North Dakota State University’s Bison Strides Equine Assisted Services Program recently won three regional awards from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International in Region 6, which encompasses centers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Bison Strides provides services for people with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and mental health diagnoses, partnering them with horses to meet individual goals.
Cutter is a 15-year old palomino quarter horse gelding who has spent the last six years helping individuals become physically stronger, grow in their confidence and find independence. He is one of 10 horses at Bison Strides and was named the 2024 PATH International Region 6 Equine of the Year. This award is given annually to a hard-working, wise equine who represents the heart of the equine-assisted services industry.
“We call Cutter our unicorn horse because he is so unique in his abilities to meet the needs of participants in every one of our programs,” says Erika Berg, Bison Strides program director and associate professor of animal sciences at NDSU.
Cutter is loaned to Bison Strides by Keith Johnson, a rancher from Sharon, North Dakota.
“Owning a horse like Cutter has been a blessing to me and my family,” Johnson says. “I’ve been fortunate the last few years to hear from families of people he has helped. It was emotional for me when I heard he had won this prestigious award. To have people I don’t even know recognize the value he has for the work he does is really special.”
Cutter’s riders and families have the best things to say about him.
Kelli and Daniel Leeman’s son, Teddy, began riding Cutter at age 4.
“Cutter is the reason that our child is physically so much stronger and willing to try difficult things,” Kelli Leeman says. “We cannot articulate how special Cutter is to our family. He is truly a treasure!”
Terry Heley says that Cutter has had a life-changing impact on her 21-year-old daughter MeKenna’s emotional intelligence, adding that riding and taking care of Cutter has given MeKenna a sense of pride.
Bison Strides participant Ellis Weiss says that Cutter has given her a sense of confidence and helped her not to feel afraid.
“Cutter makes me feel happy!” Weiss adds.
Click here to read more ndsu.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-patrick-jennings
Categories: North Dakota, General