In 1997, my husband and I adopted a family of three children. Shortly afterwards, the youngest, a baby boy was diagnosed with severe Sensory Integration Dysfunction and a condition called autism. In a mother's effort to do all she could for her child, I researched many types of therapies. I concluded that Hippotherapy is the most beneficial and enhances all other therapies. It has opened the door for many special needs children, including profoundly to mildly handicapped individuals, as well as, those with emotional and learning disabilities.

My dream was to create a center where all the services are geared to improving the quality of life for special needs children… that dream was brought to life because of one child.

Thus, the beginnings of Parkwood Farms Therapy Center, Inc.

In February 2002, I purchased 9.11 acres in Snellville, GA to build my dream. My husband and I immediately began construction of a therapeutic facility. The first project was building a six-stall barn and a covered riding arena, designed specifically for Hippotherapy. During construction, we selected and purchased three horses and trained them for therapeutic work.

May 15th, 2002 Parkwood Farms opened its doors to 22 children for Hippotherapy sessions.

Since then the construction and programs have continued to grow. We now have lights in our covered arena so we can have sessions after dark, an outdoor arena for more advanced riding and fences around the perimeter of the pastures. We have added Therapeutic Riding classes for higher functioning children. Many of our Hippotherapy kids have ‘graduated’ to Therapeutic Riding. In fact, five of our students, including my son, participated in the 2004 State of Georgia Special Olympic Equestrian Sport Championship, in Perry GA.

We have just completed our clinic in January 2005. The clinic consists of an open therapy room; a reception room with observation areas overlooking the covered arena and the open therapy room; rooms for speech therapy and for massage therapy; and a Chiropractic suite with its own waiting room, two adjusting rooms and a rehab area. The clinic has a peaceful and soothing décor and atmosphere, conducive to healing and blossoming. We are a unique facility that offers both clinical and horseback therapy under one roof.