Exceptional Equestrians

What Exceptional Equestrians does

Exceptional Equestrians is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1999 by pediatric occupational therapist Lisa Kafka, headquartered at 1130 Orlando Drive in De Pere, Wisconsin. The organization delivers equine-assisted therapy services — including hippotherapy, adaptive horsemanship, equine-experiential therapy, and on-site outpatient occupational, physical, and speech therapy — to children, teens, and adults with physical, developmental, sensory, and emotional needs across Northeastern Wisconsin. Each month the program runs more than 300 medically based equine-assisted sessions, serving over 100 families weekly through individualized treatment plans developed and supervised by licensed clinicians with advanced certifications (HPCS, NDT, PATH Intl CTRI, ESMHL).

The therapeutic platform combines a curated 17-plus-therapy-horse herd with licensed clinicians, a temperature-controlled indoor arena, a gait analysis area, and parent observation space. The model uses horse movement as a treatment tool to simultaneously influence musculoskeletal, sensory, and respiratory systems, with gait analysis providing objective progress measurement. A PATH International center membership and American Hippotherapy Association clinical specialist oversight underpin the clinical framework. The organization is co-located with the Country Kids pediatric outpatient clinic and integrates physician services through Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Associates, enabling cross-disciplinary intake and treatment.

Revenue is generated through a blended model of program fees on a sliding scale, Medicaid and private insurance billing for outpatient therapy, a $3,500-per-year horse sponsorship program, vehicle donations, and an active fundraising and capital campaign operation that covers an approximately 35% per-session cost shortfall. The current 'Path Forward' capital campaign, with groundbreaking scheduled for June 1, 2026, is intended to fund a new arena and treatment center. Governance rests with a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Elizabeth Moberg-Wolff, with operational leadership split between CEO/Founder Lisa Kafka and Executive Director Michael Telzrow.

Name

Exceptional Equestrians

Legal name

Exceptional Equestrians

Website

https://exceptionalequestrians.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Exceptional Equestrians is a De Pere, Wisconsin 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers hippotherapy, adaptive horsemanship, and outpatient occupational, physical, and speech therapy to children, teens, and adults with disabilities across Northeastern Wisconsin, running 300+ sessions monthly for 100+ families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399), All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian & Horse Trekking Centers (THAAAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations (AFAEAGAG), Equine Working Ranch & Trail Operations (non-tourism) (AFAEAGAL)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Hippotherapy services
• Adaptive riding
• Pediatric occupational therapy
• Therapeutic horsemanship

Headquarters

HQ city

De Pere

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged to families for therapy sessions. The organization uses a sliding fee scale and is committed to providing services regardless of ability to pay. Shortfall of nearly 35% per session exists between cost and outside funding sources.
2. Donations and Grants: Charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Major donors include Cornerstone Foundation, KC Stock Foundation, William & Susan Matheson Foundation, Sonnentag American Foundation, and others. The organization runs a capital campaign for facility expansion.
3. Horse Sponsorship: Annual sponsorship program where donors support individual therapy horses. Costs $3,500 per year per horse for feed, housing, veterinary care, and maintenance.
4. Vehicle Donations: Horsepower for Horses vehicle donation program accepts cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, boats, and other vehicles to raise funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Exceptional Equestrians is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers medically based equine-assisted therapy to children, teens, and adults with special needs. Its core offerings are Hippotherapy (1:1 OT/PT treatment using horse movement), Adaptive Horsemanship (PATH-certified group riding instruction), and Taking the Lead (off-horse equine-experiential therapy for life skills), supplemented by an on-site outpatient Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy clinic and a Summer Groups program.

Product overview

Exceptional Equestrians is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing equine-assisted therapy services from its facility in De Pere, Wisconsin. The organization operates as a unified therapy platform offering four core equine-assisted programs: Hippotherapy (one-to-one OT/PT with horse movement), Adaptive Horsemanship (PATH-certified group riding instruction), and Taking the Lead (off-horse experiential therapy for life skills). These are supplemented by an on-site outpatient therapy clinic offering Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy services. A Summer Groups program provides seasonal programming for children. The organization serves children, teens, and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional needs, providing over 300 sessions per month to approximately 100+ families weekly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hippotherapy One-to-one individualized occupational or physical therapy treatment sessions that incorporate the movement of the horse as a therapeutic tool. A licensed clinician with advanced knowledge uses the horse's movement to influence the rider's cognitive, sensory, and neuromotor systems, combining both occupational and physical therapy. Targeted at children age 2+ through adulthood with neuromotor, sensory, and developmental needs.
• Adaptive Horsemanship (Adaptive Riding) Group-format therapeutic riding instruction supervised by a PATH-certified therapeutic riding instructor. Riders learn beginner horsemanship skills including grooming, tacking, groundwork, and riding while improving flexibility, balance, and strength. Targeted at individuals whose abilities, goals, and interests align with group riding.
• Taking the Lead An equine-assisted experiential therapy program primarily conducted off-horse, where individuals, peer groups, families, and corporate groups work on communication skills, problem solving, team building, and leadership skills through horse interactions. Facilitated by an Occupational Therapist with mental health training and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health.
• Occupational Therapy Licensed occupational therapy services delivered in an encouraging environment, helping children develop skills for daily living including dressing, handwriting, sensory processing, and fine motor skills. Can be integrated with hippotherapy for eligible children. Targeted at pediatric therapy families.
• Physical Therapy Licensed physical therapy services focused on helping children move with strength, coordination, and confidence. Individualized treatment plans address gross motor delays, balance, coordination, cerebral palsy, and orthopedic conditions. Targeted at pediatric therapy families.
• Speech Therapy Licensed speech therapy services helping children develop articulation, clarity, and communication skills. Addresses dysarthria, motor speech disorders, speech sound delays, apraxia, and orofacial myofunctional disorders. Targeted at pediatric therapy families.
• Summer Groups (Fun for Kids) Seasonal summer program for children ages 5-17 featuring indoor/outdoor activities, games, crafts, and social skill development in small group settings with a new theme each week. Priced at $400 for a 5-week session running Tuesdays, July 7 – August 4, 2026. May be covered through the Children's Long-Term Support Program (CLTS) for eligible participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ medically based equine-assisted sessions per month
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Country Kids Pediatric Outpatient CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric therapy clinic located on same campus as Exceptional Equestrians. CEO Lisa Kafka is also owner/administrator of Country Kids. Allows coordinated care across disciplines with shared intake processes.
• Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert collaboration partner where Elizabeth Moberg-Wolff, MD hosts monthly clinic at the facility for patients with developmental disabilities.
• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization providing certification for therapeutic riding instructors. Exceptional Equestrians is a PATH center member. Staff are certified through PATH as riding instructors and equine specialists in mental health.
• American Hippotherapy Association (AHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization providing hippotherapy clinical specialist certification. CEO Lisa Kafka holds HPCS certification through AHA. Organization adheres to AHA standards.
• Children's Long-Term Support Program (CLTS)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWisconsin state program that may cover therapy services for eligible children. Summer program cost of $400 may be covered through CLTS for enrolled participants.
• Insurance ProvidersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedicaid and many private insurance plans are accepted for direct outpatient therapy services at the facility.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Equest: Large Dallas, Texas-based non-profit providing equine-assisted therapy, adaptive horsemanship, and mental health services. Comparable as a comprehensive PATH/AHA-aligned center with hippotherapy and experiential programs, but at significantly larger scale.
• HorseAbility: Long Island, New York non-profit operating PATH-certified adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-facilitated programs for children and adults with disabilities. Directly comparable multi-modality therapy center with similar populations.
• Cheff Center for the Handicapped: PATH Premier Accredited center in Augusta, Michigan providing hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities. Highly comparable as a non-profit equestrian therapy center with a similar mission, certifications, and rider population.
• SpiritHorse: Texas-based non-profit operating equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding programs for children with disabilities, including autism and special needs. Comparable mission and rider profile, with a multi-site operating model.
• Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Center: Georgia non-profit providing equine-assisted activities and therapy for individuals with disabilities. Directly comparable as a Premier PATH center delivering hippotherapy and adaptive riding to children and adults.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: Old Lyme, Connecticut non-profit offering hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and equine-facilitated learning programs to children, adults, and veterans with special needs. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary, PATH/AHA-aligned therapy program with a similar rider demographic.
• Mane Stream: New Jersey non-profit offering occupational/physical/speech therapy incorporating equine movement, plus adaptive riding and veteran services. Closely mirrors EE's integrated OT/PT/Speech + hippotherapy delivery model.

Emerging players

• Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation: Non-profit offering equine-assisted programs as part of broader veteran/military family mental-health retreats. Comparable on the equine-assisted therapy modality but with a narrower veteran-focused mission rather than pediatric special-needs.

Broad incumbents

• American Hippotherapy Association (AHA): Professional organization that certifies Hippotherapy Clinical Specialists (HPCS) including EE's CEO. Provides treatment principles and education that govern hippotherapy practice across the industry.
• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International: Industry body that accredits centers (EE is a PATH center member) and certifies instructors. Functions as the broader incumbent governing the standards under which EE operates; not a direct competitor but the umbrella organization for the category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ExceptionalEquestriansCompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exceptional-equestrians-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Exceptional Equestrians