Circle of Hope is raising funds to continue to keep our horses healthy and well-fed when sessions start again in early February 2023. Our goal is to raise $10,000 in February. Your donation goes directly to buy food and hay and to pay for vet care. All donations are tax-deductible.

Like most other businesses, our costs have increased over the past couple of years, and we need more income to keep going. Our income comes from our riders and our donors, people like you who believe in Circle of Hope’s mission to provide equine-assisted services to help our participants enhance their quality of life.

A MESSAGE FROM PAPA AND LUCY

Hi! We are Papa and Lucy.

We are therapy horses who live at Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding (CHTR) in Barnesville, MD. We love our job helping children and adults with disabilities.

We are raising $10,000 to cover the growing costs of our care and feeding. Horse feed, stall shavings, everything is more expensive than it used to be. On top of that, we both need to have our teeth fixed so we can eat better and avoid getting sick. Money is always tight in the winter when it's too cold for riders, so we need your help to get us through!

Circle of Hope has served the Montgomery County community, Frederick County community, and the greater Washington, DC area for over 26 years and continues to benefit more than 200 people annually. With your help, we will be able to fulfill our mission to provide equine-assisted services for individuals with physical, mental, emotional and developmental disabilities to enhance their quality of life.

CHTR is a nationally accredited non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to encouraging the physical and mental development of children and adults with developmental, psychological, or physical disabilities. Our mission is to provide equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with physical, mental, emotional and developmental disabilities to enhance their quality of life. (http://www.chtr.org/)

CHTR's equine-assisted approach incorporates cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and physical goals to increase self-confidence, self-esteem, physical independence, and social awareness. CHTR is a Premier Accredited Member Center of PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). PATH is the United States's only certifying organization for therapeutic riding programs.

History of Equine-Assisted Therapy

Therapeutic riding was first introduced in the United States in the late 1960s. The approach utilizes instruction in horseback riding and horsemanship skills to assist children and adults with developmental, psychological, or physical disabilities. Research shows that participants can experience physical, emotional, and mental rewards. Participants with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. The unique relationship formed between the participant and the horse can also lead to increased confidence, patience, and self-esteem in individuals with mental, emotional, or developmental disabilities.