Partnerships

Our signature partnership program, Hope Held by a Horse, represents the very heart of our healing mission. This collaborative initiative brings together equine professionals, certified coaches, and community organizations to provide equine-assisted therapeutic experiences for underserved populations.

Diane Chaffee founded Hope Held by a Horse in May 2014 after experiencing the healing benefits of spending time with her horse, Skye, during cancer treatment. Motivated to share this support, she partnered with an Equine-Facilitated Therapist to develop a program that allows women to benefit from equine experiences, connect with other survivors, and restore a sense of wholeness. Hope Held by a Horse received IRS 501(c)(3) status in April 2015.

Hope Held by a Horse provides emotional support to cancer survivors, at any stage of diagnosis, through equine-assisted therapy, as stated in its Mission Statement.

Hope Held by a Horse gives individuals the opportunity to reclaim a part of themselves that has been lost or diminished through the challenges of cancer. Their goal is to provide a place in which they can address fears and express emotional pain. The spiritual connection with horses helps participants feel supported, centered, empowered, and able to continue on and thrive. With the help of horses and coaches, participants can feel safe to grieve their diagnosis and begin or continue their healing process.

Our dedication to presenting equine-assisted therapies to our community is furthered by our partnership with Julie Meyers and her healing program, Serenity Horse.

Seeking to support women in their journey out of suffering and to freedom and joy, Julie primarily works with women who have experienced sexual trauma in their childhoods or teenage years. When a woman experiences sexual trauma as a child, it often sets her on a course for unhealthy relationships for life. Her program strives to help participants break from the negative patterns borne of that trauma and prevent them from damaging their relationships with their children and life partners. Aside from individual work, Julie also works with couples and families who need healing or desire a deeper understanding of themselves and each other.

Julie is a triple graduate of Touched by a Horse and a master Equine Gestaltist, and has over 25 years of experience as a teacher working with children. On her healing journey, trauma stored in her body’s cells for over 40 years was released, replaced by an indescribable sense of emotional freedom. Awareness of her life purpose took its place: to empower women to find and become their dreams, so that joy becomes the norm. Julie guides her clients to uncover negative patterns, discover who they truly are, and transform their limiting beliefs so that they may love and value themselves. Her program allows parents to heal their childhood wounds and become truly emotionally healthy and fully available to their own children.