Founded in 1997, O.A.T.S. is a volunteer-based organization focused on promoting health, well-being and happiness through equine-assisted activities.  As a PATH, International Premier Center, O.A.T.S. offers various activities each designed to assist those with a variety of abilities and needs.  Participants of the O.A.T.S. program include children as young as three years of age to those in their more senior years. 

Utilizing an encouraging environment, O.A.T.S. allows our riders with special needs an opportunity to participate in various skill development activities and games while on horseback, each designed to strengthen their balance, riding abilities and self-esteem while having fun.

Horses offer a powerful and unique gift of showing people things about themselves that they never knew or that they may have buried due to life experiences.  O.A.T.S. offers equine assisted services to active duty military, veterans and first responders with service-related injuries and struggles.

Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) includes work with PTSD, detachment disorder, bullying issues and depression as well as assisting organizations in leadership training and teambuilding activities.  O.A.T.S. is also now working with Hope against Trafficking to assist survivors of human trafficking in their healing process.  While working with horses under the guidance and supervision of a certified equine specialist, participants in the EFL program will have a unique and effective opportunity to get direct feedback from their equine partner on their pattern of problematic behaviors, self-defeating negative thoughts and actions.

O.A.T.S. collaborates with Detroit Horse Power (DHP) to provide two weeks of summer camp for at-risk, inner city youth. DHP does not have a barn, but instead they partner with five barns in the region.  The children come to O.A.T.S. and use our facility, instructors and horses to learn perseverance, empathy, responsible risk-taking, compassion and self-control.  These services are provided at no cost to the children or DHP.  DHP also has an after-school program to reinforce the lessons learned at summer camp.  These are kids who are at a crossroads.  Together, O.A.T.S. and DHP are helping to provide the guidance that can lead to successful, productive lives. 

The O.A.T.S. Farm-Ability program provides children in local school districts the opportunity to learn life skills such as teamwork, problem solving, dependability, effective listening and time management.  Children also learn how to care for chickens, goats, pigs and horses as well as how to plant and grow herbs and flowers.  Participants also learn business and marketing skills when their take their products to the Farmer’s Market or sell their products on the farm. 

“Imagine being able to offer someone who cannot walk the ability to feel as though they can. Imagine providing someone the sense that they can overcome the odds. Imagine being able to bring a smile to the face of a child. Imagine the sounds of laughter as riders and volunteers work together.  Imagine being able to give back a little to those heroes who have given so much for us.

At O.A.T.S., we don’t just imagine these things . . .  this is the magic we create every day.”