Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of East Texas provides therapeutic horsemanship experiences
Louie the Lightning Bug walks Rocco at the Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Gilmer, Texas.
SHREVEPORT, La. (March 31, 2025) – The American Electric Power Foundation, at the request of Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), recently awarded a grant of $38,500 to the Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of East Texas, Inc. (Windridge), specifically to fund rider scholarships for individuals with special needs and veterans. This gift aims to enhance access to therapeutic horsemanship for those who can benefit most.
“We are thrilled to support Windridge in their endeavor to provide scholarships for individuals who have served our country and those with special needs,” said Mark Robinson, SWEPCO External Affairs Manager. “This grant represents our commitment to enhancing community well-being and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of horses.”
Founded in 1988 by Margo Dewkett, an ex-racehorse jockey, Windridge has been a beacon of hope and empowerment for children and adults with disabilities for over three decades. Starting with just five horses and two clients, Margo’s vision has evolved into a premier accredited center recognized by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH, Intl.).
Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center rider Landri Malone holds an AEP Foundation check for therapeutic horsemanship with the help of Rocco and Mark Robinson, SWEPCO External Affairs Manager. Proceeds from the grant will support rider scholarships for those with special needs, veterans.
Under Margo’s leadership, Windridge became the first center in Texas to design and build a facility specifically for therapeutic horsemanship, a model that has since been adopted nationwide. The state-of-the-art facility, completed in January 2002, was entirely funded by the support of the East Texas community.
Reflecting on the significance of the grant, Windridge Executive Director Celia Bower said, “This generous support from the AEP Foundation allows us to continue our mission of providing life-changing experiences through our equine assisted programs. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can experience the healing power of horses.”
Windridge has also established itself as a leader in research and education within the therapeutic horsemanship profession. In 2007, they built a research room equipped with an equine treadmill and motion capture system to scientifically demonstrate the benefits of the horse’s movement and therapeutic riding.
As Windridge continues to thrive, the AEP Foundation’s grant will play a crucial role in expanding their reach and impact within the community, fostering growth and resilience among its participants.
For more information about Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center, please visit windridgetexas.org/.
About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)
We deliver safe, reliable and affordable power to more than half a million homes and businesses in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Our 1,400 employees power today’s necessities and inspire tomorrow’s possibilities. You’ll see us improving communities, promoting sustainability and building grid resiliency throughout our territory, spanning more than 25,000 distribution line miles. Our work in energy efficiency has been repeatedly recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, which honored us as an ENERGY STAR® 2023 Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence. We recognize that innovative approaches to workforce development are necessary to effectively recruit qualified, diverse talent in today’s competitive labor market and this includes a commitment to building a diverse and skilled workforce through partnerships to grow the talent pipeline. We’re proud to be named Texas Workforce Commission’s 2023 Employer of Excellence and to receive the 2023 Curt Eysink Excellence in Workplace Development award from the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Because we produce and deliver one of the most powerful forces on earth, we keep the safety and well-being of our customers and employees at the forefront, always. We are proud of the Million Work Hours Safety Award from the Arkansas Department of Labor Licensing and Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission on behalf of our Flint Creek Power Plant for working 4 million hours without a lost-time accident. We believe we can deliver reliable electricity while protecting the environment. Our work to support habitat conservation was recently recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation (WHC) who awarded us a Silver Certification for supporting sustainable ecosystems at our Eagle Watch Nature Trail. SWEPCO is an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, LA. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us by following Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.
About the AEP Foundation
The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) and its operating subsidiaries. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside AEP’s 11-state service area. As an independent, non-profit philanthropic organization, the Foundation is funded solely by AEP through shareholder dollars.
The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math and by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, promote healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and civic vitality.
