Hope Reins
Horses. Healing. Hope
Vision & Mission
Mission
To improve emotional and behavioral health, empower individuals, foster resiliency and improve overall wellness in a nature-based environment, regardless of an individual's ability to pay.
Vision
To provide evidence-based, trauma informed, and culturally sensitive healing relationships between horses and humans, providing joy for all who participate.
Core Values
Acceptance
HOPE
Respect
Teamwork
Communication
“Most of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, but we are actually feeling creatures that think.”
Jill Bolte Taylor
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
EAP is used to treat a variety of mental health and human development needs including behavioral issues, ADHD, PTSD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, grief and loss, anger issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, and communication needs
Candidates for EAP include all people who are physically comfortable walking and standing for at least 40 minutes. EAP is interactive, fun, and empowers people to find hope in healing and solutions for life’s challenges. EAP is an excellent form of therapy for anyone who wants to be proactive in making a better life.
Naturally intimidating to many, horses are large and powerful. This creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Working alongside a horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life.
Like humans, horses are social animals, with defined roles within their herds. They would rather be with their peers. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods; an approach that works with one horse won’t necessarily work with another.
Most importantly, horses mirror human body language. Many complain, “This horse is stubborn. That horse doesn’t like me,” etc. The lesson is that if they change themselves, the horses respond differently. Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers (Source: eagala.org)
Horse Powered Reading®
Horse Powered Reading® helps children
- Increase confidence
- Promote self-efficacy
- Foster connections
- Learn valuable reading skills
- Carry new skills into the regular classroom
Horse Powered Reading® integrates social-emotional learning with academics; thus allowing students see and experience reading with their entire mind, body and emotions by creating metaphors for the skills involved in reading.
Students interact with horses from the ground, while using toys and props to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills - phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension
* Session goals vary depending upon the needs of the individual or group
Provided at area schools through a generous grant from the North Dakota Community Foundation
Why Horses?
Naturally intimidating to many, horses are large and powerful. This creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Working alongside a horse, in spite of those fears, creates
confidence and provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life.
Like humans, horses are social animals, with defined roles within their herds. They would rather be with their peers. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods; an approach that works with one horse won’t necessarily work with another.
Most importantly, horses mirror human body language. Many complain, “This horse is stubborn. That horse doesn’t like me,” etc. The lesson is that if they change themselves, the horses respond differently. Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers (Source: eagala.org)
The belief that our clients have the best solutions for themselves forms a foundation for the EAGALA approach. Rather than instructing or directing solutions, we allow our clients to experiment, problem-solve, take risks, employ creativity, and find their own solutions that work best for them.
Horse Powered Reading® integrates social-emotional learning with academics; thus allowing students see and experience reading with their entire mind, body and emotions by creating metaphors for the skills involved in reading.
Students interact with horses from the ground, while using toys and props to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills - phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension
Natural Lifemanship teaches the science and art of connection. Natural Lifemanship Principals are based on Bruce Perry's work and trauma informed care. Quite simply, we believe that attuned, connected relationship with self and with others is the key to healthy development, mental health and well-being. (Certification in process)
Hope Reins
Hope Reins
Registration Fee: $150
Incoming 1st-5th graders
Includes
t-shirt!
- Intro to Horse care
- Arts & Crafts
- Hands on learning
- Read with a horse
- Visit with other farm animals
July 31- August 2
Monday thru Wednesday
9AM- 1PM
Snacks provided
Please bring a bagged lunch
Register now at:
Eventbrite.com
Or call 701-484-2356 for info
Why Horse Powered Reading ?
Research-based program developed at Concordia University-St. Paul
- Increases Confidence
- Increases Self-Efficacy
- Fosters Connection
- Facilitate valuable reading skills
Want to learn more about it? Visit
Coming Again This Fall!
Watch for details
Do Your Kids
LOVE
Horses and Books?
Join Our Book Club
Only $15/ month
One Saturday/month
$90/January-June
Parties
Throughout the summer we host tea parties and other fun events for kids. Money raised supports our therapy program.
Contact us about a pony at your party.
Our Therapy & Learning Team
Kim Dockter
Certified Horse Powered Reading Certified Instructor
Kim grew up with horses and cattle near Turtle Lake. She has worked in the juvenile court system and is currently a teacher with Bismarck Public Schools.
Dr. Sara Kenney
Founder, Executive Director
EAGALA Certified
Horse Powered Reading Certified Instructor
Pasture Management Certification
Horse Nutrition Certification
Dr. Kenney is a licensed psychologist. She grew up with a love for horses. She has a history of teaching dance as well as working in preschools & child treatment centers while a student. She strongly believes in learning through experiences, recognizing not all classrooms have four walls and loves witnessing the therapeutic benefits of interacting with horses.
LeAnn Ochsner
Equine Specialist
LeAnn was born and raised with thoroughbred race horses. She has worked with and owned race and ranch horses most of her life. She has done training, both ground work and in the saddle. LeAnn has her Masters In Mental Health Studies anda bachelors in Social Work
Kaitlyn Kenney
Equine Specialist
Kaitlyn has grown up riding since she was young. She enjoys taking clinics with various professionals to learn what she can in a variety of disciplines. She has educated herself in equine science as well, with an interest in equine genetics. She enjoys farm life with horses, dogs, goats, and chickens.
VOLUNTEERS
We have a wonderful team of volunteer board members and others who help us fundraise and at events and lessons. We welcome anyone that is interested to reach out to us and see how you can fit into our team!
We are volunteer-based and rely on donations to support our horses, equipment, and volunteer trainings.
Contributions or gifts to Hope Reins, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax deductible as charitable contributions according to state and federal tax laws
Donors & Sponsors 2022-2023
The list below is based on donations received from Janury 2022 to the present.
Anyone who becomes a donor of Hope Reins before the end of 2023 will be considered a Founding Donor of the organization and will be able to retain that designation as long as they maintain or increase their donation over the coming years. Hope Reins is a 501c3 designated nonprofit and donations are tax-deductible based on state and national tax laws.
Silver
$1200-2499
Dr. Phyllis E. Johnson
Platinum
$5000 +
North Dakota Community Foundation
Gold
$2500- $4999
Bronze
$500 - $1199
4Imprint
Feil Orthodontics
Supporter
$200-499
Fran Joerz
Friend
Up to $199
Trina Kaiser
In-Kind Donations
Marte Stensli & Family
Tami Devore
Ann & Todd Richardson
Country Kids 4-H
Contributions or gifts to Hope Reins, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax deductible as charitable contributions
Hope Reins is a 501(c)3, non-profit, Equine Assisted Therapies & Learning program. Hope Reins offers mental health services to families and youth, individuals, veterans, and corporations. Our team is certified in the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
We are volunteer-based and rely on donations to support our horses, volunteer trainings, & facilities!
Click here to DONATE by credit card or checking account.
Contact Us
Address:
15405 26th Street NE
Baldwin, ND 58521
Tel: (701)484-2356
Email: HopeReinsND@gmail.com
Safety protocols mandated by the health department observed.
