What does Hopeful Acres do?

Hopeful Acres is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing healing, hope, and support through the proven therapeutic benefits of Equine-Assisted Services. Our mission is to empower individuals experiencing physical and mental trauma by offering a safe, country-like setting where they can interact with and care for horses and other farm animals. We are passionate about serving the needs of our community, with a special focus on providing these life-changing services to special needs children and adults, veterans and their families, and at-risk youth. Through our programs, we aim to build self-confidence, encourage personal growth, and provide a path toward overcoming life's challenges.
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We offer a variety of programs, including multi-week sessions that teach horsemanship skills such as feeding, grooming, and riding, as well as ranch field trips for those who want to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of being outdoors with animals. Our services are tailored to meet the individual needs of our clients, and our dedicated team is committed to meeting each person where they are in their journey. As a non-profit, we rely on the generosity of volunteers and donations to continue offering these vital services, ensuring that we can provide a beacon of hope for those who need it most.

"...his program has been one of the most influential programs for our veteran population to date."

--Troy Merritt, Peer Support Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Army Retired

Our Programs and Services

Our organization strives to get people into the great outdoors whether it is to pet a farm animal, ride a horse, or simply enjoy the great outdoors. All of these activities can be therapeutic in nature, so we hope to see you out here!

Equine-Assisted Services

Our 6-week program is designed to build confidence and skills, tailored to each client's needs. The program includes:

• Animal Care: Learn how to feed and care for horses and other ranch animals.
• Horsemanship: Master the proper way to tack and saddle a horse.
• Riding Skills: Develop basic riding skills and gain confidence in various controlled settings.
• Round Pen Exercises: Learn key communication techniques through exercises like lunging and de-sensitizing.

To learn more about our tailored sessions and pricing, please contact us.

Ranch Field Trips

Come experience the tranquility of our 20-acre ranch, where you can connect with nature and our gentle animals. Our field trip experience includes a variety of activities for all ages:

• Horse & Petting Zoo Time: Get hands-on by petting and brushing our horses, then visit our petting zoo to feed and hang out with our friendly goats, and miniature horses.
• Demonstrations: Watch our staff showcase their expertise during a live horse training in our arena.
• Hand-led Horse Rides: Make your visit extra special with optional hand-led horse rides.
• Nature & Exploration: Explore our beautiful barn and enjoy our pond

To learn more about scheduling a visit and pricing, please contact us.

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