Our biggest challenge presented itself after the relocation to our new facility in September. We needed more funds than expected to prepare our new barn and meet the high needs of our rescue horses! The end of the month was fast approaching, and we were working hard on raising the funds when Project Horse therapist, Heather Kirby, LCSW, took a trip to be a key speaker at the annual EGCM conference in Colorado.

The Equine Gestalt Coaching Method  (EGCMethod) was developed by Melisa Pearce, a core founder since 1989, of the horse-human healing movement. The experiential nature of the method involves the horse as an active partner assisting the coach or therapist in creating an experience that combines positive coaching, somatic awareness, and Gestalt methodology to assist the client in examining their life and choices, and moving toward a more positive future.

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Heather had been in the first graduating class of Melisa's program, and was invited to the  conference to present on the unique method she uses to connect with  difficult teens, as outlined in her book,  Wild at Heart: Ad olescents, Horses & Other Ki ndred Spirits . Heather was also afforded some time to educate the audience on Project Horse and our unique philosophy!

Melisa has a heart for giving back, and every year, a nonprofit equine organization is "featured" at the EGCM conference, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about and support worthy horse-related causes. This year, I am grateful that Project Horse was selected to be the featured EGCM charity! Heather went to Colorado equipped with a brief presentation that highlighted our 3 key funding initiatives:

The EGCM audience was profoundly touched when they learned about Project Horse's forever commitment to our rescued and rehabilitated horses. The EGCM practitioner community truly honors horses and understands the immense financial burden involved in ensuring them lifelong holistic support and care. They also understand the additional challenges and costs incurred by rescue horses like ours. They could appreciate that it's rare for an organization to make such a commitment and, although it may not be economical, it's the right thing to do. It also sets the right tone for our clients who have their own unique challenges. It's something that we take very seriously and in which we feel immense pride.

We are extremely thankful to the many kind and caring people who took the time to learn about Project Horse at the EGCM conference and pitched in generously to help! Those funds provided critical and timely financial support by offsetting unexpected costs associated with our relocation. Less tangible, but just as meaningful, those donations underscored the power of community, and we felt honored by the outpouring of support from our fellow equine practitioners.

As a fun bonus, Melisa Pearce and her husband, Dane took a trip to Northern Virginia and visited Project Horse. They met our wonderful herd, saw our new facility "in-progress" and delivered the donated EGCM practitioner funds.

Melisa Pearce, EGCM founder, presents the donation check to Darcy Woessner and Heather Kirby of Project Horse, right when we needed it!

As I ponder today all for which I give #gratitude, Melisa Pearce, her organization Touched By A Horse, and the generous donors from the EGCM 2016 conference are all front and center in my mind, and deeply embedded in my heart.

A new year will mean a new set of challenges, and we are relying on the generosity of donors to help us further expand our client session areas and be better equipped to service clients in all weather conditions. Your invaluable support enables us to provide holistic care for our healing herd, offer services to those with economic challenges, and take our services out into the community to a diverse range of clients who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity.

I am grateful for people like you who make it possible for our healing herd to do their amazing work!  Thank you very much.

With much gratitude & warm holiday wishes,

  Darcy

Darcy Woessner, CES

Founder & Executive Director

PS - Please help us fulfill the matching grant challenge & spread the word if you can.

Reeses inspects some of the specialty horse supplies and supplements on-hand at Project Horse to cover the diverse needs of our rescue herd. Reeses is a strong proponent of our  Forever Commitment Fund!