Horses Seemed to Understand

My 14-year-old has struggled with anxiety and depression for the last 2 years and was bullied at school every single day. Academic work stopped. Socializing stopped. Happiness stopped. Crying in his room never stopped. He was already on prescription medicine for anxiety but nothing was helping enough. I felt like I had failed him. I knew we needed a miracle. Then we found your equine-assisted therapy program.

​We are city people and have only been around horses once or twice. The fear of being stepped on by an animal much bigger and stronger is undeniable. But the horses seemed to understand whatever feelings my child was struggling with. During the first few weeks of equine therapy, my kid didn't have much to say about things. After he completed week 4, he came home and opened up like I hadn't seen in many months. He excitedly told me about the obstacle course and how he had to gain the trust of the horse to lead her through the maze of bricks, road cones, and pool noodles. He felt like a leader because he became a leader.

With each session, he learned how to heal a little bit more. I'm so thankful to Hope Reins Healing and the grant funding that made it possible for my child to find his own happiness again. Had we not found healing for this child, I'm not sure he would've lived to adulthood. You and the horses saved his life. I will never be able to thank you enough for providing such a calming, healing environment for those who need it most.

~Keith's Mom