Mission
To benefit children and adults with special needs or disabilities by offering them the opportunity to interact with dedicated horses in a manner that promotes physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. We believe people can develop therapeutic relationships with horses, crossing boundaries of speech and physical disabilities in a way that encourages healing and improved self-esteem.
History
According to the most recent census, there are almost 600,000 people in Miami-Dade County with some form of disability. In 2010, Nancy Hector, a philanthropist and champion of children’s causes, recognized the need in Miami-Dade County for a place where children and adults with disabilities could interact with horses in a therapeutic program. Mrs. Hector also recognized the poor accessibility of such centers to those who need it the most so she purchased the farm Whispering Manes first resided on because of its central location. In 2011 Mrs. Hector hired Dr. Erin Bauer to serve as the first Executive Director of the program. Soon after, Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center was formally established as a federally recognized 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to providing equine assisted activities to children and adults with disabilities. By the end of 2011 the inaugural board of directors was formed to help govern and guide Whispering Manes into a successful future, a PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructor and a full time groom to care for the horses were hired. Mrs. Hector’s continued devotion to Whispering Manes led her to purchase a nearby 5-acre property where she built a custom-designed, ADA compliant barn and covered riding arena which she then donated to Whispering Manes in 2015.
Whispering Manes formally opened on January 23, 2012. At present, Whispering Manes serves up to 80 riders per week ranging in age from 5 to over 70 years old. There are over 150 people enrolled in our equine assisted activities program annually, including current and former members of the armed services, participants from multiple local special education and Miami-Dade public schools, the Down Syndrome Association of Miami, Miami Cerebral Palsy Residences, and private individuals.
Whispering Manes works to promote strong community ties by drawing on more than 100 volunteers from local service organizations, high schools, and individuals.
In 2017 Whispering Manes became certified as a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, which recognizes the organization as a center of excellence for safety and compliance within PATH International guidelines.
Whispering Manes has achieved the GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency and has been rated a top rated nonprofit by Great Nonprofits every year since 2013.