Unbridled Change's mission is:

To partner people with horses through hands-on activities to create lasting change and true healing. 

Our services have proven to be very effective with those that would not be successful with traditional interventions. Through interaction with horses our clients are able discover new tools and skills which can help them in living happier and healthier lives.

We are extremely proud to be leaders in the field of equine assisted activities and therapies as being the first organization to be accredited by EAGALA as a Distinguished Program Member - showing that we adhere to the highest standards or safety, ethical, programmatic and financial standards. 

The primary services we offer are:

• Therapy - mental health therapy for individuals/families/groups utilizing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
•  Educational/learning programming for groups/schools/organizations utilizing Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
• Therapeutic Riding for children/adults with physical/cognitive impairments
• Team Discovery/Building for organizations/companies utilizing EAL
• CEU's for professionals in the human services and health care fields utilizing EAL
  

We strongly believe that true change in behaviors and patterns only occurs when a person is challenged and outside of their comfort zones. The interactive nature of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning allow the clients to experience their current behaviors and patterns in life and change those that are not working for them or are unhealthy. We believe that it is our job to create the environment which empowers them to find their own answers. 

We do very little talking during the sessions, instead we let the clients interact with the horses, who are able to mirror the clients, and reflect back their behaviors. True change and results happen when clients realize they have the power to change the world around them by altering a behavior or attitude. Clients are able to try out new behaviors and patterns with the horses in a supportive and safe environment.

We believe our clients have the best solutions for themselves, if we just give them the opportunity to find them.  Because of this, we are not teaching horsemanship or instructing specific horsemanship skills during EAP/EAL - instead we let the clients learn what will work for them in their relationships with the horses.

Unbridled Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. 
We believe that our services should be available to those in need regardless of ability to pay. 

Unbridled Change offers scholarship funds based on a sliding fee scale for those in need.

• Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) Advanced Certified as an Equine Specialist 
• Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International [formally know as North American Riding for the Handicap Association (NARHA)] Certified  Registered Instructor and active member of Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA)

Michelle was the first professional in Southwestern Virginia to be certified by EAGALA and currently holds the highest certification level in the area. She has over 10 years of experience working with at-risk youth, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and disabled populations. 

She is a life long equestrian and has competed and professionally trained horses in hunter/jumpers and three day eventing.

Through Michelle's guidance Unbridled Change is one of only 2 organizations in the Nation that is both an EAGALA Distinguished Accredited Program member and a PATH International center member.  We are proud to be both a leader in the field at a local level and an international level.