FAQ's

• Who can benefit from this?

Pretty much everyone. . . Really!  "Trauma Release I and II" were our primary certifications, along with "Entering His Rest."  Any unprocessed emotion is considered trauma.  As such, trauma is a very individual thing.  Stuck in a "mental loop?"  Well, that is actually "trauma."  We help "unstick" you!  Maybe you just need a day to experience more peace and get to know yourself better?  This is a very non-threatening, relaxing way to do just that.  The activities we do are also a great way to get your team or organization to see where they can improve their "team thinking" and make a great team-building experience. We can confidently say this is for anyone who wants to experience the transformative powers of nature and horses in a faith-based environment.

• Who is “Healing, Hope and Horses?”

Healing, Hope and Horses is founded by a certified, faith-based equine assisted philosophy (FBEAP) facilitator and hospice RN and is located in Brodhead Wisconsin.  Certified in 2021 by the founder and originator of the first, faith-based EAL/EAP company, Elaine Davis of Unbridled Faith.  (Elaine was personally mentored by Greg Kersten, founder of EAGALA and the OK Corral Series.)   Healing, Hope and Horses came into being in order to share the joy and God-given nature of horses, and to help combat the stresses of life experienced by pretty much everyone.

• How does it work?

We use Equine Assisted Philosophy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) activities to create connection and facilitate experiential learning.  These object lessons are facilitated by our horses in an outdoor setting.   In the inclusive quietness horses provide, combined with The Immanuel Approach as developed by Dr. Karl Lehman and as taught by Alive and Well, we can clearly hear the still small voice that leads us to God-inspired, ah-ha moments.  

• Will I get to ride/can I take riding lessons?

We are not a lesson or riding facility.  All sessions take place on the ground.  

• Do I need to know anything about horses?

No.  This is not about horsemanship.  We do stress safety.  We have taken our horses to a downtown Rockford nursing home, surrounded by people and traffic.  One of our horses has even been in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago!  Our horses are conditioned to being around people.  However, horses weigh over 1000 lbs. and as such, need to be treated with respect.  You will be required to sign a release form for this reason.  

• How should I dress?

In closed-toed shoes and for the weather.  Expect to be outside or under the porch near our outdoor arena.  Summer brings heat, humidity and flies, winter brings its own challenges. Rescheduling for weather is permitted.

• Is there a charge?
  We collect suggested donation fees for events set up by individuals or organizations.  Our Saturday morning Bible studies on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9:00am-10:30am beginning June 14th, as well as our yearly Women's Retreat, set for September 14, 2025, are strictly donation-based.   All fees collected go directly into the care of the horses and for educational tools needed to enhance the effectiveness of the work.