The morning of March 19th brought a special kind of buzz to the ranch at Green Acres Interactive Therapy. Horses leaned curiously over their stalls, volunteers prepped the grounds with quiet excitement, and the GAIT team moved with a sense of purpose. For the first time, a group of public school students would be spending the day here — exploring, engaging, and connecting in ways that only happen in a place like this.
For Margaret Rich, GAIT’s founder, it was more than a special day. It was the realization of a vision she’s carried for years: to create a welcoming, therapeutic space where public school students — not just those in therapy — could experience the calm, joy, and healing that animals and nature can provide.
Margaret’s heart for these students has never been in question. But making the vision a reality meant working closely with the school district to navigate logistics, safety protocols, and curriculum alignment — all the pieces required to bring students out of the classroom and into an interactive setting.
By 2024, everything was in place — except there wasn’t money available for transportation, and the visit had to be postponed.
In 2025, Margaret quietly stepped in and paid for the buses herself.
Because for her, the experience wasn’t optional — it was essential. And that morning, as students experienced the ranch at their own pace, met the horses, and took in the sensory richness of the environment, it was clear: something meaningful was happening. Something worth continuing.
The day was the result of cooperation, trust, and care. Margaret didn’t do it alone — but it wouldn’t have happened without her. And for every student who came, the impact went far beyond a field trip. It was a reminder of what’s possible when vision meets partnership — and when someone cares enough to make it happen.
If you’d like to help GAIT make this happen again — through sponsorship, volunteering, or simply spreading the word — visit gaitprogram.org. Your support can help turn a powerful moment into an annual tradition.