HOPE ON HORSEBACK

Hope on Horseback (HOHB) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide therapuetic services using horses to improve the physical and cognitive performance of individuals with special needs. HOHB offers programs for riders of all ages. Riding builds muscle strength and coordination as well as promoting self-esteem, confidence, independence, focus and cognitive development. Hope on Horseback programs and classes are carefully designed to be safe and effective by our nationally certified instructors. We serve individuals with physical and cognitive challenges, ASD, ADHD and PTSD. In collaboration with other organizations we provide equine assisted learning to cancer survivors and their caregivers, victims of abuse and trauma, veterans and first responders. College class for pre-med students study with our instructors and horses as well. Programs for stress and anxiety reduction, group leadership and team building are also available. Equine Assisted Learning classes for civic and social groups interested in the use of horses to encourage personal growth and development. This fall we will begin a pilot program with Union City and Corry School Districts to bring middle school students to the farm for a two-hour session created to strengthen self-confidence and reduce stress. The program is based on what we can learn from the herd. We hope to give the students some new tools to choose friends and activities based on the concept of herd mentality...the good kind!