Healing Through Horses
Abbey Healy's Equine Therapy Awareness Program
In Partnership with Pal-O-Mine Equestrian & Smithtown Central School District
"What made the project meaningful to me is that it didn't end with me — by building a partnership with Smithtown Schools, we made the awareness effort permanent and sustainable."
— Abbey Healy, Girl Scout Gold Award Candidate
🎯 About the Project
Abbey's Girl Scout Gold Award project creates a lasting awareness program connecting students, families, and veterans in the Smithtown community with the life-changing equine therapy services at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. Through curriculum integration with the Smithtown Central School District, the program educates young people about equine therapy as both a healing resource and a career pathway.
🐴 About Pal-O-Mine
Founded in 1995, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a non-profit therapeutic riding center in Islandia, New York. Their mission is to use horses to facilitate growth, learning, and healing for:
- ▸Children & adults with disabilities
- ▸Veterans & military families
- ▸Survivors of trauma
- ▸At-risk youth & the impoverished
Abbey Healy
Senior · Smithtown High School East · Nesconset, NY
Abbey Healy is a senior at Smithtown High School East pursuing her Girl Scout Gold Award — the highest honor in Girl Scouting — through a community awareness initiative centered on equine-assisted therapy. Inspired by the transformative work of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Abbey built a sustainable education partnership with the Smithtown Central School District to ensure that students, families, and veterans continue to learn about the healing power of horses long after her own involvement ends. Driven by a commitment to equity and public health, Abbey plans to study Public Health at the University at Buffalo to turn this work into a lifelong career in community wellness.
Careers in Equine Therapy
What students will discover through Abbey's awareness program
Mental Health Therapist
Licensed counselors and social workers who deliver Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) using the Eagala model, helping clients process trauma and build resilience alongside horses.
Equine Specialist
Eagala-certified professionals who manage horse behavior and safety during therapy sessions, partnering with mental health clinicians to facilitate healing experiences.
Adaptive Riding Instructor
CHA-certified instructors who teach horseback riding and horsemanship to individuals of all abilities, adapting techniques to meet each rider's unique needs.
Vocational Job Coach
Coaches in the J-STEP program who help adults with disabilities build job readiness, life skills, and confidence through hands-on equine care and barn work.
Non-Profit Administrator
Operations, communications, and fundraising professionals who keep the mission-driven organization running — from grant writing to community outreach and event coordination.
Barn Manager & Animal Care
Facility and animal care staff who ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the therapy horse herd, maintaining the environment that makes all programs possible.
Spread the Word
Help Us Raise Awareness
Share this page with your community and help more people discover the healing power of equine therapy.