History

Thomas J. (Buckeye) Stricklin
Would you like to be a volunteer, donate a horse, equipment, etc, or make a monetary donation?

           Heart's Desire Therapeutic Riding Center is the culmination of a dream.

         Karen Cates has always had a desire to help children and young people

         improve themselves by instilling a desire of hope and achievement through

         exposure to new experiences and challenges in their lives.  She has a

         firm belief that expectations and responsibility improve and stretch the

         goals and abilities of individuals when combined with encouragement and

         positive reinforcement.

                                

           Karen received her degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Juvenile

         Corrections.  She had hopes of working with youth at risk in intervention

         programs, but made the decision to stay home and raise her own five children.



           Several years ago she came across the concept of Therapeutic Riding.  Her

         love of horses immediately inspired the fulfillment of her dream through

         this concept.  Upon sharing the idea with her father, he too, with his love

         of children and riding, began to catch the vision.  God called "Buckeye"

         Stricklin home before the dream became reality, but his love and inspiration

         are a motivating force in its culmination.  Karen's faith and her horses

         have been a powerful force in her own healing and coping with the loss and

         grief.



           Karen's "Heart's Desire" is now reality.  With the formation of a non-profit

         organization, others will also be able to share in the joy of giving hope and

         freedom to children and adults with special needs.