King’s Home, a Christian-focused and service-oriented organization in Chelsea, Alabama, recently expanded its Equine Therapy Program.
The organization, which serves youth, women and mothers seeking shelter, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week, dedicating its new horse barn in honor of the donors who made the expansion possible.
“The Morton Family Barn” at King’s Stables was named in recognition of Barry and Catherine Morton along with their adult children Lynn Morton Schrago, Bill Morton, Katherine Morton Gurley, Mary Dorothy Morton, and Catherine’s parents Mary and Bob Byrd of Mobile.
The new 12-stall horse barn boasts stunning woodwork, a 120 ft. long welcoming porch and a birthing stall. Included in each stall are an automatic watering bowl, rubber floor mats and a hay rack accessible from the barn corridor. It also features a tack room, wash stall and feed room with a sink and counter.
Catherine Morton praised the organization’s addition of its new horse barn and touched on her family’s dedication to faith-based causes.
“Our family has always had a heart for ministry groups working with children and it’s always a blessing when we visit a King’s Home facility,” said Morton. “We’re so thankful for the faithful leadership of John Hall as the project manager and the beautiful woodwork by Chris Waldren. We know that spending time with God’s creation in a beautiful setting is the greatest therapy and this barn will make a great impact on many lives at King’s Home.”
King’s Stables was launched in 2012 as an equine-assisted therapy program for King’s Home residents and other nonprofit partners. According to the organization, the program has experienced significant growth over the years and expects further growth in the near future.
King’s Home advised that its Equine Therapy Program strives to help residents and other participants develop needed skills and character traits, such as accountability, self-confidence, responsibility, problem-solving skills, and self-control.
The program currently holds over 100 participants and averages 80 sessions monthly. Participants include King’s Home residents, nonprofits, homeschool groups, community members and volunteers. The program, led by King’s Stables instructors and co-managers Callie Smelley and Kelly Bloomfield, offers therapeutic riding, equestrian education, camps and other services.
King’s Home president Lew Burdette spoke to the lasting impacts that the Morton family’s donation will have on the organization.
“The Morton Family’s generous gift is a lasting legacy that God will use to transform lives of abused youth, moms, and kids at King’s Home plus many others for decades to come,” proclaimed Burdette.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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