Welcome to CHAMP!
At Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program (CHAMP) we believe in the healing power of horses. It’s where horses and healing meet.
We provide equine-assisted activities and adaptive riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities — including those with physical, cognitive, developmental, or emotional challenges.
Every day at CHAMP, transformation happens in simple, powerful moments:
🐴 A teen with cerebral palsy discovers what it feels like to walk — through the gentle rhythm of a horse.
🐴 A nonverbal child whispers their first word to a patient, listening horse.
🐴 A veteran finds calm again while brushing a horse’s coat.
💚 And volunteers discover fulfillment, friendship, and purpose — often getting in great shape along the way.
Our barn is a place of connection, healing, and possibility — fully dedicated to our riders and the therapy horses who make this work possible.
Research — and the voices of our riders and families — show that equine-assisted services can reduce anxiety, improve communication and problem-solving skills, support impulse control, and provide meaningful physical therapy benefits in a joyful, empowering way.
CHAMP is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.)–accredited center — a volunteer-powered, donation-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Founded in 1987, CHAMP has proudly served Vermont’s disability community for more than three decades — changing lives, one ride at a time.
Rider fees cover only about 25% of program costs — the rest is made possible by generous donors and grants that keep lessons affordable and our herd cared for.
Affordability
We rely on volunteers and donations to make our program accessible to all people.
Inclusivity
We offer an environment and programs which include both able-bodied and individuals with disabilities or other challenges, fostering inclusivity, respect and acceptance.
Achievement through Fun
Joy, laughter, and empowerment lead our clients to confidence, mobility, communication, and accomplishment.
Safety
We adhere to the rigorous training, certification and standards established by PATH International, the governing body of therapeutic equine programs, to ensure the safety of our clients and health of our horses.