Opening Gates, Inc.

Please join our local community in raising funds for Opening Gates. Opening Gates (a non-profiit 501c3) provides therapy services for children and adults throughout Kentuckiana. They have a unique and effective approach to therapy in that they utilize horses (aka Equine Therapy).

Myself and 4 other passionate volunteers are having a friendly competition to raise money for this much needed service in our community. I want to win this competition! Please Help me and my horse Coco raise $3,000 by October 4th. Reaching this goal will pay for 100 hours of therapy for children.

My horse Coco is an amazing therapy horse. I remember the time when she intentionally turned her attention to a child. A child who was in the middle of trauma. She walked towards her and began to follow and listen to the child as the child was completing her task during the session. The perpetual frown that had been on the child's face for the entire first month had turned into a smile for the very first time. Coco had instilled a sense of belonging and confidence in this child. An act that only Coco could do and it changed the trajectory of this child's future.

Please join me in supporting Opening Gates and together we can touch the lives of so many children and allow them to experience the magical healing power of a horse.

Help me and Teke win the Race for the Gates!

I, along with 4 other fantastic horse and volunteer pairs are in a race to see who can raise the most money for Opening Gates by October 4th, 2024!

For those who are not familiar, Opening Gates is a 501(c)(3) here in Jeffersonville, IN that provides mental health counseling and services to families and individuals of all ages through a variety of programs. The main tool used to provide these services are horses and who are either retired or rescued. All donations go to the care of these incredible animals.

My partner is the famous (occasionally infamous) Teke! Teke is one of the most familiar faces around the barn, participating in a variety of programs both at home and out in the community. If you have met Teke, you know that he’s a giant personality in a tiny little body. He is one of the smartest horses I have ever met, and he knows it. Teke’s intelligence isn’t limited to escape attempts and food grabs. He’s absolutely amazing at gauging what a child needs and can handle. He may pull pranks on an adult, but when a youngster needs a particular thing from him, he knows and adapts to that individual, whether it’s hugs, or a lesson on how to handle emotions in difficult situations, he somehow always knows what to do that day.

The horses of Opening Gates have an immeasurable impact on the lives of many people in many ways. It would mean so much to have your support in Teke’s and my effort to win this race! Anything is appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read and for helping care for these wonderful animals!

Friends, I need your help!!

Myself and 4 other volunteers are having a friendly competition to raise money for this much needed service in our community. Please Help me and my horse Jack raise $5,000 by October 4th and come in 1st place in the Run for the Gates!!

All proceeds are going to Opening Gates, Inc (located in Jeffersonville, IN), which is a family-owned, 501(c)(3) organization committed to setting the standard in mental health counseling using horses as the main facilitating tool. Opening Gates provides mental health counseling (individual, family and group) and academic learning programs (reading and math) to the community. Opening Gates has been offering counseling services to residents of Southern Indiana since 2008. Their funding comes from individual and business donations, and fundraising events. **As of June this year, 95% of our program’s clients have reduced or free services. ** You donating today means that we can cover the cost to help those who are struggling to cover the cost of their basic needs alone. With your help, they won’t have to pay us a penny out of their own pocket.

What this organization means to me:

17 years ago I found my extended family… I found this farm. I found 2 of the strongest people I will ever meet running the show, I found an abundance of mischievous cats, escape artist goats, and some of the best teachers on 4 hooves that I could ever hope for. This farm played a huge part in shaping me into the person that I am today, and I will never be able to do enough or say enough to show how truly grateful I am to have found them, and to still be apart of their farm family today.

My horse partner Jack is a gentle giant and amazing therapy horse, but don’t take my word for it...

- A client’s quote after 1 session with Jack: “He focused on me the entire time, even though there were other people around. It didn't matter what I did, he never walked away. Actually, he walked up to me like he was waiting for me to introduce myself to him. I think he knew I was nervous. He made me smile. I feel important to him.”

And isn’t that what we all need? Someone that doesn’t walk away, someone that sees us, someone that shows us that we’re important, shows us that we matter? And these horses can do all that and more without ever uttering a word.

I’d love your support in helping to raise funds for the amazing work done through this organization, and to make sure Jack and I come in 1st in our race for the gates. Jack may not be the fastest guy on 4 hooves, but he sure is quick to work his way into the hearts of all who get the opportunity to meet him. Any amount is helpful in giving back to these magnificent creatures and the work supporting the community in which they reside! Thank you all for donating, sharing, and caring!!❤️❤️