Summer Recap & Autumn Announcements
|
|
As we wind down a fabulous summer at PH, we wish you and your family a safe joy-filled Labor Day weekend!
|
|
What a great summer it has been!
It was a summer full of camp and workshop fun
for all ages!
Some programs were offered by Project Horse and others were programs where we helped out. We also ran a variety of workshops at Project Horse, and we continued to strengthen community partnerships. As you'll read below, the horses and staff of Project Horse were also honored by a very special visitor.
Please enjoy scanning our summer highlights, and then scroll down to check out several
fantastic Wellness Groups
we are offering this fall! And read about our special 4-legged co-founder, Reeses, who continues to heal and inspire others. Finally, we thank our awesome and dedicated group of volunteers!
All of us at Project Horse - the volunteers, barn staff, facilitators and 4-legged therapists - are proud that every camp, every workshop, every therapy session and every visit creates
meaningful moments of connection, learning, friendship & peace.
|
|
In support of our Warrior Herd
TM
veterans program, we received a special visit in June from
Chuck & Gabe to the Rescue
! Gabe was a military service dog and received the American Hero Dog Award in 2012. Like most of our horses, Gabe had been a rescue.
Gabe and Chuck (Sgt. Charles Shuck) saved countless soldiers in Iraq. During one of their tours, they uncovered more explosives and weapons than any other dog team.
We were thrilled to meet Chuck, who generously donated stuffed plushie animals -
in Gabe's honor
- for our Warrior Herd Gold Star campers and other young clients in need of comfort & reassurance.
|
|
|
Thank you Chuck and Gabe, true American heroes!
|
|
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
The summer brought fun opportunities to partner up with some of our fellow nonprofits to help effect positive change and growth!
In mid-July and again last weekend, we partnered with the
Ryan Bartel Foundation
to host
The FORT
at the farm! The FORT is a "place" where teens connect, share, learn and grow, while participating in a variety of free workshops.
Our horses and facilitators helped over 40 teens build creative problem solving techniques and enhance coping skills and resiliency. We look forward to continuing this partnership!
|
In July we also hosted teens from an expressive arts camp held by
A Place To Be.
We all enjoyed sharing the fun, wisdom and learning offered through non-riding interactions with horses! Our horses, volunteers and staff met so many great new people this summer!
|
|
Warrior Herd Gold Star Camp
In early August, we held a pro bono camp for kids who have lost a family member in the military. We thank all who helped, especially our wonderful volunteers who ensured everyone had a safe and meaningful experience. We also thank Catie Parker from
A Place To Be
who helped our kids create a super cool camp theme song!
|
Project Horse Empowerment Center
And that's a wrap! We had such a fantastic week with our Warrior Herd campers. We practiced lots of leading, grooming many horses, putting on talent shows, and creating deep bonds with the horses. We...
Read more
www.facebook.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
FALL WELLNESS PROGRAMS ARE HERE!
|
|
Fall is just around the corner, and we're super excited to announce more outstanding group wellness programs!
|
|
|
Back by popular demand, our next retreat is Saturday October 13. Enjoy this day of open and honest discussion with other women interested in wellness and well-being. You will leave the day re-charged and inspired by our amazing horses and gifted facilitators!
Registration is underway.
|
|
|
Let’s face it… being a teen in the 21
st
century is hard! School and academic pressures, extra-curricular activities, social media, peer relationships, parental expectations - not to mention brain development and changing body chemistry - can be overwhelming!
These workshops offer fun ways to develop the tools needed to manage everyday challenges and stress. Each monthly workshop has a different relevant theme. Best of all, teens get to connect with cool horses and each other!
NEXT DATE: Sept. 9
|
|
|
Project Horse is excited to announce an entirely
NEW
program focused on addictions and recovery!
We are hosting twice-monthly sessions to address the challenges and gifts that recovery has to offer, while trying to accommodate participants' schedules. Based on the 12 Step Program, we partner with horses to provide an innovative, experiential approach to 12 Step topics.
|
|
|
Project Horse thanks the amazing women who attended our spring Women’s Retreat! We had such an inspiring and insightful time that we ended up meeting twice!! We honor and appreciate your openness, and willingness to show up to dive into honest and deep sharing.
As a result of this time together, Project Horse has created a monthly women’s wellness group. All are welcome as we discuss topics, share our lives, work with our wise horses, and build a community for women based on self-exploration, growth and authenticity. For more information on dates and topics,
click here
.
|
|
|
Project Horse is pleased to continue to offer monthly pro bono workshops to veterans and their family members. Each workshop is private and custom-tailored to address your family's challenges and goals. We serve only one veteran, couple or family per workshop.
|
|
R
esilient
E
mpathetic
E
ngaging
S
trong
E
xtrospective
S
teadfast
|
These are just a few of the many words that describe Reeses, the Co-Founder of Project Horse Empowerment Center.
While Reeses' story is pretty well documented, what may not be so well-known is her ability to communicate and to respond.
She knows the value of subtle and soft, and can gently get a message across to a client, herd mate or caregiver with just a look or a small movement.
She can be very demonstrative, sensing when emotional safety is needed. She provides a soft yet strong shoulder, and can handle the weight of another's invisible burden.
She knows when “tough love” is necessary. She expects hard work from those who seek her wisdom and guidance, and holds them accountable.
She knows when to ask for help. She is an incredibly stoic mare but when faced with something she can’t manage on her own, she communicates with those who can help and support her.
Her huge heart is open, regardless of her past neglect.
|
|
Reeses is a healthy and happy horse despite several chronic health issues, which are managed with various medications and treatments. Reeses is now getting a quarterly CT scans at the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia to monitor a growth behind her left eye socket (which necessitated removal of her left eye in December 2017).
If you would like to help with Reeses' care, please consider making a tax deductible donation or helping sponsor Reeses by becoming a Herd Hero today.
|
Reeses is an extraordinary being. We are so very fortunate to have her in our family.
|
|
We celebrate our wonderful, talented and generous volunteers!
|
Thank you to our
summer volunteer staff
(pictured from the left: Mikayla, Pauline, Becca S and Becca M). These energetic, creative young ladies helped with camps, group visits, horse care & more!
And an extra big shout-out to Becca S for doing a fantastic job as our social marketing intern this summer!
|
|
Volunteers are critical to our organization. Without their dedication, energy and commitment, Project Horse would not be able to fulfill its mission of providing hope and healing to individuals in the community, and beyond.
Thank you everyone!
|
|
We are a 501(c)(3) that's fueled by passionate volunteers, and charitable support
from individuals like you
!
|
|
CLIENT SERVICES & EQUINE FACILITY
**by appointment only**
18915 Lincoln Road Purcellville, Virginia 20132
Tel 703-517-6964 Fax 571-405-5442
|
|
STAY CONNECTED WITH PROJECT HORSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|