Simple Changes Therapeutic Riding Center

Tomorrow is the day! 🍷 We can't wait to see everyone at The Winery at Bull Run tomorrow, Sunday, July 26th at 1:00 PM.

Come enjoy the summer weather, listen to some great music, and help us push toward our $7,000 goal for our riders. Look for our table in the family area when you arrive!

Who's joining us tomorrow? Tag your wine tasting buddy below!

Making your weekend plans? Here is everything you need to know for Wine for a Cause this Sunday, July 26th!

📍 Where: The Winery at Bull Run (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
🧺 Food & Drinks: Food trucks and pizza will be available on-site, or feel free to pack your own picnic basket!
🎵 Entertainment: Live acoustic music starting at 2:00 PM.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Where to find us: Look for the Simple Changes signs in the outdoor family-friendly seating area!

Grab your favorite people and come relax for a great cause!

This Sunday! 🍷 Join us for Wine for a Cause at The Winery at Bull Run on Sunday, July 26th, from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM!

It's going to be a fantastic, relaxed afternoon with live music (2–5 PM), food trucks, fresh pizza, and great company in the outdoor family seating area. Every glass raised helps us work toward our $7,000 goal for our programs!

No ticket required - just bring your family and friends and come hang out (and make sure to give us your receipt when you leave). Can't make it? You can still help us fill the bottle online at simplechanges.org/donate! See you this Sunday!

Simple Changes is hiring for a licensed mental health specialist!

Job Title:.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Specialist.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or other licensed mental health provider.
Location:
Simple Changes Farm, Lorton, Virginia. Beautiful farm in Fairfax, VA with indoor arena
Job Type:
Approximately 10-15 hours per week. Can be shared with multiple mental health specialists. Competitive hourly or contract wage. Commensurate with industry standards and experience.
Position:
Work under an existing grant that provides free, equine assisted mental health services to appropriate individuals and groups. Partner with a certified Equine Specialist that is provided by us and has at least one of the following credentials: PATH Intl., Eagala, Equine Experiential Education (E3A) and Coaching with Horses.
About Us:
Simple Changes opened in 2005 to enable individuals with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges to develop meaningful connections with horses, helping people to grow stronger physically and experience more joy and independence in their lives. We provide therapeutic riding and horsemanship, hippotherapy, equine assisted learning and equine assisted psychotherapy at our farm in Lorton, VA.
At Simple Changes, we believe that true mental health breakthroughs often happen outside an office setting. Our facility provides a safe, serene setting where clients can connect deeply with themselves through the healing power of our experienced horse and the guidance of a mental health professional and equine specialist. Mental health sessions are unmounted. We prioritize clinical excellence, safety, and evidence-based practices in all of our sessions.
The Role:
Simple Changes is seeking a dedicated, trauma-informed LCSW or other licensed mental health professional to join our team. In this role, you will facilitate ground-based equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) sessions for individuals,
groups, and families navigating anxiety, PTSD, grief, and life transitions. Please note that all EAP work is ground-based; no riding or equestrian background is required for clients.
Key Responsibilities:
● Conduct clinical intakes, assessments, and treatment planning.
● Co-facilitate ground-based equine-assisted therapy sessions.
● Collaborate closely with our certified Equine Specialists before, during and after sessions.
● Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation and progress notes.
● Report clinical documentation to grant as required
Requirements & Credentials:
● Licensure: Active and unrestricted license to practice in Virginia.
● Prefer Specialized Training: Certification or documented advanced training in an established EAP framework (e.g., EAGALA, PATH Intl., Natural Lifemanship).
● Experience: Minimum of 10 years of clinical experience, with at least several months specifically integrating equines into practice.
● Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions alongside large animals.
● Connections: Ability to bring in individual, group and family clients ready for treatment within your area of expertise in order to meet grant-required client contact hours. Services are free to clients.
What We Offer:
● Competitive compensation
● Access to a well-maintained herd of horses trained in therapeutic activities
● Collaborating with a highly trained, dedicated Equine Specialist
● Availability of stipends for EAP certifications and CEUs as appropriate
● Flexible scheduling
How to Apply: Ready to take your practice outdoors? Send your resume, cover letter, and proof of licensure and EAP certification or experience (if any) to [email protected]

Lessons are canceled today, Saturday, for the bad air quality. Stay safe everyone!

Keep the momentum going! After the incredible success of our Midyear Challenge, we want to celebrate with you in person.

Join us at The Winery at Bull Run on Sunday, July 26th from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM for Wine for a Cause!

This is a totally relaxed afternoon - grab some pizza, enjoy live music (2-5 PM), and hang out with us in the outdoor, family-friendly area. We have a goal of raising $7,000 to keep our momentum moving forward.

Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and let's raise a glass together! For full details, visit https://simplechanges.org/events/wine-for-a-cause/

We did it!

Our Midyear Matching Challenge wrapped up on July 1st, and our team has spent the last week carefully totaling up every single generous gift.

Because of YOU, we officially met and surpassed our goal! Every dollar matched means double the impact for our riders, our horses, and our programs. We are incredibly grateful for this community's dedication to keeping our participants thriving.

Thank you for stepping up to support Stella and her equine friends! We couldn't do this work without you.

"Stella knows me. She makes feel happy and special." – Jodi
"Stella is calm. I learned to canter on her and that makes her special to me." – Danielle, Independent Rider
"I feel peaceful when I am with Stella. My brain settles." – Mental Health Client

We are entering the final day of our Matching Challenge. To everyone who has already given - thank you. To everyone who has been meaning to - the clock is ticking!

Any gift made today goes twice as far to support the horse care, feed, and specialized training that allows Stella to be exactly what our riders need her to be.

Let's cross the finish line together!

👉 Give today and double your love for Stella: https://simplechanges.org/events/matching-challenge/