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Graz'n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center

A 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation started in 1999 to serve the Counties of Isle of Wight, Southampton and Sussex and the Cities of Franklin and Suffolk as well as the surrounding areas of Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina.

Graz'n Acres is a "Premier Accredited Therapeutic Riding Center" of NARHA for Therapeutic Riding and Driving, currently the only center in the state with an accredited driving for the disabled program.

Started in 1999 with just one horse and two students on a farm in Southampton County, the center serves over 70 participants yearly and has a growing waiting list. A core of 50 specially trained volunteers help on a weekly basis to serve those participants

The center currently offers an evening lesson program which includes therapeutic riding and driving participants, morning school programs with the Special Education Departments of Southampton County Public Schools and Franklin City Public Schools and Step By Step, Inc of Suffolk, an At-Risk Youth Program with the Alternative Education Program of Southampton County Public Schools and a partnership with Dr. Stacey Scott of Franklin, who offers Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

We have two Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors through NARHA, with one also certified in Therapeutic Driving. The school psychologists with our At-Risk Program, as well as Dr. Scott, are certified in Equine Assisted Mental Health Programs through EAGLA, Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.