Acadiana Therapeutic Riding Organization
Youngsville, Louisiana
Acadiana Therapeutic Riding Organization (ATRO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Youngsville, Louisiana, that offers therapeutic riding classes. According to The Advocate, it serves children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities, and its website says it helps individuals of all ages.
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Group and individual classes
- Volunteer training
- Fundraising events
- Children with disabilities
- Adults with disabilities
- People with physical disabilities
- People with developmental disabilities
More about this center
About the Program
ATRO's website says it was officially established as a nonprofit in 2000, is run by a team of volunteers, and is a member of PATH International. A November 2024 article in The Advocate reported that founder Dixie Ferrata started the nonprofit and that Lorain Gilbert-Fontana, a physical therapist who began volunteering as an instructor in the late 1990s, took over leadership when Ferrata retired.
The same article described about 24 riders attending weekly classes, supported by about 13 volunteers, with exercises such as tossing bean bags or rings while riding and riding backward to build balance. ATRO's schedule page says classes are offered all week for groups and individuals, and its home page says sessions last 4 to 6 weeks.
In November 2024, The Advocate reported that the Lafayette Mayor-President's Disability Awareness Committee had recently named ATRO nonprofit of the year and that the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs had selected it for a gold award as service provider of the year.
Getting Started
To enroll, the website says to email atro2011@gmail.com to request an application. The process has two steps: complete the application form, then attend an in-person consult with the therapeutic riding instructor.
ATRO lists fees of $35 per class or $140 per month. Our guide to equine therapy costs explains how pricing compares.
Volunteering
Volunteers can email ATRO to request a volunteer packet. The website says trainings are held 4 to 6 times a year, as needed, on Saturday mornings from 8:00 to 9:30 am.
Location
ATRO lists its address as 219 Griffin Road, Youngsville, Louisiana 70592, in the Acadiana region near Lafayette. The website lists hours of Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, with Saturday morning hours and after-hours visits by appointment.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I sign up for therapeutic riding at ATRO?
Email atro2011@gmail.com to request an application. After you complete it, you attend an in-person consult with the therapeutic riding instructor.
How much do classes cost?
As listed on ATRO's website, classes cost $35 each or $140 per month.
Who can ride at ATRO?
ATRO says it serves individuals of all ages, and The Advocate reported that riders include children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities.
How long are sessions?
The website says therapeutic riding sessions run 4 to 6 weeks, with classes offered during the week for groups and individuals.
Location
Youngsville, Louisiana 70592
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.