OUR STORY
Honoring the life of Bennie Mullins
There once was a woman who never met a stranger. There once was a woman who never turned her back on someone in need. There once was a woman who loved so boldly that everyone was a friend. She is gone too soon and in honor of the late Bennie Mullins, many Enid community advocates realized there was a need that was no longer being served in her absence. So we set our sights out to do so and created Bennie’s Barn.
"I stand for honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you
want to be treated and helping those in need.
To me those are traditional values"
- Bennie Mullins
WHY EQUINE THERAPY?
Therapeutic horseback riding allows students with physical, cognitive, emotional, and/or developmental disabilities to develop physical strength, balance, control, self-esteem, and self-confidence. By encouraging appropriate interaction with the horses, fellow riders, volunteers, and instructors, students develop the skills required to build meaningful relationships. Caring for horses encourages an understanding and practice of good habits that are transferred to everyday life. Responsibility is developed by participating in the care and feeding of the horses.
Finally, students must adapt to and exert control over the horse, and as a result, they gain improved focus concentration, judgment, and reasoning. Each rider has a teaching team during each lesson. A certified therapeutic riding instructor works along with specially trained and dedicated volunteers to develop and implement a riding curriculum for each student. Lessons are adapted to specially meet each student’s needs and goals.
HORSE RESCUE & REHABILITATION
Another purpose of Bennie’s Barn is to rescue and rehabilitate abused, neglected, and displaced horses. Then, to use those horses and the process of rehabilitation to minister to the emotional and spiritual needs of mentally and physically disabled children and veterans. Together with that, Bennie’s Barn also provides a place for children to learn and care for horses. This process helps both the animal and the person, which is why the legacy of Bennie Mullins will continue to bless our community so richly.
Our commitment is to those individuals, and their families who may not get the chance to enjoy the prestigious accolades on the basketball court, football, baseball or softball field, on the stage, or on any other community arena. Bennie's Barn provides that chance.