Agape Acres

Agape Acres is a non profit 501(c)3 Therapeutic Riding Center. Guided by our faith-based mission to exemplify the boundless and unconditional love of Christ (Agape love), we extend our hearts and hands to individuals with special needs and veterans in offering transformative experiences with horses through our equine-assisted activities and programs. We strive to empower students to break through physical, psychological and emotional barriers utilizing equine therapy/therapeutic riding. Janie Nelson and her husband, Brian, are owners of JB Bar Ranch in Marana, AZ. JB Bar Ranch is their personal ranch where they hope to build and run a small boarding facility someday soon. Their passion however is Agape Acres, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that they cofounded in 2014 to provide EAAT to children with special needs. Janie and Brian adopted two teen boys out of foster care and through that experience they felt a call by God to bless others with their horses and rural life, so they dedicated 5 acres for Agape Acres use. While creating Agape Acres they researched EAAT organizations and programs and found PATH International. Agape Acres is a PATH Int’l Member Center and Janie is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor with PATH Int’l and teaches therapeutic riding at Agape Acres. Janie is a CESMT – Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapists through Therassage EMA and a Certified Practitioner for MagnaWave PEMF Therapy. Janie Nelson has worked in the Investment Services industry for the past 30+ years, but horses are and have always been her passion. Janie was introduced to horses as a preteen through 4H. She rode both English and Western, jumping and barrel racing as a teen. As an adult, Janie’s heart always yearned to be back on a horse and that dream came true when she met her husband to be in Tucson AZ after relocating there from CA in 2006. Janie has a servant’s heart and believes that it is her purpose to serve others.