QUEST was formed by a group of caring and compassionate individuals who came together to rescue a group of horses that had fallen on difficult circumstances. After the initial rescue and rehabilitation, some of these horses were paired with volunteer personnel and area children. Services were provided to those in need of the horse-human connection throughout the summer and fall of 2009.

 Children rode the horses and they laughed .., they smiled.., they bloomed like flowers finding the sun. Small miracles began happening on our horse therapy night. It was unexplainable .., but it was real. We saw hope restored and trust renewed in the rescued horses.  The children and all of us were changed in some way and none of us were quite the same when the year came to an end.

 How could we make this possible again for next year? How could we sustain this seemingly magical place of hope and change? A decision was made to pursue becoming a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped) Member Center and for some of our volunteers to become certified instructors. NARHA added EFMHA (Equine Facilitated Mental Health Assoc.) to the services it offers, thereby expanding our services to add non-riding therapeutic activities. This change will allow us to offer so much more than a riding experience to those individuals who can benefit from communication and learning that Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy can bring to so many in need.

 With the help of many giving individuals and donations and charity fundraisers we were able to sustain the horses over the winter. The time and talents of our dedicated volunteers were directed in the pursuit of certification through NARHA to become instructors. Some of us are currently being mentored by other NARHA center instructors and will be attending a three day workshop and taking the certification exam. CPR and First Aid training has been attended and passed as well.

 We will be providing enhanced services and educational benefits through horse related activities begin June 15^th of 2010. We look forward with great excitement and growing expectations to a new season of growth and change. Thank you for your continued support of our new center. Without many of you it would not have been possible.

 The Staff, Volunteers and Therapy Horses,

 QUEST (Quincy Equestrian Services and Therapy)