Campaign Progress
Valley of Hope is in the process of moving from concept to reality. A significant amount of time has been spent researching every aspect of non-profit horse therapy program(s) for veterans. Below is a brief history of the journey:
- VoH was founded November 1, 2019.
- Granted federal tax-exempt status, 501(c)(3), April 7, 2020.
- Research conducted from November 1, 2019 - September 2021
- Grand document developed from September 21, 2021 - December 26, 2021
- Website Development from January 21, 2022 - present
Initially, the anticipated programs mirrored already existing programs, but that was not the vision of VoH. VoH is working to provide therapy programs unlike any currently available.
As such it has been important to be thoughtful through the development process. And now it is finally time to share this dream and ask the community to join us on this journey.
Funding to support the organization is anticipated to come primarily through grants, as well as corporate, and personal donations. We are determined to reach our goal of $550,000 so we can begin purchasing land, horses, and all the essential equipment, as well as hire the necessary staff (including trainers and therapists). Once the groundwork is completed, we can officially open and begin fulfilling the dream of helping Veterans.
Restless Spirits is anticipated to be the first program to be kicked off at VoH, followed by Roam Free. VoH will be Helping Veterans and rewilding wild horses.
Our long-term goal is to open specific areas to the public (Roam Free) where they can hike the property among the wild horses. These areas will be separate and apart from the Restless Spirit program to allow for privacy for those Veterans participating in the program. There will be a small donation requested for this experience. Not many people have ever seen a wild horse, so it is anticipated that it will draw the masses.
About Valley of Hope
The goal of VoH is to offer a unique therapeutic approach to Veterans suffering from PTSD. VoH is hoping to heal those struggling with trauma, reduce the effects of PTSD, and support Veterans’ positive mental health outcomes by finding peace and purpose through interaction and ultimately bonding with wild horses.
In order to understand how this environment could possibly be therapeutic, it is important to understand horses in general and more specifically the Nokota breed. Most people who own horses talk about their “therapeutic” value. Being in the barn grooming, feeding, and otherwise caring for their horse reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves overall health. It is the companionship with their equine partners that is the foundation of our growth in relationship to these animals. Being with their horse is “therapy.” Equine therapy can offer a therapeutic environment that can feel less threatening and more inviting than a traditional talk session in a therapist’s office thereby increasing the chances that a Veteran will seek out help when needed.
Challenges for Veterans
Approximately 200,000 veterans in the Kansas City area are at risk of suffering from PTSD. PTSD can result in a number of distressing and persistent symptoms including:
Re-experiencing trauma through flashbacks or nightmares
Sleep Problems
Sudden Anger
Emotional Numbness
Difficulties in Relationships
Drug and Alcohol Misuse
Impacts on Families and Children
Male Veterans with PTSD are more likely to report the following problems:
Marriage or relationship problems.
Parenting Problems.
Poor Family Functioning.
Family members may feel hurt, alientated, or discouraged because their loved one has not been able to overcome the effects of the trauma. Some research shows that children of Veterans with PTSD are more likely to have behavioral problems, problems at school, and problems getting along with others. Their parents see them as more sad, anxious, aggressive, and hyper. Children may feel that their parent with PTSD does not care about them.
Benefits of Horse Therapy
Some benefits of horse therapy include increased:
- Assertiveness
- Confidence
- Developing and maintaining relationships
- Emotional awareness
- Empathy
- Impulse control
- Problem-solving skills
- Social skills
- Trust in others
- Trust in self
- Adaptability
- Distress tolerance
- Emotional awareness
- Independence
- Impulse control
- Self-esteem
- Social awareness
- Social relationships
How Does Valley of Hope Therapy Work?
Restless Spirit
Restless Spirit will be the core program at VoH. We are working to raise funds to purchase at least 50 acres of pasture for 10-15 Nokotas (initially). Veterans who come to VoH will be given the opportunity to participate in a range of undertakings from feeding, grooming, and gentling the horses to putting up/mending fences, building shelters, dragging pastures, etc. When working with horses healing can be found through a number of different types of interactions. Mucking a stall seems gross and mundane for some, but horse lovers find the time to be peaceful and oftentimes relaxing. Every Veteran that comes to the property will take an initial wild horse safety course to ensure they understand how to be around horses, specifically wild horses, and horse property. There will be a full-time horse trainer on-site who will be working with the Veterans and wild horses on a daily basis.
Roam Free
Roam Free is another program that is planned for VoH. This program is intended to be implemented once there is enough land purchased as part of the preserve to offer hiking trails. Every aspect of VoH will honor our veterans and the Nokotas. As such the hiking trails will include stories of our local Veterans heroes as well as stories to educate the community about the Nokotas as they too have an incredible story.
The goal is to have those Veterans who are participating in the Restless Spirit program help develop the Roam free program. The stories to be told could be their stories, or those of the men and women they served with. Valley of Hope is intended to be focused on these incredible heroes - Veterans and Nokotas, and it will ultimately be what they want to make of it.
Nokota Horse Therapy
The Nokotas affinity for partnership, intelligence, intuitive knowing, strength, resilience and compassion make them the ideal 'therapist.' Nokotas tend to be intelligent and have a high level of self-preservation. They're very quick learners. When handled correctly, this breed is personable and easy-going.
“The Nokota horse has a long, unique history. This breed can trace its ancestry to the war ponies of Sitting Bull, a Native American chief who lived from 1831-1890.
The breed was first encountered by ranchers in the 19th century. In the early 20th century, Nokota horses were nearly wiped out when ranchers began to fight for livestock grazing land. A few bands managed to survive with the creation of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, the park saw the horses as nuisances. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that the public demanded their safety.
Nokotas tend to be intelligent and have a high level of self-preservation. They’re very quick learners. When handled correctly this breed is personable and easy-going.”
The future of Nokota horses relies heavily on the Nokota Horse Conservancy (NHC). This non-profit organization works to save and promote this rare American breed. VoH is hoping to join this incredible mission by providing another preserve to help grow the herd.
Meet the CEO
For as long as I can remember I have been a dreamer. I often felt alone, because the only person who understood and supported my crazy dreams was my Dad. He would always tell me, “Stephanie, you are the toughest person I know.” No matter the dream, he would tell me to go for it. He was my biggest cheer leader growing up and throughout much of my adult life. I had no idea that so many of the things I had dreamt of all my life would manifest into a life changing mission.
