All equines who work within the realm of Equine Assisted Services (EAS) are exceptional animals. But often, the benefits of EAS become most clear when a participant forms a bond or connection with a specific animal, one who seems to understand that individual's unique needs, whether they be physical, mental, emotional, or a blend of all three. When an EAS program finds an animal who excels in all of these domains, perhaps they transcend exceptional, and instead should be considered truly extraordinary.

Duke of Oil, who since his arrival in 2022 has provided services to nearly 1,000 participants at Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs in Aiken, South Carolina, is one such equine. According to Deborah McWhirter, Manager of Equine and Barn Services, "Duke" is an "ideal" therapy horse.

"He checks all the boxes," McWhirter said. "He is the horse to bring out for a student who might be afraid of horses, and the one that new volunteers use when they are learning how to help in a therapeutic session. Most importantly, he is one of the few horses that is quiet and safe enough for students who need the aid of the mechanical lift. Duke is a solid citizen."

A somewhat regally bred American Quarter Horse, Duke's family tree includes cutting horses and halter champions, and plenty of performance blood. But he ended up as a pleasure mount, working in both English and western tack, and traversing miles of trails with his owner, who split her time between New Hampshire and South Carolina. While in Aiken for the winter, Duke and his owner enjoyed hacking, hunter pacing, and even tried fox hunting. But when Duke began to show signs of being uncomfortable navigating New Hampshire's rocky trails, his family began looking for a more suitable job for him, which led to his new home at Great Oak.

Although Duke immediately impressed the staff thanks to his calm demeanor, steady gait, and stocky, muscular build, he also displayed an independent streak which resulted in several misadventures. On his first day in the paddock, Duke rolled too close to the fence and got his hind leg stuck under one of the boards. The staff panicked, but he managed to free himself, escaping with only minor surface scrapes. Another time, while being tacked up, Duke slipped free from his handler's grasp and bolted out the barn door; fortunately, he was quickly distracted by the lush, green grass.

"For some horses, it takes a few months to adjust to their new role in our program," McWhirter explained. "For the most part, Duke adapted to his new role quickly."

About one year after his arrival, several veteran Great Oak horses retired, and staff decided to introduce Duke to their mechanical lift, which assists clients with mounting and dismounting. Not all horses tolerate the experience.

"To our surprise, he didn't flinch or move a muscle as our test rider was lifted over his back and gently lowered into the saddle," McWhirter said. "At that moment, we knew he was capable of anything we asked of him."

Because of his great attitude, Duke competes at Special Olympics in both Georgia and South Carolina, and also participates in the Aiken Horse Show in the Woods. This annual equestrian event, held in Hitchcock Woods, has become a long-running tradition in Aiken's equestrian community. In addition to offering many traditional classes, it also hosts a therapeutic riding class; Great Oak typically enters four horse and rider pairs.

"For our students, it's one of the few opportunities to showcase their skills in a traditional horse show setting," McWhirter said. "Duke has participated in this show for two consecutive years, and each year, he has carried a different student."

In 2024, Duke was chosen as the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) Horse of the Year.

"He's a very special horse," Eva Finnan, a certified PATH instructor and Great Oak's program director, said. "People don't understand what a horse like him can do. To me, a horse like Duke is right up there with an Olympic horse. He is worth his weight in gold."

But ultimately, Duke's greatest impact is felt one-on-one, thanks to his almost intuitive ability to assess exactly what each participant needs.

"Duke is the cornerstone or foundation of our program," McWhirter said. "His calm temperament, steady gait, and responsiveness are crucial to our riding program. He can tolerate various riders, adaptive equipment, and unpredictable situations, while maintaining a gentle and patient demeanor. He has become a partner in healing, helping riders develop independence, trust, and self-esteem."