UPDATE: As we slowly begin to open back up

HeartStrides Update - May 2020

Update: As we plan to ramp up services...

Hello to all of you --

We miss everyone so much and hope everyone is hanging in there okay. I know how many of us have anxiously awaited for the time when Washington starts to open back up and allow services and businesses to operate (with new guidelines to keep everyone safe). It is so weird to think of how much has changed since March when things started to close.

The staff at HeartStrides is excited to announce that we are currently working hard to build a plan for reopening all of our services. We know the participants, volunteers, families, and supporters are excited to come back to the ranch, and we are looking forward to seeing you again!

The services offered at HeartStrides and Healing Hearts Ranch fall into several categories of mental health and therapy services as well as recreational horseback riding. We are pleased to hear that Governor Inslee's announcements for the phased reopening of Washington have already included these services. While this is great news, there is a lot to consider as to how we operate at the ranch with regards to social distancing, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and establishing group sizes, to enable to us to offer our services safely, both in terms of being around the horses, but also with regard to COVID-19 precautions. Our services will not be able to resume as they were before we closed for some time, so we ask for your patience and flexibility as we "turn the dial" to get back into operation. We are thrilled to move forward with our plans so that we are able to welcome you all back to the ranch at the appropriate time and with appropriate safety measures in place.

In general, one-on-one sessions utilizing groundwork will begin first. This will be followed by private riding lessons, then small groups, and lastly we will begin to accommodate our larger groups. Participants will be invited back in stages depending on the criteria we develop to keep everyone safe with their horses, but also provide social distancing in accordance with the state requirements for recreational horseback riding, group sizes, etc. It may take some time before we are able to offer our larger groups. Please keep an eye on your emails for more information.

If you have any specific questions please contact:

Founding Director, Kristy Dees

Program Manager, Hanna Baus

at [email protected]

Staff Spotlight

Name: Chelsea Johnson

Role at HeartStrides/How long have you worked here: Certified Peer and Instructor in training. Started as a volunteer 9 years ago!

Favorite quote: “Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.”

What do you love most about HeartStrides?:

I love how truly passionate our team and supporters are. HeartStrides is made up of people who believe in this work, from the founding director to the newest volunteer. I love that I get to come to work and see people who are as dedicated as I am, if not more, to sharing strength, healing, and living authentically.

Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books?:

Book: How to be an Adult in Relationships by David Richo

Book: Facing Codependence by Pia Mellody

Book: Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

What do you do at HeartStrides?:

I teach beginner and intermediate lessons to kids and adults and I work as a peer in the EAYPS program sharing my strength, hope, and experience with other youth.

What’s your background?:

AA in general studies with experience as care-giving to young adults and teens with disabilities. Currently working as a behavior technician providing ABA services to children with autism. Hoping to peruse a BS is psychology and MS in occupational therapy.

What are the values that drive you?:

Honesty, empowerment, and greater good.

What kinds of hobbies do you do outside of work?:

I am a, semi-new, rare house plant enthusiast! Currently obsessed with my philodendron collection! I enjoy hiking, watching football with my husband, and playing with our two dogs and two kitties at home. Sometimes I can bake a pretty mean chocolate chip cookie... and of course occasionally hopping on the back of a horse at Healing Hearts Ranch!

Tell us something fun about yourself?:

I love to sing! I am too shy to ever sing in front of anyone but I annoy my husband every day with my concerts in the car and singing very loudly in the shower!

Surprise! We have 2 new herd members!

Please join us in welcoming our newest herd members to Healing Hearts Ranch! We are so thrilled to have them join us and they can't wait to be part of our programs as we open back up. Meet Wave and Daisy! These two belong to Cathy Mahon, our Life Coach here at Healing Hearts Ranch and HeartStrides! We are looking forward to watching the relationships they build and the lessons they teach.

S tay Engaged While Social Distancing

Our herd has some fun and innovative ways to stay connected to our staff and each other during this period of temporary closure. Join us on social media to watch our Mental Health Tips for Quarantine videos with Hanna, see photos of the horses, and articles to read!

Link to HeartStrides' Facebook Page

Link to HeartStrides' Instagram Page

Lizzy wants everyone to know when quarantine is over she is more than ready for some lovin’. She is certainly missing her humans, as is the rest of the herd!

How You Can Help

Direct Donations

To donate online, please visit:

http://heartstridestherapeutichorsemanship.com

our direct PayPal link, here .

To donate by check, please mail to:

HeartStrides

3500 85th Ln SW

Olympia, WA 98512

Direct monetary donations are specifically used to:

Provide hay and care for our beloved equine partners
Increase the number of participants we can serve by providing scholarships
Host after school hours for youth

Donate Through Businesses

Amazon.com will donate 0.5% of your purchases to HeartStrides through Amazon Smile! You can do your normal shopping and support our mission at the same time! Shop our link and start supporting today: smile.amazon.com/ch/27-3559358

If you shop at Fred Meyer, you can also do your regular grocery shopping and support HeartStrides at the same time. Just link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to HeartStrides with our code (TT806) and get shopping. You still keep all of your rewards, but our organization also benefits!

If you are a state employee, we are also signed up with the Combined Fund Drive -- donate today! Our WA state Charity Code is #1481074

Spread the Word

Please connect with us on social media, like and share our content, and help us build support to give our youth, families and veterans the chance to continue on their journey of healing through horses. We are looking forward to sharing more stories of hope and healing.

HeartStrides | www.heartstridestherapeutichorsemanship.com