For animal science and psychology student Josephine Pigeon, the Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies course she planned to take for the fall 2017 semester fit her areas of interest perfectly. 

"I went into it hoping to get an idea of what my career would be like," said Pigeon.

Little did she know, by December she would be changing lives.

Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies encompasses a range of activities and therapies with horses to promote human physical and mental health. These therapies are for individuals with and without special needs, including those with physical, cognitive and emotional issues. U of A EAAT students are offered hands-on learning experiences throughout the semester.

An animal science service learning course, Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies requires students to complete the service learning component in one of two ways: either by volunteering at a local EAAT facility or by working with an EAAT agency to determine and work toward an agency goal.

Pigeon chose to work with the Courage Therapeutic Riding Center in Prarie Grove, a nonprofit co-founded by U of A equine science graduates Jessie Kersh and Lexie Kerr.

"In August, she asked us if a mounting ramp would be something Courage was interested in," said Kersh. "Mounting ramps are crucial for any riding center for a multitude of reasons. Allowing the physically disabled to comfortably mount a horse and making it possible for small children to see eye to eye [with a horse] is an incredible opportunity."

So, Pigeon set off to reach her goal. She needed to raise $2,500 to purchase the mounting ramp. What was once just a college course became a project that would bring together and encourage an entire community.

"From corporate lunch fundraisers, spaghetti dinners, babysitting fundraisers at churches, online campaigns, thank you videos, getting her peers involved, and more," said Kersh, "Josie has whole-heartedly taken a task on that she created and made it happen.

"As a lifelong supporter of the EAAT industry, Josie is a powerhouse in whatever she chooses to accomplish, and we couldn't be more blessed to have found her through this course. She has done hours of research, spoken in front of large crowds, made videos, networked, and reached out. I had no idea that the option for the 21 hour special project would get us here, but she's done it. It seems that where Josie finds a will, there is a way."