Students are saddling up inside the arena for their STEP sessions at New Forest Equestrian Center in Glenville.

Physical therapist and director of the program, Kay Stanley-White, is leading these physical therapy sessions, which look much different than the doctor's office.

While she is a physical therapist in a regular clinic setting, she says the STEP program is her calling.

The program focuses on horse therapy, called Hippotherapy.

“It’s a really neat thing how this happens. Because we can rewire the brain using the horse's movement,” explains Stanley-White.

Stanley-White’s focus for the STEP program is on those with special needs. Many students in the program are the spectrum, or may need help walking and talking. That includes 10-year-old Jolena Novak, who has been making strides with her stutter through the program.

Her father, Joe Novak, says he’s seen big changes in his daughter. He says he rides horses himself, so he knew this would be helpful for her, as well.

“Since she’s been riding, she’s been talking a lot more, and once she’s home, she never stops. Tonight, when she gets home, she’ll talk all about the horse she was on,” Joe Novak said.

Stanley-White explains, “I can tell you wholeheartedly, having a child you worked with where you’re trying to help them with stuttering, if a horse can do it, that’s the best way to do it.”

And while the focus is on mobility and speech, the kids are still learning something much bigger.

“This is risk-taking in a safe environment, and you can build the integral part of being able to develop strength, while also overcoming fear. The stronger you become in a single human being, the better you are to be equipped with the outside world,” she said.

And with high risk comes high reward.

Stanley-White says she’s witnessed incredible strides made by her students.

“Well, I can only say unbelievable miracles have happened,” she said with a smile.

One of those miracle stories was 5-year-old Joseph Lovelass.

“I have two other kids, both typical kids, Joseph being on the spectrum. It’s a different world,” said his father, Jeff. “We went to the doctor and asked about anything that will help put him ahead. Just by chance, we ended up finding Kay.”

Joseph was non-verbal, never spoke a single word, until he began his sessions three years ago. He first began to speak at age 4.

“It’s a struggle to get him to communicate. So, to know that he came here and felt that safety to be able to start talking, was just life changing,” said his father.

And while Hippotherapy has its proven scientific benefits, there’s one thing that parents agree makes this program so special.

"Miss Kay. Miss Kay and the volunteers, 200 percent. She cares. She gives everything she has,” said Lovelass.

It's a passion that’s been burning inside Stanley-White for 36 years.

“I could be tired all day long, have the worst day, and I come here and you put me with a horse and a child, you can ask any of the volunteers, I change,” Stanley-White added.

And it's a passion that’s not going to stop changing the lives of others anytime soon.

“No. I actually see myself transitioning form clinical work to this full-time,” Stanley-White said.

The program currently has a waiting list for students. However, the group is hoping for more spots and programs to open up after restrictions lift.

The group is a nonprofit and runs completely on donations. For more information on the program, or to inquire about the program, visit their website.