Therapeutic riding · Sunland-Tujunga
Special Spirit
Adaptive riding lessons and equine-assisted therapy at a Shadow Hills/Sunland ranch for children and adults with special needs, led by PATH-certified instructors and licensed therapists.
- Ages
- Up to age 21
- Price
- Ask the provider
- Where
- 9889 Helen Ave., Sunland-Tujunga
Adaptive riding and equine-assisted therapy
Adaptive riding lessons and equine-assisted therapy at a ranch in Shadow Hills/Sunland, for people of all abilities, including children and adults with special needs, underserved youth, and people navigating recovery or seeking emotional healing. Riding instruction is led by PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructors and instructors who follow PATH guidelines. Equine-assisted therapy is offered with licensed marriage and family therapists on staff, using animal-assisted and trauma-informed approaches, along with equine coaching and mindfulness programs and Natural Lifemanship-certified facilitators. Staff include Eva Lund (Executive Director, PATH certified instructor, EAGALA certified equine specialist) and Cassie Hurlbut (PATH certified instructor). Adults are served too; the program also runs a youth empowerment track. Contact by phone or text at (323) 661-3090.
- Adaptive riding lessons, Equine-assisted therapy, Equine-assisted coaching and mindfulness and Trauma-informed equine-assisted services
- Eva Lund, PATH International Certified Riding Instructor, EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Cassie Hurlbut, PATH International Certified Riding Instructor, EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Katie Griner, LMFT and Nicoletta Heidegger, LMFT
- Where care happens: At the clinic or office
- Activities: Therapeutic riding and Child therapy & counseling
About Special Spirit
Special Spirit Inc. is a Los Angeles nonprofit (501(c)(3)) founded by Eva Lund, who opened Moonshadow Ranch in Shadow Hills in 2005 and later started Special Spirit. It provides inclusive equine-assisted services for people with special needs, at-risk youth, and people in recovery, including adaptive riding lessons, equine-assisted therapy, coaching and mindfulness, and team building. The ranch is at 9889 Helen Ave. (the site header says Shadow Hills, the footer Sunland). The ranch also has a small farm with goats, mini horses, a donkey and pigs.
- Nonprofit 501(c)(3)
- PATH International certified riding instructors
- EAGALA certified equine specialists
- Licensed marriage and family therapists on staff
Where and how to reach them
9889 Helen Ave.Sunland-Tujunga, CA 91040
Details from specialspirit.org, checked October 12, 2026. Prices, dates and spaces change: check with Special Spirit before you sign up. Something wrong or missing? Write to hello@summerground.com.
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