LICKING COUNTY, Ohio — Etna native Vicki Doeringer grew up in a military family and served in the Air Force as a medical service specialist and later in the medical industry. Her life path changed several years later after the birth of her daughter, Rebecca.
“She was diagnosed with Asperger’s, a form of autism, so through Franklin County Board of DD (Developmental Disabilities), they had therapeutic riding,” she said. “There was CAST funding that covered it, so she started riding. And I remember her therapist saying, ‘you don’t have to talk to me but you do have to talk to the horse.’ And the horse just changed her life. His name was Mozart,” said Doeringer.
After that funding was discontinued in 2005, the Doeringers decided to sell their home, bought a farm and started the nonprofit “In His Image New Life Christian Stables,” offering free therapy horse rides and education to children and adults.
“A little boy a few years ago was petty Faith, our blind horse and he hadn’t spoken the entire time he had been here, all these months. And all of a sudden, when he’s petting her, he goes ‘I know horsey. I know horsey. Eyes.’ And I looked at his mom and I go, ‘did you hear your son?’ I’m still emotional about it because it was such a cool thing to hear this child speak for the first time,” said Doeringer.
A newly added 20-by-40 indoor arena allows the Doeringer’s a larger space for community events.
Vicki said Rebecca continues to inspire her to this day, and her mission of nearly 17 years is far from over.
“And to see her win first place ribbons this year was beyond words also. I’m so proud of her, her hard work, her dedication, not letting anything stop her., and that’s what we want to encourage other families and children. Don’t let anything stop you. You can do this and we’ll do anything we can to help them,” said Doeringer.
For more information or to donate to In His Image New Life Christian Stables, click here.
