GAIT Equine Assisted Services
Milford, Pennsylvania
GAIT Equine Assisted Services (legally GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Milford, Pennsylvania. Its website lists it as a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center offering therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, equine-assisted psychotherapy and a free fellowship program for veterans. It welcomes participants ages 2 to 80+ with cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral challenges.
- Therapeutic riding (usually in groups)
- Equine-assisted learning
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy
- Veterans Fellowship
- Vocational training for young adults
- Volunteer program
- Children and adults ages 2 to 80+
- People with autism spectrum disorder
- People with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida or MS
- People with traumatic brain injury
- Veterans and people with PTSD
- At-risk teens
- Cancer survivors
- Young adults with special needs
More about this center
About the Program
Therapeutic riding classes are usually held in small groups and taught by a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor with trained volunteers. Lessons cover riding skills along with cognitive, social and physical goals. Riding runs in sessions through the year, including a Saturdays-only winter session.
Equine-assisted learning is ground-based work for individuals and small groups, led by PATH Intl. Equine Specialists with educators, and focuses on communication, problem-solving and coping skills. It is aimed at teens referred by schools, youth advocacy programs or other professionals. Equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions are also ground-based and are run by a licensed mental health professional with a PATH Intl. Equine Specialist.
Veterans Fellowship
The Veterans Fellowship meets on Fridays from noon to 2 p.m., spring through late fall. Veterans work on horsemanship, groom and lunge horses, take walks in the woods with the horses and share lunch. The program is free, and two staff members work in veteran peer support roles.
The Horses and Staff
The website lists a herd of ten horses, including a Thoroughbred, Haflinger pony, Icelandic horse, Gypsy Vanner and Belgian draft cross. Eva Warner is the executive director. Founder Martha Dubensky, a licensed professional counselor and PATH Intl. Advanced Riding Instructor, now serves as board president.
History and Volunteering
GAIT was incorporated in January 1996 by Martha Dubensky and received its federal tax exemption in 1997. The Veterans Fellowship began in 2024.
Volunteers must be 12 or older and attend a safety and orientation training each year. No horse experience is needed; new volunteers start as side aides. Contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@gaittrc.org.
Location
GAIT is at 314 Foster Hill Rd., Milford, PA 18337, in Pike County. Mail goes to P.O. Box 69, Milford, PA 18337.
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?
Contact GAIT at (570) 409-1140 or info@gaittrc.org to begin the intake process. Each program has its own application packet on the website.
Are there requirements for riding?
Mounted activities require a physician's medical clearance and must meet GAIT's weight limit policy. These requirements do not apply to ground-based programs.
How much does it cost?
Call (570) 409-1140 to ask about current rates. Scholarships are available through GAIT's Jean Work Scholarship Fund and local groups such as the Ingeborg A. Biondo Memorial Foundation and Pike Autism Support Services. The Veterans Fellowship is free.
Location
Milford, Pennsylvania 18337
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.