About Us

Whispering Pine Equine Alliance (WPEA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization established in 2017 that benefits the people of Washington County, Maine, by providing healing to the community and enhancing individuals' quality of life through the power of human and equine partnerships. WPEA offers four services to accomplish this mission. 

 

Our first service provides financial assistance for people in Washington County who have a medical need for Hippotherapy but who cannot afford this service. Hippotherapy is occupational, speech, or physical therapy using equine movement as a tool to accomplish treatment goals. This is accomplished with clients mounted on a horse using WPEA-trained volunteers who assist and specially trained horses. WPEA contracts with licensed physical, speech, and occupational therapists who have undergone specialized training with the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) and with AHA-qualified equine handlers and appropriate equines to provide Hippotherapy sessions at appropriate equine facilities in Washington County. Our clients are Washington County residents. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies cover Hippotherapy sessions leaving people with less income underserved, and WPEA steps in to fill that financial gap. Financial assistance is awarded based on financial need and paid directly to the Hippotherapy providers at the conclusion of client sessions. Individuals may apply to WPEA for this funding by completing an application demonstrating financial need and presenting a therapy evaluation stating a need for Hippotherapy.

​

Our second service is to provide free community outreach and education throughout Washington County, including Hippotherapy and equine-assisted psychotherapy demonstrations, volunteer training sessions, and equine visits to nursing homes, schools, and the Maine Veteran's Home. WPEA incorporates the knowledge of horse care, an introduction to equine therapy, and hands-on experience with the healing power of horses. WPEA also provides informational booths and demonstrations at local fairs, craft shows and for community-based groups that request a demonstration.

​

WPEA's third service program offers financial aid to Washington County professionals licensed as occupational, speech, or physical therapists, licensed mental health providers, and equine professionals to be certified in providing the service of their expertise using a human-equine partnership. This professional financial aid must be used for the American Hippotherapy Association or the Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy And Learning Association (EAGALA), nationally recognized training providers.

​

Since its beginning in 2017, Whispering Pine Equine Alliance has had an all-volunteer Board of Directors who specialize in coordinating our service programs. Members of the Board routinely volunteer their time to provide and assist with equine demonstrations, educational programs, and fundraising activities. WPEA has a demonstrated record of providing free educational opportunities for people who wish to volunteer with our programs and supporting Washington County professionals in becoming certified in their respective equine-allied medical and mental health professions. Each year WPEA has provided free public Hippotherapy and other equine-assisted demonstrations and many volunteer training classes for people in Washington County. Since 2017, WPEA has had numerous clients utilize our financial assistance for Hippotherapy with beneficial results.