Ahead With Horses (AWH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with special needs discover new abilities and achieve new heights through hippotherapy and vaulting. Hippotherapy is therapeutic activity on horseback, and vaulting is gymnastics on a moving horse. AWH was founded by Liz and Lew Helms in 1968. Their mission is to "maximize the potential of disabled, disadvantaged, special-needs children." They also strive to "measurably improve physical, mental, social and/ or emotional results by utilizing increased self-sufficiency and the abilityto lead independent, productive lives." It has been found that children who have difficulty communicating verbally respond particularly well to activities involving horses. Children of all ages are served at AWH, and over 100,000 have benefited from this program since its start. Children with any disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy or epilepsy, are welcomed. AWH owns 12 horses, from ponies to Clydesdales, although only 7 are currently being used in the program. All the horses are safe, calm and patient mounts for the children. During their lesson, children move through different vaulting positions of varying difficulty, from sitting forwards to standing up on the horse's back. As keeping 12 horses is very expensive, young people can make a difference by making a donation to AWH. If you are 14 or older, Ahead With Horses is always looking for volunteers to lead or take care of the horses.