Other Ministries

Encompass Christian Counseling, Foster Care and Adoption operates through Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO) and provides Christ-centered outpatient counseling, home based counseling, foster care and adoption services. With centers in Wooster, Ashland, Massillon and Walton Hills, Encompass offers comprehensive services that are designed to wrap families in a blanket of hope and support. When direction is needed, as it sometimes is in the journey of life, Encompass professionals can be counted on to provide guidance. Gently moving the needle toward the right destination, families can find solace in a new kind of compass.

Encompass Counseling

A professional counseling program committed to offering Christ-centered counseling services. We have offices in 11 locations and provide marriage counseling, family and child counseling, and counseling for grief, depression, addictions and disorders. Certified Trauma Therapists are available, as well as those who specialize in Play Therapy, Family Therapy and other areas. LEARN MORE

Encompass Home-Based Services

Our aim as a professional, compassionate provider is to keep families intact by providing abuse and neglect prevention and family stabilization services to struggling families. Parenting classes are offered, as well as case management, counseling and wraparound supports. Specialized services, such as Family Treatment Aid, are available on a case-by-case basis. LEARN MORE

Encompass Foster Care

Every child deserves a loving, stable home, which assures them a positive future. With offices in Wooster and Greater Cleveland, our staff offers training, licensing, child/family matching, respite care and support for children and families. We have a long, rich history of matching deserving children with caring families all across Ohio and walking with them every step during the process. LEARN MORE

Encompass Adoption Services

Adoption is a wonderful option for building or expanding your family, and making a difference in the life of a child or youth seeking a forever family. We provide care and education to meet the emotional, spiritual, developmental and physical needs of children and their families from a Christian perspective. We provide home studies for international adoptions, and facilitate interstate adoptions as well. LEARN MORE

Poplar Ridge Stables is a ministry of Christian Children’s Home of Ohio. Our modern, state-of-the-art facility is utilized by children and youth served in the Children’s Residential Center, and open to the general public for therapeutic riding. Poplar Ridge Stables’ mission is to improve quality of life through compassionate equine-assisted therapy.

For riders like Jenny, who was permanently injured in a car accident as a teenager, improving quality of life means that when she is on the back of a horse, she is exhilarated and happy. And as she smiles and rides, her core muscles strengthen and her balance improves. After two years of regular therapeutic riding, when she’s on a horse, she appears for all the world as a young woman who can walk.

Benefits of Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic riding is a dynamic way to improve balance, joint mobility, coordination, muscle tone and posture. Our lessons are carefully structured to fit each rider, and we make every effort to meet their personal goals. With each lesson, we strive for our riders to gain self confidence, improve their mental and physical capabilities, and engage in social relationships with other riders, staff and volunteers.

Bailey’s Story: Taking Life by the Reins

Bailey started riding shortly after her second birthday. At that time, she required a lot of support due to her low muscle tone. Bailey does not have a diagnosis; she does not walk and is nonverbal. Almost two years later, Bailey rides with limited assistance. She is able to support herself during her lesson. Bailey can hold the reins, reach for objects and focus on different items throughout the arena. Often after a lesson she will try to vocalize more. We have enjoyed watching Bailey get stronger over the last two years. Most importantly, we have loved watching Bailey’s confidence build. Bailey enjoys riding so much and you can tell by the smile on her face. We are so thankful for Poplar Ridge Stables and their incredible staff and volunteers! — The Fatzinger Family

Certified Staff and Therapy

Poplar Ridge Stables therapists are certified instructors in equine-specialized therapy. Our staff benefits by its training from and affiliation with Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH International), the industry leader in therapeutic riding.

For More Information on Poplar Ridge Stables
Please learn more about equine-assisted therapy available at Poplar Ridge Stables by contacting Carla Plegge, Director, at 330.345.7949, ext. 2369, or carla.plegge@gmail.com.