ABOUT US                                                                       Board of Directors

Miles of Smiles is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization that offers children and adults with physical, mental, emotional and social disabilities or injuries the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding.  The program is located in Garden City, KS, and serves riders from throughout southwest Kansas.

The program was founded in early 1997 by Joyce Adams, who served as the Director from 1997 through 2004, and who is currently one of four certified instructors.  In its beginning, Miles of Smiles was operated entirely by volunteers, but in 2005 the program has grown enough that a part time paid manager was hired. Mile of Smiles is supported in large part by contributions from the public. 

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of Miles of Smiles to provide therapeutic horse assisted activities to individuals with disabilities to enhance their health, independence and quality of life.  

Our purpose is to make available a riding facility, appropriate horses, and professional expertise to integrate therapeutic and recreational horseback riding purposes.  Our hope for the future is to continue to grow and serve more people each year by developing a comprehensive program which will promote new services and activities.

THE NORTH AMERICAN RIDING FOR THE HANDICAPPED ASSOC. (NARHA)

Miles of Smiles is a member of NARHA, which is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promoting and ensuring the safety & quality of therapeutic riding programs.  This is achieved through education, communication, the setting & upholding of national standards, and accreditation processes.  Today, riders, therapists, instructors, and volunteers alike recognize the profound significance of the growing number of equine facilitated therapies and activities represented by NARHA.

Miles of Smiles has met the criteria to become a NARHA-certified therapeutic riding program, and is committed to upholding the highest safety and organizational standards set forth by NARHA.  The standards help ensure that the program is safe, that there is a means for ongoing assessment and improvement, and that our services continue to reflect current knowledge of therapeutic riding.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS