CHATS

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CHATS CHATS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit horse therapy center located in Yorktown, Virginia. We provide servi My name is Dr. Megan B. It was devastating to say the least.

McGavern, DO, MS, FACP....but more importantly, I am Cole's mother. Let me start out by saying it's been a long road!! At times so difficult, frustrating and isolating, I have not known how I was going to survive another minute....but then there have been days so beautiful, and breakthroughs so amazing, it has taken my breath away. Our son Cole was diagnosed with autism at age 4. A few days of sadness and disbelief then led to unending research and "warrior mode" on how I could heal my child. Along the way, I read a book titled "The Horse Boy", written by Rupert Isaacson. It changed our lives forever. We took Cole out of public school, created a homeschooling Movement Method (MM) program in 2017 and a Horseboy Method (HBM) program in 2018. In 2019, my husband and I bought almost 18 acres in Yorktown, to create what I have called a "Horse Boy masterpiece". We transitioned to the land in April 2020 with Majana and Diego. Our third Horse Boy horse, Neron, arrived from Germany in May of 2021 after 18 months of intense training. My son is not "neurotypical" by any means at this point, but we have gone from 10 words in a day to 300 plus words in an hour on the horse. We have gone from driving him to a feeding clinic in Richmond for 2 years, to him being above 90th percentile in weight. We have gone from not being able to go to the beach because he couldn't bear to step on sand, to it is now one of his most beloved places. We have gone from lugging a bike to OT for years trying to get him to be able to ride to he now can ride a bike scooter, and hover board all by himself!! We are grateful to have been able to do such a far-fetched thing and hope to be able to share this with those in the community who are going through similar struggles. Here's to strength, hope, community, peace and faith! CHATS does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color,
national origin, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.

Some more evidence based medicine for you published in The American Academy of Pediatrics!! A randomized clinical trial ...
10/10/2026

Some more evidence based medicine for you published in The American Academy of Pediatrics!! A randomized clinical trial demonstrating statistically significant improvements in behavior and sensory dysregulation in autistic children with behavioral diagnoses who were in the therapeutic riding group AND the group that did not get randomized to therapeutic riding BUT were exposed to barn activity.

Email us at [email protected] to schedule your child for a play date! It will change your life 🐎💙


https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/doi/10.1542/peds.2026-077263/210741/Therapeutic-Horseback-Riding-for-Youth-With-Autism?redirectedFrom=fulltext&fbclid=IwdGRleAU2VARleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUP8SD7CL8DmCPD_l7aWUAn7y8LRh7HNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5sqLTK5NoVZKtjXtwArYf14dZNcGPbzkuvcBDEgftZDPSXlwIve-HHU8nV8g_aem_S5cpxECePEccbp-x9d0BwA?autologincheck%3Dredirected?autologincheck=redirected

10.1542/6404221739112Video AbstractPEDS-VA_2026-0772636404221739112OBJECTIVE. Autism spectrum disorder care is often complicated by co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Equine-assisted services show promise for improving behavioral outcomes in this population. We aimed to examine benefits of equine-as...

10/10/2026

Yorktown VA Rotary Club, we thank you SO much for your donation/contribution to our organization!! This helps support our programs, horses and provides scholarships to the families we serve!!!

We are looking for volunteers!Our biggest area of need is help with playdates.Playdates run mon-fri with varying times b...
10/05/2026

We are looking for volunteers!

Our biggest area of need is help with playdates.
Playdates run mon-fri with varying times between 1230-5pm

& also occasional barn chores

please reach out to [email protected] if interested!

10/04/2026

This morning we laid to rest at CHATS, Diego, who was the second Horse Boy horse I purchased in 2020. These videos are my fondest memories of him. He is with Majana in all of them and he has now joined her in heaven. He allowed Cole to ride independently for the first time at the trot and canter, he allowed Cole to jump for the first time and gave us the ability to start Cole's Horse Autism Therpay Station 501 (c)(3) in 2020. He has touched so many lives over the years and there are many teary eyes across the country.


10/02/2026

Another "Get to know the faces of CHATS " interview with the amazing Lee Gonzalez! She is a long time, avid equestrian who has certifications in all levels of Horse Boy Method, Movement Method and Tahkin. She has been involved since 2019 when it initially was just our beloved Majana, through present time, working with every horse in between!!
We thank you Lee for all you dedication to our mission here at CHATS!

Dr. Megan McGavern, Founder and Executive Director of CHATS ,was again a Top Doc winner of 2026 for Coastal Virginia Ma...
09/28/2026

Dr. Megan McGavern, Founder and Executive Director of CHATS ,was again a Top Doc winner of 2026 for Coastal Virginia Magazine!!

09/22/2026

*Reminder to all those who attended "Movement Method, Across Service Lines, Across America" on September 11th, to complete the surveys you were sent via email from EasternVirginia Medical School/Old Dominion University to receive Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits - 7.25 CME credits possible. Survey will have to be completed by this Friday Sept 25th to receive CME.*

We thank you again for an amazing turn out, in person and virtually!! As always, looking forward to the next one (with a little time to breath in between😉)

Raffle Fundraiser is LIVE!Enter to win a one night stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront...
09/22/2026

Raffle Fundraiser is LIVE!

Enter to win a one night stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront!

Stay in & relax or explore all that Virginia Beach has to offer especially with the holidays right around the corner!

Link for tickets:
https://square.link/u/HRrDX5gw

SENSORY SATURDAY TRACTOR TREAT IS COMING!join us for a morning full of costumes, treats, and LOTS of fun!email us at exp...
09/21/2026

SENSORY SATURDAY TRACTOR TREAT IS COMING!

join us for a morning full of costumes, treats, and LOTS of fun!

email us at [email protected] to sign up by Oct 22nd!

CHATS FRIENDS!Fall Craft ShowSaturday October 10th. 8am-3pmColony Friends Churchcome out & support local vendors with a ...
09/18/2026

CHATS FRIENDS!

Fall Craft Show
Saturday October 10th. 8am-3pm
Colony Friends Church

come out & support local vendors with a portion of the proceeds benefiting CHATS!

Address

100 Old Pond Road
Arlington, VA
23692

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