Lucky Farms / Children’s TherAplay
Children's TherAplay at Lucky Farms is a nonprofit pediatric therapy clinic offering innovative hippotherapy — physical, occupational, and speech therapy delivered on horseback — for children with disabilities.
Children's TherAplay at Lucky Farms is a nonprofit pediatric therapy clinic offering innovative hippotherapy — physical, occupational, and speech therapy delivered on horseback — for children with disabilities.
Children’s TherAplay Foundation, Inc., located on the grounds of Lucky Farms in Carmel, Indiana, is a nationally recognized nonprofit pediatric outpatient clinic dedicated to transforming the lives of children with disabilities through the power of equine-assisted therapy. As the largest clinic in the United States offering hippotherapy — a specialized therapeutic approach that harnesses the natural movement of horses to deliver physical, occupational, and speech therapy — Children’s TherAplay provides a truly unique and profoundly impactful experience for its young patients and their families.
Founded in 2001, the organization grew from a visionary partnership between an occupational therapist and Craig Dobbs, the owner of Lucky Farms, who recognized the extraordinary therapeutic potential of his horses. What began as a small program has blossomed into a state-of-the-art facility serving children from across Central Indiana and beyond. The clinic’s sensory-rich environment, combined with the rhythmic, multidimensional movement of the horse, helps children achieve breakthroughs in motor skills, balance, coordination, communication, and cognitive development that might be difficult to attain through conventional therapy alone.
The organization celebrates every milestone — a child’s first steps, first words, and other significant achievements — as a testament to the dedication of its therapists, the generosity of its supporters, and the remarkable healing power of the human-horse connection. Children’s TherAplay is committed to making its services accessible to all families in need, regardless of financial circumstances, through a robust scholarship and financial assistance program. Visitors to Lucky Farms can witness firsthand the joy and progress that defines the Children’s TherAplay experience, making it one of the most heartwarming and inspiring attractions in the Indianapolis area.