For the first time in our modern history, the world has been halted by one shared experience. Globally this pandemic has not only impacted but has collectively reshaped the human experience. As we adopt this “new normal” and press forward through such tremendous uncertainty, we find ourselves yearning for connection, health, wellness, and happiness. As we become hyper-focused on our physical health, we are realizing universally that mental health and wellness is very much an important part of the conversation as well.
Hope Meadows Foundation offers a unique solution to this common problem. At Hope Meadows, we believe in resiliency—the ability to successfully navigate high levels of challenge and bounce back after stressful or traumatic events, converting your challenges into opportunities to change.
Hope Meadows offers equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development for individuals and groups. Our unique, holistic approach to treatment combines horses, life skills, and the natural environment to aid in the healing process. Each specialized treatment team is comprised of a Mental Health Specialist, Equine Specialist and one or more horses to provide either individual or group counseling sessions for conditions such as depression and anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, or trauma-related experiences such as victims of human trafficking, at-risk youth, and first responders. In addition to counseling, we also provide programs for life skills, personal development, and youth and family.
Why Horses? Horses are natural healers. As prey animals, they are gifted with the ability to read energy and body cues to know if humans are safe to be around. Our treatment professionals use the horses’ response to help facilitate conversation and begin the healing process. As an organization, we have collectively turned our “mess” into our “message.” With both passion and purpose, we strive for only one thing: to help people. We believe horses are just the gift to make that happen. We have witnessed time and time again the healing power of horses. Through this unique approach of combining a professional treatment team and horses, we believe we can truly affect change. Not only is it fun and different, but it gets people out of the traditional therapy office setting and into nature, allowing physical, mental, and emotional release to occur naturally.
EAP provides “in the moment” processing of real-life events and allows for spontaneous self-exploration and healing. This type of ACTIVE counseling allows transformation to occur faster and can be felt immediately in the body and mind. Our goal with each session is to create a safe space where the wounds of the past can be explored, understood, and ultimately healed. We also offer additional programming to get people out in nature and connecting with the horses in a different way. Some examples of programs include nature yoga hikes, kids yoga, yoga and horses, herd meditations, and Mindful Strides, which pairs music, mindful rhythmic movement, and engagement with our herd to help all ages ground mind, body, and spirit.
Hope Meadows currently runs programs out of Misty Acres of Bath. The property at Misty Acres consists of 12 acres of land with two beautiful pastures for grazing and a 3⁄4 mile walking path around the perimeter of the equestrian property. In addition, it connects to the 404-acre Bath Nature Preserve accessing the nature and equestrian trails. We have also begun programming at a second location, The Hideout Barn & Arena in Columbia Station.
Hope Meadows will hold a Virtual Fundraiser on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, from 8-9 pm to kick off the Derby weekend festivities.
We are asking everyone to unite for a powerful evening to celebrate RESILIENCE and are thrilled to present our Guest of Honor, best-selling author, activist and co-screenplay writer of “First They Killed My Father,” Loung Ung, who will speak on her personal story of resilience and overcoming trauma. Although we cannot gather in person this year, we can still come together for this powerful Virtual event to raise funds for the many programs we offer at Hope Meadows. To purchase tickets, please visit www.hopemeadowsoh.org/derbyparty. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call: 216.232.3656.
