Maryland Therapeutic Riding

1141 Sunrise Beach Rd | Crownsville, MD 21032
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Anastasia

Shining a Light on Access to Mental Health Care

This spring, MTR was honored to receive a generous gift from the Gumbel family and the Anastasia’s Light Foundation with proceeds from the Foundation’s Tread for Tomorrow fundraiser. At our recent Community Connection Luncheon, it was announced that these funds would be utilized to create the Anastasia’s Light Mental Health Scholarship. This scholarship will help individuals access MTR’s Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Nature-Based Therapy programs when financial barriers might otherwise prevent them from receiving care.

The scholarship reflects a shared belief between MTR and the Gumbel family: mental health support should not be limited to a single approach. While traditional therapies are effective for many, alternative and experiential therapies can offer meaningful opportunities for healing, growth, and connection for those seeking a different path.

At MTR, licensed mental health professionals partner with horses and the natural environment to create experiences that help individuals process challenges, build resilience, strengthen relationships, and develop tools for emotional well-being. These services provide a unique therapeutic option for children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating a wide range of life circumstances.

Anastasia’s mother spoke about her family’s commitment to increasing access to alternative mental health therapies. She shared the importance of ensuring that individuals who may not have found success through traditional therapeutic approaches have opportunities to explore other pathways to healing and hope.

We are deeply grateful to the Gumbel family and the Anastasia’s Light Foundation for their vision, generosity, and commitment to shining a light on mental health. Their gift established this scholarship, and with continued support from our community, it will help more individuals access life-changing mental health services for years to come.

Anastasia’s legacy will continue to inspire hope, connection, and healing—one person, one family, and one journey at a time.

To support the Anastasia’s Light Mental Health Scholarship, please visit the Donate page on our website and use the drop-down menu to designate your gift to this fund.

Support the Anastasia's Light Mental Health Scholarship

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MTR Voted Best Nonprofit in Annapolis!

We are thrilled to share that MTR has been voted Best Nonprofit in Annapolis for 2026 by the readers of What’s Up? magazine!

This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes from the community we have had the privilege to serve for the past 30 years. Since 1996, MTR has grown from a small therapeutic riding program into a thriving organization providing equine-assisted services that impact hundreds of individuals and families each year. While much has changed over three decades, our mission has remained the same: creating opportunities for healing, growth, and connection through the power of horses.

This award belongs to everyone who makes our work possible—our participants, volunteers, donors, staff, board members, community partners, and, of course, our incredible herd. Each lesson taught, session experienced, horse interaction, fence repaired, donation made, and life touched has helped build the MTR community that readers chose to recognize.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary year, we are both humbled and energized by this honor. It reminds us of the tremendous support that surrounds MTR and inspires us to continue expanding our impact for years to come.

Thank you for believing in our mission, sharing our story, and standing beside us throughout this journey. We are proud to be part of such a caring and generous community, and we are grateful to everyone who voted for us.

Here’s to 30 years of horses, healing, and hope—and to many more ahead!