities with horses.
Interactive vaulting
A mounted riding and movement program offered with horses.
Books with Butterscotch
Therapeutic driving (training)
Driving instruction and training activities with horses.
Vocational barn management
Work-based barn management activities.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Therapeutic Animal Partners (TAP) enriches the lives of adults and children with a variety of disabilities through therapeutic partnerships with horses and small animals.
Who they serve
Adults and children with a variety of disabilities, including people with ADD or other hyperactivity disorders, developmental delay, speech, visual and hearing impairments, physical disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, stroke/CVA, head trauma or brain injury, and disabled American veterans, as well as at-risk youth and educationally disengaged youth.
How your donation helps
- Veterinarian and farrier care for animal partners
- Housing, blanketing, grain, hay, supplements, and bedding for animal partners
- Animal sponsorships for horses, goats, cats, and chickens
- Scholarship support for participants and families in need
- New ASTM-SEI certified riding helmets
- Equicizer Horse equipment
- Lightweight waterproof turnout sheets
- Fly control and fly spray supplies
- Farm utility vehicle and pasture seed
- Fuel gift cards for farm and volunteer needs
Our story
Therapeutic Animal Partners was founded in June 2007 by five therapeutic equine enthusiasts who brought more than 30 years of combined experience to the table. Among them were Michele Sandefur, DVM, and Lisa Wysocky, both NARHA Registered Instructors, along with Robin Garrett, whose horse handling and therapeutic equine lesson experience helped shape the work. Beverly Halfacre served as Founding Board President.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Therapeutic Animal Partners (TAP)’s services.
Contact the TAP office for a participant enrollment packet.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Therapeutic Animal Partners (TAP) has shared.
Current needs
- Lightweight waterproof turnout sheets for horses and goats
- Celebration fly control
- Endure fly spray
- New ASTM-SEI certified riding helmets
- Equicizer Horse equipment
- Bottled water for volunteers
- Hand and feet warmers for volunteers
- Name tag stickers
- Farm utility vehicle
- 500# orchard or timothy grass seed for pastures
- Royal Farms gas station gift cards for fuel
Volunteer opportunities
- Lesson prep
- Leaders and sidewalkers
- Barn and farm maintenance
- One-time projects for groups
- Horse care
- Feeding and training
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of participants does TAP serve?
TAP serves adults and children with a variety of disabilities, including developmental, physical, sensory, learning, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. It also serves at-risk youth, educationally disengaged youth, and disabled American veterans.
What programs does TAP offer?
TAP offers therapeutic horsemanship, interactive vaulting, Books with Butterscotch, therapeutic driving, and vocational barn management.
How can someone enroll as a participant?
Contact the TAP office for a participant enrollment packet.
What volunteer roles are available?
Volunteer roles include lesson prep, leaders and sidewalkers, barn and farm maintenance, one-time group projects, horse care, feeding, and training.
Similar nonprofits
Other animal-related n.e.c. nonprofits in DE.