Our Story

Five years ago, Running W Therapeutic Riding Center opened and began offering a small number of PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified therapeutic riding classes, driven by the mission of providing a pathway to well-being for those with disabilities and challenges through the strength of the horse. Five years later, we now have three thriving programs and are continuing to expand our reach within northern Idaho and eastern Washington. In October of 2018, we were able to launch WildFreedom, a program offered free of charge to local veterans in conjunction with services provided at the local Veteran Center. Throughout the courses we have offered we have watched men and women transform from troubled and suicidal to purposed and equipped to work through challenges they face after their time serving. In 2019 we began our youth outreach program, offered to youth on probation, possible through a partnership with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. Participants in this program graduate empowered to make healthy decisions that have a positive impact on their futures. Altogether, Running W has served roughly 1,000 people since its humble start in 2014, and we know this is only the beginning.