Mount Vernon Town Money Saver | June FOM 2022

Hobby Horse Hill Changes Lives Through the Power of Equine Therapy

Overthe past several years, I have embarked on an unexpected journey. Though raised on a farm in west central Ohio, I never really embraced the passion that other people seem to have for horses. This all changed as I became friends with Lynn Bonar at the Hobby Horse Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center (HHHTEC) at 7559 Yankee Street, Fredericktown, OH, and agreed to assist her with chores for a time.

It was on my way to work, and it was great exercise to start each day. As I fed the horses, something changed for me and how I viewed these animals. I began to see their different personalities, and get an understanding of how these horses are so much more than pets, or even show animals. I began to see the benefits of how interacting with horses is a uniquely fulfilling experience, different from any other, and Lynn began to share with me how horses can help humans through confidence building, stress relief, and a variety of other challenges we may face in our busy daily human journeys. My wife Amy and I now serve on the Board of Directors for the HHHTEC and have seen the difference these horses have made in people’s lives. The path of our Board has taken us on a journey to truly see how Lynn and her team (some human, some not) go about “helping horses help humans,” as they deal with all sorts of emotional and physical challenges.

The horses here have interacted with first responders, abuse survivors and troubled youth, who are facing things that they never expected to encounter, just by showing them a special understanding. Lynn handpicks the creatures, based on their personalities, to help each person who approaches HHHTEC for assistance. The HHHTEC also accepts donated animals or rescue horses. As you can imagine, running a farm, and maintaining stalls of critters (goats, dogs, horses, cats) is a costly endeavor, and we are regularly seeking folks who see our mission as an important

Helping Horses Help Humans

one. We welcome a visit to see exactly how we have made a difference in so many people’s lives and situations.

The HHHTEC devotes a great deal of resources in helping others, and their non-profit status often makes them a great vehicle for those looking for a cause to support! Maybe you will be impacted as I was, and want to begin a journey to understand how horses can truly change people’s lives---by engaging Hobby Horse Hill as a volunteer or donor.

Hobby Horse Hill is dedicated to helping clients improve their quality of life through therapeutic equine activities. Their therapeutic strategies empower clients to make physical, psychological, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive improvements that will promote healthy interactions and a positive lifestyle. Some excellent local partners who have benefited from HHHTEC’s programs include The Village Network, Abraxas, and Riverside Recovery Services.

HHHTEC works with counselors; troubled youth; veterans; those struggling with addiction; those who have experienced abuse, violence, and/or trauma; and others to teach basic skills while building bonds between human and animal. They can even travel to bring their services on-site to other locations.

Step 1: Learn how to interact with the horses and other animals safely.

www.hobbyhorsehill.org

740-694-5150

7559 Yankee Street Fredericktown, OH

Step 2: They are taught basic communication, grooming and handling skills, and riding practices which build a bond between client and animal.

Step 3: The counselors then use this bond to build a bridge toward helping the participant gain control of their challenging issues.

FIVElocationstoserveyour family'sCounseling,Dental, andMedicalneeds inDanville&MountVernon

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