Stable Grounds provides hope and healing for hearts and minds.

The dream of Stable Grounds began in 2015 when Heritage intermediate School Counselor, Kori Cripe and former Middlebury Community School Superintendent, Jane Allen saw an increased need for timely mental health support for students and families in the community. Kori had witnessed transformational client experiences utilizing horses through her training and certification in the global equine assisted psychotherapy model EAGALA. These two determined women began diligently working to bring this innovative equine therapy to Middlebury.

In 2018 The Robert Weed Foundation heard of the project to support the mental health needs of students and families in the community. Their generous family quickly jumped at the chance to financially support building a state-of-the-art facility. The Bob Miller family of Essenhaus Restaurant graciously donated almost 4 acres of land in the most ideal of locations – directly adjacent to the main campus of Middlebury Community Schools! With that, the dreams of many became reality, and the 501(c)3 Stable Grounds, Inc was formed.

The not-for-profit broke ground on an indoor arena in the spring of 2020. With the facility completed and the herd of horses chosen, we were able to open our doors to providing services to students in the fall of 2021! The need Cripe and Allen had seen developing almost 10 years ago was very real. Stable Grounds appointment schedule was full within a few weeks’ time. By September the facility was serving 40-50 students a week ages K-12 with a waiting list.