Zaniez adds equine and aquatic therapies to autism farm trade school

By AI, Created 5:15 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Zaniez, a Wittmann, Arizona nonprofit, is building an autism-focused farm trade school that pairs vocational training with equine-assisted and aquatic therapies. The group is raising $500,000 to buy property, equip the site and launch programs for students ages 3 and up.

Why it matters: - Zaniez is trying to combine therapy, education and daily life in one setting for people on the autism spectrum. - The model centers on natural, sensory-based activities that are meant to support independence, confidence and family participation. - The nonprofit is seeking $500,000 to fund property acquisition, equipment and program launch.

What happened: - Zaniez announced plans for an Autism Spectrum Farm Trade School in Wittmann, Arizona. - The program will build around equine-assisted therapy called “Zippotherapy” and aquatic therapy. - Open enrollment began Dec. 1, 2025. - Zaniez expects a soft launch in summer or fall 2026, with full operations to follow shortly after. - Families, donors and partners are being directed to more information and to donate.

The details: - Zippotherapy is Zaniez’s signature version of hippotherapy and will be encouraged daily. - The horse-based program is designed to provide rhythmic movement and sensory input through horseback riding and horsemanship. - Zaniez says research shows 10 weeks of therapeutic horseback riding can improve social communication, word fluency, irritability and hyperactivity, with some gains lasting six months. - Zaniez says additional benefits can include better balance, posture, motor planning, emotional regulation, empathy and nonverbal connection. - Zippotherapy will be a cornerstone of the adult work-study program and is intended to support vocational readiness, confidence and independence. - Zippotherapy is also meant to support entrepreneurship for older students when appropriate. - Aquatic therapy, also known as hydrotherapy, will be another cornerstone. - Zaniez says water-based programs can improve motor skills, balance, social interaction, self-regulation, attention and executive function while reducing repetitive behaviors and anxiety. - The site will include a heated pool for year-round use. - Zaniez plans daily swimming and water-based events for students and spectrum families. - The broader curriculum will also include gardening, woodworking, animal husbandry, cooking, science, art and music. - Zaniez is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving individuals ages 3 and up.

Between the lines: - The project blends therapeutic services with a trade-school model, which could appeal to families looking for more than conventional classroom support. - The emphasis on family participation suggests Zaniez is positioning the school as a community space as much as an education program. - Founder Dana Leigh Shafman said she has swum daily with her son on the autism spectrum for years and sees the activity as a source of shared happiness and added benefits.

What’s next: - Zaniez still needs to raise the remaining funds to secure property and build out the school. - The nonprofit plans to move from enrollment into its soft launch this summer or fall, then expand into full operations. - Zaniez says it will continue enrolling families and seeking donors and partners as the project advances.

The bottom line: - Zaniez is betting that a farm-based school with built-in equine and aquatic therapy can create a more holistic support model for autism spectrum families.