Therapeutic riding made its way to Hagerstown in 1988 when Sharon Landis, former Executive Director at Star Community, Inc. hired Ginny Gaylor as a residential supervisor. Together they had a vision and 10 years later, that vision was realized and the Star Equestrian Center opened – the first (and only) one of its kind in Western Maryland.

Since then, the center has grown and now serves about 120 riders - both children and adults, both abled and disabled. Individuals with disabilities ranging from brain and spinal cord injuries and cerebral palsy to autism, mental retardation as well as emotional and behavioral challenges

can benefit from therapeutic riding. In addition, the center collaborates with a number of other community organizations, including Cedar Ridge Boys Home and School, and the Washington County Association of Retarded Citizens, to name just a few.

STAR is blessed with a dedicated band of volunteers. Adults and children, with and without disabilities, keep STAR Center clean, groom horses, perform clerical tasks, work as leaders and side aides to riders with disabilities, and act as instructors.

A group of Star volunteers help a participant onto her favorite horse.

Several agencies like the Washington County ARC and Cedar Ridge Children’s Home send volunteers to learn new skills and valuable life lessons. Home schoolers help with daytime volunteer chores.

Volunteers can earn riding time and several have become certified through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NAHRA) and the Pa. Council for Therapeutic Riding.

Volunteers need to be 13 or older. STAR offers a free four-hour volunteer orientation course, supervised hands-on experience with horses, as well as opportunities for continuing education.

The Signs of Committment

Read about Citigroup employee Michelle Baranowski's exceptional service to STAR Equestrian center by clicking here.

Apply to be a STAR Equestrian Center Volunteer

Think you'd like to help out? Click here for an application. Please print off and fax to 301-791-0018.

Or email lembly@starcommunityinc.org for more information.