Hope-thru-Horses, Inc.
Heather always knew she would share her love and passion for animals with others. She just did not know it would be with horses until experiencing the bond between she and her 1200 pound babies. It was learning to give respect and trust in order to develop the relationship through communication, acceptance, empathy, assertiveness, and most of all, patience, that she discovered how empowering the equine experience could be.
Liberty is a Spotted Saddle horse with a wonderful sense of independence.
"I am a natural born leader. I've been called Rudeness, Ill Fella, Sexy Legs, Pretty Princess, Harry, and many others."
Patches is a black, brown, and white paint horse with two blue eyes.
"I am extremely mellow with a little bit of spunk. I especially enjoy working with smaller children. I've been called Alex, Larry, Angel, etc."
"I mesmerize our visitors with my one blue and one brown eye. I am very curious, playful, and friendly. My nick name is 'Dozer' as I prefer to make my own trails."
Big things always come in the smallest packages.
Susie Gaylord is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) holding a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and specializes in Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
"I feel that equine-assisted psychotherapy can help in ways that traditonal talk therapy cannot. I have seen a Donkey reach through to a boy who had shut down emotionally in a way no amount of talking could ever do. I have seen emotionally scarred women and teens find healing in grooming and bonding with an ordinary Quarter Horse. I have witnessed a horse nudge a teenager (literally and figuratively) out of a fog of self-absorbtion. I have seen a herd of horses reflect the anger and angst of clients, reflect their emotional immobility, and listen to their pain and confessions without judgement. Horses are powerful tools in the therapeutic process"
