Press Release 31st July 2023

More "horsepower" for sick children: BILLA secures therapy horse for association in Gramatneusiedl

The happiness of the earth lies on the back of horses. For seriously ill children and adolescents, contact with horses has a very special effect: "Horse-assisted therapy enables children to process experiences, recharge their batteries and find their way back into life. Horses manage to do what people often fail to do. They accept you as you are and don't differentiate between healthy and sick," explains Andrea Keglovits-Ackerer, the initiator and director of the "Strengthening Horses" therapy center in Gramatneusiedl.

Three people standing in a sandy horse arena. A brown and white horse with a bridle is beside them. The person on the right is holding the horse's lead. A wooden fence, greenery, and a building are in the background under a cloudy sky.

Kurt Döring (BILLA Sales Manager), Stefan Weinlich (BILLA Sales Director) and Andrea Keglovits-Ackerer ("Strengthening Horses") welcome "Jolly Jumper". / Copyright: BILLA AG, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

Download

At a glance

BILLA finances a therapy horse for the association "Pferde stärken" with a fundraising campaign
"Jolly Jumper" was recently handed over by BILLA employees in Gramatneusiedl.

BILLA shows social responsibility

The demand for horse therapy places is high and the waiting list long. So it was a pleasant coincidence that last fall two BILLA employees became aware of the work of the "Strengthening Horses" therapy center. "The need is huge and the horses are completely used to capacity. But there wasn't enough money to buy more therapy horses," says BILLA sales manager Kurt Döring. For this reason, the BILLA team decided to collect donations to finance another therapy horse. BILLA Sales Director Stefan Weinlich fully supported the project, because BILLA has always stood for social responsibility, community togetherness and inclusive diversity. During the Christmas season, the committed BILLA employees organized punch stands in Ebreichsdorf and Wiener Neustadt. The activities were a complete success and raised more than 9,000 euros - which secured the financing of another therapy horse.

Handover of "Jolly Jumper"

The demands on a therapy horse are high. A particularly calm mind is a prerequisite and the training is costly. So in the last few months, an intensive search was made for the right horse. The choice fell on the 4-year-old gelding "Jolly Jumper", who has already moved into the therapy center.Andrea Keglovits-Ackerernahme "Jolly Jumper" from the BILLA team. "On behalf of the families of the children and adolescents who take advantage of the horse therapy with us, I would like to thank the entire BILLA team for their great commitment. Without their contribution, the purchase of the new horse would not have been possible." "Jolly Jumper" has settled in well at his new home in Gramatneusiedl, is already completing his first therapy sessions and is making sick children and their families smile.