OUR STORY
Our story began with the idea of bringing the magic of interacting with horses to youth and families living in Vancouver’s east side. The healing and empowering benefits of humans working with horses is increasingly understood. Why not bring horses here?
Since this exciting and simple idea, we have: consulted the community and received extensive endorsements; found an exceptional program to offer; and gathered the resources needed (space, horses, facilitators, partners and funds) to get started. Cartier Farms trained us in their Equine Assisted Learning program.
Our pilot program was born when Burnaby Neighbourhood House asked us to provide horse programs for the youth they work with, and Burnaby Horsemen’s Association generously gave us space for an Equine Assisted Learning program focussed on Burnaby youth.
We’ve had a very successful pilot program. We now look forward to our new year of our Learning With Horses program, with increased capacity. We are seeking addition space so that Vancouver eastside youth can easily access our program and horses.
We are strengthened by the generous support of our partners, donors and the horse community.
OUR MISSION
- Our Mission is to strengthen personal and community wellbeing through connections with horses in an inclusive community setting.
WHY WE DO IT
We are driven by the understanding that:
horses and nature are good for people;
all youth need and deserve support; and
everything is possible when we work together.
OUR VALUES
- Respect: treating everyone and our horses with respect and appreciation.
- Inclusion: providing accessible, youth-centred programs in welcoming spaces.
- Partnership: working together collaboratively for community benefit.
- Empowerment: acting for positive change with vision and integrity.