Frequently Asked Questions

What programs does EquiCenter offer?

EquiCenter provides equine-assisted services, therapeutic horticulture, and nature-based wellness experiences for individuals of all abilities, veterans, first responders, and youth. Key offerings include Adaptive Riding, Unmounted Horsemanship, Wild Mustang Gentling (Mission Mustang®), Therapeutic Horticulture, Food Pharmacy Partnership with Trillium Health, Cooking with Heroes, Social Skills Group Activities and Classes for Adults with Disabilities, and the integrated HEAL (Horticulture & Equine Active Learning) curriculum.  

 

Where is EquiCenter located and what area do you serve?

EquiCenter is located at the William and Mildred Levine Ranch at 3247 Rush Mendon Road, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472. We serve participants, families, veterans, and first responders across Greater Rochester, Monroe, Ontario, and Livingston Counties, and the surrounding Western New York region.  

 

What equine-assisted therapeutic programs are available for military veterans and first responders?

EquiCenter offers dedicated programs including Heroes & Horses (adaptive riding and unmounted horsemanship), Mission Mustang® (wild horse gentling in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management), and the Veteran Farm & Wellness program. These programs support physical recovery, muscle stimulation, post-traumatic stress (PTS), and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). All horticulture programs are provided at no cost to veterans. We also offer seasonal workshops and a Cooking with Heroes farm-to-table cooking class.

 

What is Therapeutic Horticulture at EquiCenter?

Therapeutic Horticulture engages participants in hands-on organic farming, plant propagation, maple syrup production, and beekeeping and more at the 96-foot farm greenhouse. The program supports emotional healing, cognitive skill development, and motor strength while growing fresh produce for community hunger relief and farm-to-table cooking classes. 

 

How do I register as a participant, and is there a waitlist?
Prospective participants, families, caregivers, or partner programs can fill out interest forms online at equicenterny.org or contact our office directly at (585) 624-7777 or email us at info@equicenterny.org. Please note that due to high demand, EquiCenter maintains a waitlist for our Adaptive Riding program. We encourage interested participants and families to submit an inquiry early to join the list, and our team can also recommend unmounted horsemanship or horticulture options available in the interim.

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How can individuals and groups volunteer at EquiCenter?

EquiCenter offers several flexible volunteer opportunities tailored to different interests and schedules:  

• Equine Program Volunteers: Support adaptive riding and barn care (ages 14+; no prior horse experience required). 

• Single-Day & Farm Volunteers: Options include flexible drop-in shifts for experienced gardeners or scheduled group workdays covering planting, weeding, trellising, mulching, and harvesting on our 3-acre teaching farm. 

• Group Volunteering: Ideal for corporate teams, civic organizations, and school groups seeking single-day community service projects.  ​

 

Does EquiCenter offer school field trips, corporate retreats, or pony parties?
Yes! EquiCenter hosts a variety of group experiences on the ranch:

• School Field Trips & Outings: Through our HEAL (Horticulture & Equine Active Learning) program, we host 1-day or multi-week outdoor field trips for K-12 schools, youth groups, and social organizations.

• Corporate Team-Building Outings & Retreats: Customized outdoor wellness activities, team challenges, and space to build camaraderie in a secure farm setting.

• Pony Parties: Private 2-hour celebrations open to all ages and abilities on Saturdays and Sundays (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.). Packages start at $325 for up to 12 guests ($25/additional guest, up to 20 max) and include a private heated classroom, pony-themed decorations, a guided barn/pasture tour, and grooming/hands-on time with two Pony Pals led by an EquiCenter host. Note: Pony Parties focus on ground-based hands-on horse time and education and do not include riding opportunities.

 

For booking questions, email Sara at smclaughlin@equicenterny.org.