In keeping with the company’s philosophy of making a meaningful impact in the communities they serve, Virginia Natural Gas has given $5,000 to support EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program, which exclusively serves the special-needs community of Southeastern Virginia and the surrounding area.

“Making a difference in the community is at the heart of everything we do at Virginia Natural Gas,” said George Faatz, director of government and community affairs. “Our company is dedicated to meeting the needs of the community, and we are proud to support EQUI-KIDS’ programs that benefit individuals with special needs.”

EQUI-KIDS provides therapeutic riding and other equine-assisted activities to individuals who have mental, physical, emotional, social or learning disabling conditions.  Over the course of its 26 year history, the program has grown to now serve an average of 90 riders per week; impacting hundreds of participants, family members and program volunteers each year.

It is important to EQUI-KIDS’ mission to keep the program affordable for families; therefore, lesson fees account for less than 10 percent of the actual cost to provide the service.  Because EQUI-KIDS has an annual operating budget of $750,000 and receives no federal or state funding,  the program relies on the generosity of its donors and community supporters like Virginia Natural Gas to make up the difference in funding.

“We simply could not impact the number of individuals we do without the support of companies like Virginia Natural Gas,” says Jill Haag, EQUI-KIDS’ executive director.  “We are so thankful for their commitment to putting energy back into the communities they serve, and that they have chosen to support EQUI-KIDS.”

Photo: George Faatz of Virginia Natural Gas presents check to therapy horse Hopper and Lea Roan of EQUI-KIDS.