A therapeutic horse-riding program owned by social worker Dana Spett, MSW, has won the New Jersey Hero Award, NorthJersey.com reported.

Spett started Pony Power Therapies in Mahwah with four riders and one horse. The business now has 22 donated or rescued ponies and serves 150 clients a week.

The program helps a variety of clients, including children with autism, elderly people with Alzheimer’s, and troubled teenagers.

Jessica Meincke’s daughter Breckenridge is diagnosed with autism.

On her first ride in December her daughter would not even put on a riding helmet. Now Breckenridge looks forward to the excursions and will bring a helmet to her mother to show she is ready to go.

“She loves it. I give a lot of credit to Dana,” Jessica Meincke said. “She’s so brave to do this and to help so many people.”

New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie presented Spett with the award and a $7,500 check.