A number of years ago, my friend Kimberly Meadows Merida introduced me to an unusual place of healing. Hope Reins is a faith-based equine mentorship program in Raleigh, N.C. Recently, some friends of mine and I paid a visit to the ranch. They were blown away by it, as I was so many years ago.
Hope Reins began as the vision of Kim Tschirret, who knew, based on her own experience, the healing power of horses. Using mostly rescued horses, Hope Reins offers traumatized kids the chance to learn trust, communication, boundaries, and leadership, skills needed to help them form a foundation of resilience .
Developing those skills leads kids into four powerful truths built on the promises of God: I am safe. I am not alone. I matter. I have a purpose.
According to Hope Reins, “When a child begins to live out these beliefs and demonstrate these skills, we know healing is taking place. This is our secret sauce–connecting through relationship, hope through Jesus, and healing through resilience.”
For example, Sarah, a 10 year old living in a loving foster home, picked up on the nervous glances of Pax, a horse rescued from a kill pen. She identified with the horse, and asked if she could spend time with him to make him feel more comfortable.
Through just quietly being with Pax (much of the Hope Reins program involves simple ground work), both of them developed a bond and began to trust. Sarah gained the confidence to open up and she learned she was loved. Together, both Sarah and Pax began to heal.
Hundreds of kids have found healing through the organization in its 15-year history. Recently, the University of Kentucky studied the program to provide an objective analysis of its effectiveness. The university’s evaluation? “Don’t change a thing. Everything you are doing is delivering superior results.”
If you read my books, you know that I am incorporating some of these Hope Reins techniques into my stories. Amanda Cooper volunteers at “Hope Ranch” where she is finding healing working with a red chestnut mare named “Scarlett.”
Why am I writing this storyline in a K-9 search and rescue book? Because I am entranced by the power of these animals to bring healing after trauma. Surely, God has given us these gifts to help us through this broken world.
Hope Reins is a 501(c)(3) charity. You can visit their website to learn more about the organization or to donate. FYI, part of the proceeds from my books goes to support Hope Reins, as well as the Chincoteague ponies, DOGS-East K-9 Search and Rescue, and other similar organizations.
Now, here are some pictures from our trip!
A corral and two of the Hope Reins horses. Someone began braiding the mane of the pony in the back. A Hope Reins donor family provided the arena, so sessions can take place rain or shine.
My friend Terry Trott meets one of the Hope Reins horses, being held by a volunteer. Hope Reins is a faith-based organization run by volunteers.