Equine therapy program gets off the ground in Columbia County

Tulip the miniature donkey and Chum Chum the miniature horse made their grand debut at the Columbia County Health System's Dayton campus as part of the new equine therapy program.

Equine therapy aims to create patient interactions with these animals to support goals in physical, occupational and speech therapy. The program will also help patients work on improving balance, strength, coordination, confidence and sensory processing in an engaging and supportive environment.

All activities done through the equine therapy program will be groundwork, meaning all interactions with the animals will be on the ground without riding.

Tulip and Chum Chum soaked in the attention from about 75 community members at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 8.

Occupational therapist and Tulip's owner Mollee Gray said that this program is a natural fit for the area because she and many other people in the community grew up around horses.

"There is healing power and magic working with these animals," Gray said.

The program was developed by Gray alongside fellow occupational therapist and Chum Chum's owner, Cassidy Crider. They also were shaped by a previous internship at an equine-assisted therapy facility.

Tulip is 10, and Chum Chum is 15. Gray and Crider have been with them since the animals were 1, and the animals are familiar with human interaction.

Physical therapy assistant Jessica Scott went with her daughter Addilyn, 1, to meet the animals and said that the program will add many benefits to the community, with everyone from kids to adults able to participate.

"It's pretty amazing," Scott said. "We know the therapeutic power of horses."

Chum Chum and Tulip were patient with everyone coming up to meet them. One participant, Juliet Perez Garcia, 6, pet Chum Chum's side and said it made her feel "100%."

Gray said that the main goal is to help provide another tool for the health system's therapy program where equine therapy can be an option.

Director of Rehabilitation Services at Columbia County Health System Michael Schwarz said that this program is the only one of its kind regionally because it's in a hospital setting. The program is already taking a waitlist.

The equine therapy program will start fully in the coming months, and updates about patient access and referrals for the program will be announced through the hospital soon.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.