Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding

About the Program

Therapeutic riding lessons are taught by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors and run in four sessions a year, with riders keeping the same day and time each session. Group lessons last one hour with no more than four riders, who groom, tack and ride their assigned horse. Thirty-minute private lessons are available for riders who need more individual attention. Riders must be at least 4, weigh under 180 pounds and have proper head, neck and trunk control, and every applicant is evaluated first. Those who are not eligible to ride can join STAR's groundwork programs, such as equine-assisted learning and line driving.

Heroes & Horses serves veterans with disabilities or special challenges, including TBI, PTSD, amputation and sensory loss, with mounted or ground classes offered at no cost to veterans. STRIDES runs short-term, ground-based groups for at-risk youth, women in crisis, people in recovery, and teens ages 10 to 17.

Reflections meets on the first and third Mondays of each month for people in the early and middle stages of Alzheimer's or dementia and their caregivers. Through Minis in Motion, STAR brings its miniature horses to memory care and assisted living communities, rehab facilities, schools and community events.

The Horses and Staff

The Our Herd page lists 23 horses, including three miniature horses. Emily Justus is the executive director. Many instructors hold the PATH Intl. CTRI credential, and several are also Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL).

History

STAR began in 1987 as Lynn Petr's therapeutic recreation master's thesis project at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The program first earned accreditation from NARHA, now PATH Intl., in 1990, moved to its current Lenoir City facility in 2004 and completed its indoor arena in 2008. Petr retired in 2025.

Volunteering

STAR says it relies on volunteers in every part of its programs. No horse experience is required, junior volunteers can start at 10, and training is provided for each role.

Location

STAR is at 11800 Highway 11 E in Lenoir City, Tennessee, in Loudon County. It serves people from Knox, Loudon, Blount and other East Tennessee counties.