Grace Lake Equine Assisted Services

Grace Lake Ministries (GLM) is a faith based nonprofit organization formed in 2004 to provide equine-assisted services to individuals with special needs in Collin County, Texas. GLM adheres to high safety standards as a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl) Center Member. PATH Intl promotes equine assisted services for individuals with special needs and is the credentialing organization for accrediting centers and certifying instructors.

Since 2004, we have helped over 250 riders and participants in partnership with 700 + volunteers meet their goals. 86% of our riders are children. GLM offers adaptive riding, equine-assisted physical therapy, and groundwork connection to individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome to name a few. Riders gain flexibility, balance, and muscle strength, as well as increases in fine and gross motor skills and improvement in core strength. For individuals with emotional challenges, the unique bond formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience, problem solving, and self-esteem.

We partner with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Texas Health and Human Services to serve individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities; as well as with the Texas Department of State Health Services to provide assistance to children and youth with serious emotional issues, and Medicaid HCBS to deliver therapeutic horsemanship to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental illnesses. In addition, we have joined with Child Protective Services to impact foster and adopted children.

GLM Director, Holly Robinson, is a PATH Intl. Advanced Level Certified Instructor, a licensed Social Worker, and a PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She founded GLM after working at several therapeutic riding centers and realizing her community of Anna, Texas was underserved.