HELPING HANDS HORSE RESCUE AND EQUINE THERAPY INC

Helping Hands Horse Rescue and Equine Therapy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We utilize the intuitive and healing abilities of horses to help people rise to their full potential.

We are always seeking donations or grants to help us fund our therapy programs to pay our therapists and to be able to provide Equine therapy to those in need, that cannot afford to pay or have no health insurance. We have found that most of the clients we have that really need our services are unable to pay. Please read below to read about what equine therapy is and the services we provide here at Helping Hands.

Helping Hands makes a difference in the lives of kids and adults who are experiencing mental health issues, such as trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders, addiction and recovery and much more, by offering a new and alternative form of psychotherapy, called EAP(Equine Assisted Psychotherapy). This is a form of experiential therapy utilizes the horses for growth, learning and healing. The sessions are facilitated by a licensed mental health professional, and equine specialist, and a team of very intuitive equine partners in a very private, safe and non threatening environment. The emphasis is on learning by doing, instead of just talking about their problems like in traditional therapy. Horses provide the opportunity to mirror life and make one's issues visible and tangible. Once they see their problem/behavior more objectively, the client can start making a positive change. We have a variety of programs, many of them pro bono, for those without insurance or money to pay. (free and a sliding scale) We have a very successful 8 week adolescent group for teens ages 13-17, and a 10 week women's trauma group, in addition to private sessions. We also have a breast cancer survivor wellness group, a group for survivors of domestic violence, a "mom's" group for post partum depression and pregnancy issues. We have just started a veterans program for disabled veterans, military women's trauma group, a PTSD veterans group, and veteran children and families group. We also offer couples therapy and retreats.

We continue to rescue horses if they are suitable for our equine therapy program. We also rescue many small animals coming from our local community and use them in our farm therapy program. Community members benefit from learning animal stewardship and from the therapeutic effects of being around the animals. Many of the therapy horses and animals have a history of neglect, abuse, and abandonment. We give them a home and also a meaningful job! We are now known as a Sanctuary for not just horses, but for people too! Our goal is to provide a loving and happy home to all the horses and animals in our care,

We have an internship program for young people to learn about animal stewardship, and we partner with local organizations to let our farm benefit young people who are interested in farming and animal stewardship.

Helping Hands opens its doors to anyone near or far who needs healing, a quiet place to think, or some therapeutic time with the horses. This is perhaps the most essential part of what we do--opening our doors so that we can be a healing sanctuary for people and animals in all walks of life.

Our equine-assisted psychotherapy program is EAGALA-certified (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association). EAGALA sessions are facilitated by a certified team of mental health professional and equine specialist who hold the space for clients and horses to interact. Life stories begin unfolding symbolically in a safe and supportive setting. We believe that clients of all ages and needs truly have their own best solutions. As the horses play out scenarios, clients gain insights and begin to see and feel shifts in themselves as well.