Shining Stars Therapeutic Riding Program

06/03/2026

We may be in between our Spring and Summer sessions, but our team and herd are hard at work. Oreo currently works in our therapeutic riding and unmounted Equine Connection program. He is training to become a therapeutic cart driving horse and, as you can see, is taking to it quite well. Good job Oreo!

06/02/2026

We are happy to have been featured in a recent edition of Lancaster Farming.

Shining Stars Therapeutic Riding grew from a church program into a leading Pennsylvania nonprofit serving special needs riders, veterans and seniors.

05/28/2026

Our first week of Summer Horse Camp is full, but we have ONE open spot for our second week. This camp, intended for more independent riders ages 13-16, will be held from June 15-19. Act now to reserve the final spot!https://shiningstarstr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Independent-HORSE-CAMP-registration.pdf

05/26/2026

We were honored to be named the nonprofit of the year by The Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County! The therapeutic horsemanship programs we provide impact so many people in so many ways, and we are happy that this work is being recognized by our community.

Thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and horses who make our mission possible!

05/24/2026

Shining Stars attended the Honoring Heroes at St. Mark's Church in Hanover. We had the chance to enjoy music, food, and show our support for our veterans at this community hero celebration. Happy Memorial Day weekend to all our Veterans who have dedicated their service to our country. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

Herd Highlight

Meet Dorothy!

Breed: Quarter horse pony

Shining Stars program: Therapeutic Riding and the occasional Equine Connection class

With Shining Stars since: 2020

Age: 10

Best friend in the herd: Samson

Favorite thing: Belly scratches

Fun fact: She was donated to us by our vet TreeHorse Veterinary Services, Inc. Our founder Brandy Crago spent several years teaching her the fundamentals of therapeutic riding and some trick training (which makes sense if you knew Brandy!)

Sponsored by: Vaughn Crago

Generous horse sponsors ensure that Dorothy and her friends get the food, care, and medicine they need to help our community. You can sponsor a horse at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/horsesponsorship/?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0e179owt&fbclid=IwY2xjawRnJPlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSeElPUlE3OVB2VGtZSFNXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgExRPnCaPYMhRGl_q9HlQaTKlj349iJ5mVY8815dClNtagWZULjFexaxqTZ_aem_uNkh0Yxrlddo5Whf1JKGjw&brid=YWdncwGnnTLTfQTwKrQBdlVg5Dlg

📷: Susan E Izard

05/21/2026

The Shining Stars Mini Horses took our new minivan for a spin and visited the residents at Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community! Thelma and Louise loved to see the smiles on the residents' and workers' faces.

05/20/2026

Stars and Stripes programming is off to a great start in 2026! We are proud to offer therapeutic horsemanship programs free of charge to people who served our country. The next Stars and Stripes program is on May 30. For more information and all 2026 dates, visit https://shiningstarstr.org/stars-stripes-for-veterans/

05/18/2026

Shining Stars is proud to receive financial support from both the Gettysburg Adams Kiwanis Club and Hanover Kiwanis Club. Those two groups donate funds to nonprofits like Shining Stars because of their annual blueberry sale. Each box of blueberries helps nonprofits in our community! Visit the page of whichever Kiwanis Club is nearest to you to place your order.

Thank you to both Kiwanis Clubs for their support of Shining Stars! Gettysburg orders here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BvmaQSSE6/

🫐💙 BLUEBERRY SEASON IS HERE! 💙🫐
The annual Kiwanis Blueberry Sale is officially OPEN!

✨ Sweet, juicy, farm-fresh blueberries are back — and they’re going FAST! For just $36 per box, you can stock up on a summer favorite while supporting the amazing work our local Kiwanis does right here in our community. 💛

Perfect for:
🫐 Snacking
🥧 Pies & cobblers
🧁 Muffins
🫙 Freezing for later
🍓 Summer recipes

📅 Order deadline: June 22, 2026
📍 Pickup: Emory H Markle Middle School
🗓 Monday, June 29, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

🛒 Order online today:
www.HanoverKiwanis.org

🚨 ORDER TODAY….Don’t wait — these delicious berries always sell out fast!💙🫐

05/13/2026

Shining Stars is proud to maintain a scholarship fund so that our therapeutic horsemanship programs are accessible to everyone in our community. Last year we awarded $15,000 worth of scholarships to our participants thanks to the generosity of our donors! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this fund.

You can make a donation to this fund by selecting 'Scholarship Fund' from the drop-down menu at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/shiningstarstherapeuticridingprogram/