TREE House of Greater St. Louis
Wentzville, Missouri
TREE House of Greater St. Louis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Wentzville, Missouri, that uses horses to help children and adults with disabilities, people coping with behavioral or emotional concerns, and injured service members and veterans. Its programs include hippotherapy with licensed physical and occupational therapists, adaptive therapeutic riding, equine-assisted mental health services and inclusive summer camps.
- Equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy) with licensed PTs and OTs
- Adaptive therapeutic riding
- Equine-assisted mental health
- TH Freedom Reins for military personnel and veterans
- Inclusive summer camps
- Virtual services
- Children and adults with disabilities
- Families
- Injured active military, reservists and veterans
- People coping with behavioral or emotional concerns
- Children ages 5 to 18 of all abilities (camp)
More about this center
About the Program
In hippotherapy, licensed occupational and physical therapists use the horse's movement in weekly one-on-one sessions for clients ages 2 through adulthood. Each client's plan is built at an initial evaluation, using input from parents or caregivers and medical professionals. All in-person services run year-round, and the center says it is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.
Adaptive therapeutic riding is for people with disabilities ages 6 and up. Lessons are taught by PATH Intl. certified riding instructors, one-on-one or in groups of up to three, after an evaluation by an occupational therapist. The mental health program offers a trauma-informed approach, including equine-assisted psychotherapy, for individuals, couples, families and groups. TH Freedom Reins serves injured active military personnel, reservists and veterans. Virtual sessions are led by licensed mental health professionals or licensed physical or occupational therapists.
History and Facility
According to its website, the program started services in 1975 as Therapeutic Horsemanship, founded by Susie Duesinger, Sandy Rafferty and Laura Carpenter Balding, with five clients in its first year. It moved to its current facility in 2005 and took the TREE House name in 2014. TREE stands for therapy, recreation, education and exploration.
The 88-acre campus is home to a herd of 20 specially trained therapy horses. The center says it serves more than 300 people each year.
Getting Started
Registration is accepted year-round on a rolling basis, and clients can start once a therapist or instructor, volunteers and a horse are available. To begin, families fill out the intake form linked from the center's registration page. The center's therapy and counseling services don't take private insurance, so please call the Client Services Team at (636) 332-4940 for rates and any questions. In the mental health program, St. Charles County residents under 18 are welcome to ask about scholarships.
Volunteering
Volunteers must be at least 14, and no horse experience is needed for therapy services volunteers. The center offers individual and group opportunities, with an online application.
Location
TREE House is at 332 Stable Lane, Wentzville, MO 63385, in St. Charles County. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
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 enroll?
Fill out the intake form linked from the center's registration page. Clients start on a rolling basis as therapists, instructors, volunteers and horses become available.
What ages does TREE House serve?
Hippotherapy is offered for ages 2 through adulthood, adaptive riding for ages 6 and up, and summer camps for children ages 5 to 18 with and without disabilities.
Does TREE House take insurance?
No. The center says its therapy and counseling services don't take private insurance. Call (636) 332-4940 to ask about rates.
Is there a program for veterans?
Yes. TH Freedom Reins is open to injured active military personnel, reservists and veterans. See our guide to equine therapy for veterans.
Location
Wentzville, Missouri 63385
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.