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Whenever we see an image of one of history's great leaders posed on the back of a mighty steed, we are reminded that horses have long been viewed as symbols of strength and power.
Today, thanks to the efforts of an innovative nonprofit organization in Palm Beach County, Florida, another characteristic has been added to these familiar attributes: HOPE.
Children, Hope & Horses reaches out to some of our most fragile young people-those who have suffered abuse, neglect, and even abandonment in their first years of life. As a result of these traumatic experiences, many of these children develop Attachment Disorders (ADs), which are manifested by the inability to form natural bonds or relationships within families, communities and society.
As these troubled children grow, they often become withdrawn, untrusting, detached, and frequently, aggressive or even violent. |
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Inhibited by an inability to bond, the children will not let people get close to them emotionally. Sadly, unless AD children are given opportunities to heal, they have little chance of developing into happy and productive adults.
By introducing boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 17 to sensitive, non judgmental, and trusting horses, this downward spiral can be interrupted. With the support of dedicated equine professionals, therapists, and volunteers, Children, Hope & Horses provides a foundation for healing to begin.
Remarkably, this program is provided free of charge to children and families who often have nowhere else to turn. We invite you to join this important effort by making a contribution to support Children, Hope & Horses - and giving a child the "Wings to Fly."
Investing in the Future
Children, Hope and Horses is totally supported by private donations and in-kind gifts. Since the organization was established in 2002, our unique program has successfully benefitted some 100 children and their families.
And yet, with over 8,000 new abuse and neglect reports in Palm Beach County every year, it is our concern that there are many children who may be unable to benefit from our program. Expansion is essential to accomplish our mission. Our five-year goal is to increase our capacity to 162 activity sessions per week from our current capacity of 30 sessions. This increase in activity will require five additional instuctors, two therapists, 20 horses and three grooms. |
Our Latest Fundraising Campaign - Sponsor a Horse
The cost of upkeeping our horses has become critical to the continuation of Children, Hope and Horses. Please take a look at our Support Us page to learn more about our horses and what is involved in caring for them.
We will be posting each horses donations amount in the form of a race. Let's see which horse wins the race but ultimately they all win. |
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| The Latest from CHH |
Hi, from Children, Hope and Horses
The story of Peggy Lee D and Aoife begins with Laura Newbery, our ExecDirector, who is known far & wide for her "way with horses".
I suspect that some of the farriers (blacksmiths, who travel far and wide) have a good bit to do with spreading the message.... They get to see a lot of horses and talk to a lot of horse people in their travels and they'll tell you that they've never found a horse... that is better cared for...than one of Laura's !
Horace Porter, a tough old farrier from Oklahoma who comes to Florida for the winter polo & harness racing seasons, isn't shy about telling
people that when he dies he wants to come back as one of Laura's horses because he doesn't want to take a chance that heaven may
not measure up ! |
Word spreads....so, that is probably why Laura got a call, just over a year ago from a total stranger, to look at a mare at the Pompano Race
Track. She soon found out why she had been called !
The person who owned the mare could not afford to keep her and had to find a home that could and would deal with a horse that had health
issues resulting from extended neglect!
This is what that poor mare, Peggy Lee D, looked like at the time...... read more |
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