Why is our Equine Assisted Therapy Center called Edelweiss?

Note from founder Elisa Bell

Many people have wondered where the name Edelweiss came from. Our center is located on land belonging to my parents, Dr. Dick and Joanie Bowen. Upon relocating from Massachusetts, the beautiful rolling hills of Greenfield, Indiana reminded Joanie of the setting for that wonderful movie, The Sound of Music. The new home with shake shingles, an A frame construction, and rock and wood exterior looked like a Swiss Chalet. Joanie was delighted. She commented, “We live in Edelweiss,” meaning a place of harmony, happiness and family strength. From that moment on the property was known as Edelweiss. Out of respect for her and to keep our family tradition alive, I named the barn and pasture Edelweiss Acres and called our organization Edelweiss Equine Assisted Therapy Center.

There’s another reason we think Edelweiss is a name that fits what we do here. Edelweiss is the alpine “Flower of Love” so called because one must go to nearly unreachable heights to pick this rare flower. These small, white flowers stand strong and overcome harsh elements on a regular basis. That describes our special-needs riders too. Social stigmas and additional challenges do not stop them. The Edelweiss horse lends his strength and freedom of movement to the rider helping the impossible become possible. Like the flower, our riders brave the climate and reach for the summit.