FHS graduate Petr praised for bringing horses, therapy together at STAR
A 1975 graduate of Farragut High School had a dream: combining her two passions of helping those who were physically and/or mentally disadvantaged with a love of horses.
Coming up with an idea that was scoffed at — said to be too dangerous, even by many around her at the University of Tennessee while in post-graduate studies there in 1987 — Lynn Petr thought combining horses, even riding horses, with those physically and mentally disabled — along with those, especially our military veterans, who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder — would be a rewarding experience for both the disabled and their families. She acted upon her instincts.
Thirty-eight years later at Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding, hundreds turned out during STAR’s annual Bridles & Blue Jeans fundraiser Saturday, April 12, to praise Petr, STAR founder/executive director emeritus, upon her retirement in 2025, in addition to their donations. (See extended feature on Petr in our April 23 issue)
