"There is no place on earth like Project Horse."

By Jenny Conaty
Project Horse volunteer
Jenny pictured with rescued mini horses, Fudge and Penny.
There is no place on Earth like Project Horse. I remember the first time my husband, Kevin, and I drove up the lane towards the main barn. The beauty of the herd in their fields and paddocks was striking! The feeling of calm and peace we felt as we arrived that first day still surrounds us each time we volunteer. There is a specialness about Project Horse that is hard to put into words. We feel honored to be a part of such a special place of healing.

We help out Project Horse in a variety of ways... fundraising, staffing informational booths at events, and even marching in parades... but we most enjoy spending quality down time with the horses in their paddocks and fields.
It doesn't take much to fall in love with the wonderful horses of Project Horse. Each has a distinct personality and a rescue story that draws you in. Although the entire herd is close to my heart, a special little lady has a bigger piece of it. I knew Penny (and her daughter, Fudge) for about a year before they came to Project Horse. I also do volunteer work for the miniature horse rescue that rescued these two special mini horses, and soon it was time to find both a forever home.

Being a rescue horse who seemed to have experienced the bad side of humans, Penny was very shy and withdrew from human contact. I tried working with her on the days I saw her, but she needed more consistent nurturing. When I heard that Project Horse wanted to expand their Mobile Minis School program, I knew Penny would thrive within their herd!

Now, a few years later, Penny is a completely different horse. With the special and patient care provided by Project Horse, Penny is no longer the shy and wary horse she used to be. Penny has integrated fully into the Mobile Minis program and she has traveled to schools and events around Northern Virginia to help many children with special needs. I am so very proud of her bravery in overcoming her fears, because it wasn't easy! Penny now allows herself to trust humans, and she generously shares the gift of making everyone she meets feel special.
Kevin and I are both so proud to volunteer for this wonderful nonprofit organization and have been thrilled to witness how they turned the life around of one little horse, so that she can now spread healing and hope to many others.

Please help keep this special place thriving with your gift today! Your donation can help Penny travel to more schools, providing confidence and hope to more special needs children and their families.


VOLUNTEERS...

Amazing volunteers fuel Project Horse.

Behind the scenes, Project Horse volunteers care for, train and support the horses. In the forefront, our volunteers help deliver impactful services to clients, spreading much-needed healing and hope.

December is Volunteer Appreciation Month!
I ask you to honor the year-round selfless dedication of volunteers with a #GivingTuesday donation right now.



#HorsesGiveHope
and so do our #Volunteers.

Can you help Project Horse?
Please make a tax-deductible donation today and s upport the wonderful work of our volunteers and four-legged therapists & teachers!
Your donation will help:
  • replenish our Foster Scholarship Fund for needy families
  • expand our therapeutic services (including the Mobile Minis School Enrichment Program) and
  • support high quality care for our healing herd so they are ready and able to do their important work.

As an all-volunteer organization, your generous contribution goes directly where it's needed most.

Thank you, Knippenberg Foundation
We are excited to announce today that Dick Aboia of the Knippenberg Foundation has generously pledged a  $5000 matching donation ! For every dollar donated to Project Horse in December, up to $5000, the Knippenberg Foundation will double it.
Everyone needs HOPE
(pictured here is therapy horse, Hope)
On behalf of the many wonderful volunteers at Project Horse, I ask you to join our herd today. Make a donation , like us on facebook, follow us on Twitter or follow our new Instagram!

And even if you cannot donate today, you can
help out in a big way by simply forwarding this email to friends, family and co-workers. On social media, help us trend by using our hashtags:
#GivingTuesday  #HorsesGiveHope
#ProjectHorse  #Volunteers

A special thanks today from the herd and me for any help you can give!

  Darcy

Darcy Woessner
Founder & Executive Director
Project Horse Empowerment Center
Phone 703-517-6964 | Fax 571-405-5442
Blue
A Horse's Heart Revealed
(Lessons for Humanity)
Project Horse: Lessons Revealed by a Horse's Heart
Generously produced by Nancy Williams of the Dijitl Group. Thank you for your pro bono contribution and support!

What is Project Horse?

Millions of Americans, kids and adults alike, struggle with emotional, behavioral or cognitive challenges. Project Horse offers a unique environment for alternative therapy and experiential learning services to those that need it most. With our talented rescue herd, Project Horse's specially trained staff helps treat anxiety, depression, trauma, social skills deficits, impulsivity, substance abuse, and low self-esteem.


Why horses?

The calming presence of horses, coupled with their keen ability to sense and respond to the human condition, provides an ideal environment for growth and self discovery. Project Horse is dedicated to improving the lives of both humans and horses, creating a unique community of mutual healing and benefit.