Horses Healing Hearts Inc

As a Therapist who has personally worked with clients and horses through Horses Healing Hearts, I have seen and experienced first hand the healing power of horses. HHH is a very special non profit organization that really cares about people of all ages, that are struggling with not only substance abuse, but also with underlying mental health issues I would never hesitate to refer someone who needs a little something more special than a regular therapy session to help unlock inner feelings.

This has been the best decision I could have made as a single mother for my sweet boy. My ex-husband has been an alcoholic for over 15 years. I didn't know where to turn to or how to explain to my 6 year old son what his daddy's disease was. I was able to get a hold of this amazing organization and enroll him. He came out happier and lighter after just one session. He said "mommy I told my horse a lot of secrets and I feel better"!! This disease has consumed our lives and impacted our entire families. I am thankful for Liz and all she does. I will not let my little boy be part of this generational pattern he will break the cycle! I will forever be thankful to this amazing organization. If you are struggling you will find a home and a community here.

My three young children and I experienced an unimaginable trauma in the Fall of 2021, and were subsequently diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I was beside myself trying to be their support system, sole provider, and effectively help them cope and feel safe, while also trying to deal with my own PTSD. By chance, I came across some information for Horses Healing Hearts and decided to reach out. Liz contacted me almost immediately, and offered all three children a spot in the HHH program through a scholarship. If it hadn't been for Liz, I am not sure where we would be today. The experiences my children have had, and the relationships that they have built through HHH have allowed them the chance to begin to heal. The interactions with the horses as well as all the wonderful, selfless HHH staff have helped to ease some of the pain they bottle up inside. After a short time with HHH, they began to smile again. I can never thank or repay Liz and everyone at HHH, so instead we will try to pay this kindness forward to others.

A Truly Great Nonprofit! = Horses Healing Hearts.
I got involved with Horses Healing Hearts a decade ago!
I was amazed how many children & families were being helped through their work!
As time went on I watched them grow to helping thousands who truly needed the services that Horses Healing Hearts provides.
I will always support those who feel that helping others is a passion rather than a job.
Horses Healing Hearts Delivers.

Daniel / Palm Beach

HHH Has helped many of our students on campus within our Girls Empowerment Group called RISE UP Lisah and Liz are amazing and our students feel seen and validated.

Thank you

I have been taking lessons riding at this amazing woman's barn - Nongae. This woman not only owns the barn but has started a non-profit organization that helps individuals in rehab using equine therapy. As a rider in the next ring, I often watch the individuals bond with an animal that they are usually very intimidated by their very strength and beauty.

Watching them learn to trust an animal as powerful as a horse has been fascinating. It is the same feeling I have when I am riding. You can not control a horse. They become difficult to ride. You usually have to develop a "give and take attitude." Once you earn their trust they will become a friend for life and protect you by not throwing you and making it easy for you to ride. It is a feeling that is amazing.

As I watch from a distance, Nongae helps all types of people from different stages of life become more trustworthy. They enjoy the company of the animals. Horses are so genuine and similar to loving humans. They are happy to see you and will not betray you. With horses, you sense your love, and in turn, you love them.

Thank you Nongae for all your hard and I truly appreciate her selfless contributions to the program.

Kathy

I personally know several young people who have graduated from this program. They have experienced severe trauma ion their youth due to their family's struggle with addiction. Horses Healing Hearts showed them that there is a healthy way to live and gave them the tools to do so. The horses opened their hearts to trust again. Today they are thriving professionals leading happy lives!

I cannot say enough about this organization. There truly is nothing else like this anywhere! As a person who has grown up around horses, I know the incredible healing powers of these animals. Combining a curriculum of equine therapy, riding and interaction with group therapy is such a marvelous idea. I have been raising my grandchildren. I know first hand how painful and traumatic parental addiction can be to a child. Horses Healing Hearts knows this too, and they have turned these kids' lives around.

My three young children endured an extremely traumatic event at our home. The emotional damage done in one night was immense, but with the wonderful staff at HHH and the time spent healing and interacting with these gorgeous horses, my children have begun to process what happened to them. They have also begun learning coping strategies which will help them now but also for years to come. We couldn’t be more thankful for all HHH has done for us!

Horses Healing Hearts is such a wonderful place for children to come and get the services they need. The staff treat the children with such compassion and give them so much support. They are a true blessing in the lives of the children they serve.

Horses Healing Hearts is helping many kids deal with parental substance abuse in a way that is definitely unique. I feel they can "reach" kids who may not have wanted normal therapy in the past. Perhaps more effective in many cases. I don't really have an answer for what can they do better. They have already done a lot for so many kids. Keep up the great work!

The work this organization does is amazing! They provide hope and empowerment to kids facing trauma so they can lead a healthier and more productive life.

Caring loving good people ready to serve and committed to saving lives

HHH provides a unique service to children whose parents struggle with addiction. The children get to experience a safe space, interact with other children who share their challenges, and they are exposed to healthy, nurturing adults. The participants gain self awareness and self-confidence through their interactions with horses. HHH also assists drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs by providing equine therapy to adults striving to overcome addiction.

I know two families who have had their kids go through this program. It's a wonderful thing! The kids were struggling with self image issues, as well as depression related to family problems. Horses Healing Hearts have them the tools they needed to overcome their trauma. This is truly a South Florida gem.

HHH is a fantastic team of professionals helping children who need a safe place to share their struggles and learn life skills. They should expand to other states!

I recently have had the opportunity to be apart in helping Horses Healing Hearts and be an observer of this profound organization. It is a very special thing to be part of and watch those around you have a bright smile on their face. It’s a safe space for anyone and is utilized perfectly.

I am very happy that I am able to volunteer with the Horse Healing Hearts program. The power of the horse is truly incredible. I am so glad that we are able to help kids that are within a family of addiction.

Horses Healing Hearts has changed my life and countless other peoples lives as well. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be the same person that I am today without HHH in my life. From learning life coping skills, how to manage and deal with stress, and connecting with horses on another level, Horses Healing Hearts continues to help children of addicts learn that it is not their fault that their parents have an addiction and they can’t control other peoples actions, only their own. Thank you so much to Liz, the HHH board, Tara Farms, and all of the volunteers that keep this program going❤️

About one year ago or so, the treatment center I worked for was sending patients to Horses Healing Hearts for experiential Equine Therapy. I love horses and believe in the power of animals to help people heal and find their way again, so I offered to be the Therapist to bring the clients to the farm. What I saw the Owner/Founder and the Equine Therapist together with the beautiful horses do for these patients was so powerfully moving. Horses Healing Hearts is a truly authentic healing experience for anyone who would like to connect with their inner self once again. I love and believe in this organization so much, I am now working as an Equine Therapist for HHH and loving every minute of my time in the arena with clients and horses and witnessing the healing that takes place in those beautiful moments.

Children lives are changed because of the work that is being done here! I don't know of any other program like this that help children deal with a parent that is suffering from alcoholism.

I have been a volunteer with Horses Healing Hearts for the past 9 years. Some of the things the children talk about during circle time are heartbreaking. (I could have used a program like this when I was growing up.) The sessions at HHH are therapy for me. These children are my heroes!
Over the years, I have seen the difference in the children from when they first come in. Their whole personality changes. They begin to feel safe and become more relaxed and are open to sharing. The quiet ones slowly come out of their shell and speak more and the talkative ones begin to calm down. Watching a withdrawn moody child start to smile and interact with the other children over time is so wonderful to see. They begin to bond with one another. Being involved in the program over the years, I have seen the difference in some children who started at five or ten years of age grow into teenagers who are now driving and come in their own cars. The teens help out with the younger children who look up to them. Some have become what seems will be life-long friends. They are different people now. This really blows me away!

The power of the horse. Horses Healing Hearts has helped so many young boys and girls with alcohol and drug addicted parents.

Seeing the kids transition makes my heart smile. Thank you HHH for all you do.

Wonderful organization and they are addressing a niche that often goes un-noticed or under-represented. They take great care of their horses and they really help the kids!

My Foundation recently made a large grant to Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) in Boynton Beach Fla. When I, along with several of our Board Members, visited HHH we were blown away by the compassion of their staff and their connection to the kids. I personally visited several times after our first visit and it became so clear how this program positively impacted both the kids and their families. My only concern was that the waiting list far exceeded the ability HHH to serve all the kids in need. HHH is a true difference maker!

My daughter counted down the minutes until HHH every Saturday. I can’t imagine a more helpful program for her—we will always be so grateful.

Working with this organization for 2-3 years, I have seen great things, great kids, and great experiences with life changing moments for everyone. We all work to support these kids in a life changing and encouraging ways that have brought a smile to my face. Despite everything these kids have gone through, they're still able to genuinely enjoy themselves and be able to share their life stories with us. I enjoy every moment being able to work for such a great organization and be able to work with these wonderful kids.

What a life-changing program this has been for my children. They began attending at ages 9 & 11. My now 12 year old daughter has become so confident and compassionate - she knows the words to use to advocate for herself and both children have great boundaries established. My children love the clubhouse, the confidential nature of talks and they have worked through feelings of anger, sadness and frustration so beautifully. They truly have tools for life! Thank you HHH!

Horses healing hearts change so many children attitudes to positive outlooks on life. Being involved with the charity has taught me so many ways to aware daily signs of children that may have a hard time being accepted. I have learned to be generous and caring towards others feelings.

I am so blessed to be a volunteer at this wonderful organization. They are making a difference in these childrens' lives. I am testament to them opening up and gaining confidence, forging bonds, learning to trust, and learning coping skills to halt the cylce of addiction . The interaction among the children, with the staff and volunteers and most importantly with the horses is incredible.

Horses healing hearts helps children to recover from trauma at home and gives them the much needed life skills they need to break the cycle of addiction and have a bright future. Thank you for your commitment to our children who are our future.

I could't feel more honored to be a volunteer at Horses Healing Hearts and to be a part of this unbelievable program. As an adult child of an alcoholic, I cannot tell you how much I would of given to have a place like this for me to go to when I was growing up and dealing with an alcoholic parent at home and all of the fear and uncertainty that goes along with that for a child. HHH gives these children a place to actually be heard in a truly safe and nurturing environment. As children of alcoholics or addicts, we learn early on to not talk about certain things within the family and so we are always carrying around many dark and scary secrets. HHH is a safe place for these kids to talk about those things that they were always told to keep secret, and they do it with the love and support of the other children and volunteers. Children dealing with an addicted parent grow up with complete chaos and uncertainty constantly in their world. So having this amazing program that they all come to once or twice a week, gives them something to look forward to and something that they can "count" on, which is so extremely important for these kids. Having something continuous, safe and stable is beyond priceless and this program gives that to these beautiful souls. This program gives hope and support to these children, and that is something I am blessed to be a part of. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else then with these amazing kids!!!

When I volunteered at HHH last year, the compassion and love I witnessed by each and every one of the volunteers was unlike anything I had ever seen at any of the other charities I have volunteered at in the past. They truly care. And the kids noticed it. I could tell by the big smiles on all their faces. Kudos to you HHH. Keep up the great work.

My daughter Jayden has been attending the Horses and Homework sessions on Wednesdays at HHH for the past few months and she absolutely loves it! She has tried traditional counseling and therapy in the past but she has never really opened up before. I feel that since she has been going to HHH she is able to share her feelings in a safe setting and it has enabled her to learn to express and communicate her feelings more effectively at home. The interaction with the staff and the horses is icing on the cake! This organization does amazing things for these children and I whole-heartedly support them and their mission!

I cannot say enough good things about this program. As a volunteer I think that the program is mutually beneficial for the children served and the adults who offer their support. Unlike other therapeutic riding programs I have been involved with in the past HHH truly works to help heal hearts. Everyone who is a part of this program is amazing. The kids are fun and are sure to brighten your day. All of the volunteers are genuine, down to earth, and all around good people.

As a professional in the field of therapy, I am please to tell the story of a little girl in the Horses Healing Hearts program. This young girl has survived a substance addicted father, whom is currently in jail for theft and drug use. She talks about witnessing him kicking her dog and banging on doors and walls, which has caused her to develop a protective hypervigilance around her father. In addition, she has taken on the burden of adult responsibility. Her mother has worked hard to provide her with as much stability as possible and her love and concern for her daughter is palpable. She has put her daughter in traditional therapy but something seemed to still be missing for her child. The mother saw a brochure for HHH and enrolled her daughter. It was at Horses Healing Hearts that the little girl was not only around other going through similar incidents, but the Founder of the organization had actually lived through such events during her own childhood. Both mother and daughter now have a strong support system that includes a better family life and a sense of accomplishment in having established a secure environment for both of them. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to see the benefits of Horses Healing Hearts and the positive impact it has on their participants.

I have been volunteering on a weekly basis with Horses Healing Hearts for the past seven years starting only months after the inception of the program. I started at Luckiest By Far Stables in Wellington, FL my first year and since then, I have been at Johnson's Folly Horse Farm in Delray Beach, FL. My starting date was August 15, 2010. I worked beside, Liz Olszewski, the founder of the program, from the beginning. I have seen her devotion and hard work in the program make it what it is today. The format has changed somewhat since then, but basically it's still the same. I worked with many other volunteers, trainers and therapists who have since moved on. We have certainly come a long way since then. It's only within the past couple years that we have had an air conditioned barn for our "circle time" and a place to play and store our games. (We also have an air conditioned trailer with a toilet now.) We operate 12 months of the year. This is Florida. It gets really hot on sunny afternoons. In the early years sometimes we all just squeezed under a gazebo to catch some shade. (The kids love it so much it didn't even phase them.) These children are my heroes. They are so very courageous for what they have lived through in their short lives. Some of them are small in stature buy yet not afraid to get on some of the bigger horses. Of course, we have horses of all sizes and temperaments to accommodate each child.
I have personally witnessed over time such dramatic changes in the personality and behavior of the children. It breaks my heart when some of them stop coming because of family problems which forces them to move in with relatives or go into foster care out of the area.
Sometimes a child doesn't want to ride on a particular day and we let it slide but they still love coming to the barn. They identify with the other children during "circle time" sharing and they love Miss Rhonda. (The therapist, Rhonda Fritzshall, has been with HHH for the past five years.) Recently the children were asked what they like best about HHH and one of the boys, after a long and serious thought process couldn't verbalize, but shyly pointed to Miss Rhonda. The atmosphere at the barn is relaxed (free of family members) so that the children can feel comfortable to say what's on their heart. Over the years I have heard some pretty sad and shocking stories.
Some of the children that have been with the program since its inception have changed drastically. Some are withdrawn, angry, depressed, fearful and antisocial when they first come to the sessions. Each week I can see a positive change in their attitude and a slight improvement in sociability. Sometimes the children don't want to leave after the session is over. They want to stay at the barn. There's a freedom they feel that shows in their relaxed and peaceful attitude. I've seen some children that started at six or seven years old that are now teens and still coming to the program are totally different people today. Some are going to high school now and some are starting college. They talk a lot more, smile a lot more and hug a lot more. Some children get attached to each other and play big brother or big sister to one another. I've seen children come to the session anxious and fidgety and having trouble sitting still. After they ride, it's like someone turned a switch off in them and they're focused, relaxed and able to interact and play games with the other children.
The children love the horses. They all have favorites they prefer to ride. I see them hug, pet and kiss the horses. After they are finished riding they often want to help the trainer by leading the horse while the next rider is getting ready to ride. The people at Johnson's Folly Farm are phenomenal. The experienced trainers are great and the owner, Nongae Johnson, and her daughter, Norma, are extremely supportive of Horses Healing Hearts and have done everything they can to help the children and make the program a success. They are very much in tune to each child's individual needs. Nongae has installed a tent over one of the large rings last year which has made it 15 degrees cooler for the kids when they're riding and, of course, keeps them dry when it rains.
I can't say enough about Horses Healing Hearts. It is a worthwhile and beneficial program and the children will reap the benefits of the experience for the rest of their lives.

Love the program and people there.
Very grateful l was involved.
Kristina

Hello! I'm a parent and I am so thankful to have found this program! My daughter was eight years old when I was struggling with an opiate addiction due to chronic pain issues. My marriage was strained and she was affected as I continually searched for a way to successfully recover, to find pain management without the use of drugs. I heard about Horses healing hearts,and took steps to enroll her immediately. I was so excited, filled with a new hope, that my child could actually get therapy as well, and in such an awesome way,interacting with horses! Well,she is 16 yrs old now, and with the help and encouragement of Liz,Rhonda,and all their volunteer staff over the years, I have watched amazing results for her as well as the other children in the program,healing and growing with a new self confidence, motivation, and respect for themselves and others as they journey towards adulthood. I truly believe watching my daughter has helped me as well, I am thrilled to report being medication-free for five years now! Words cannot express my gratitude, as I watch her go forward in life with a new self-esteem and outlook on life that all kids deserve to have! Thank you HHH! My wish now is that many more children can benefit from this wonderful program !

This is 'one of a kind" program for the children of this fallen world to get some, "pre-covery", tools, and support to break the chains of destructive behaviors and family cycles of addiction and alcoholism.
The open discussion, coupled with the love and complexity of equine activities, JUST WORKS and THIS program is a success.
It is giving back the choice to live free to the kids!
Thank you HHH, for you passion and heart. May GOD continue to use this group for good!

My grandson, Dylan, who is now age 15 in high school has been going to the HHH barn in Delray Beach the past five years. Through the years, he has had a place to share his anxious moments, moves to new schools, greatly improve his relationship with his mother who he lives with, and is now experiencing meeting his dad and trying to form a relationship with him. Thank goodness for HHH, Dylan has always had a place to talk, share, and listen to other kid's experiences, and realize he is not alone.

Dylan truly loves HHH, Rhonda and Liz. This organization is a very important part of his life in so many ways. I am so thankful to Liz who gave Dylan the opportunity to shine when they went to Washington, DC together last year, and Dylan was able to speak in a committee meeting about how HHH helped to teach him how to understand what alcohol and drugs do to a family and why everyone must step up to the plate with legislation. One day he will look back and say, "I can't believe I really did that!"

So kudos to a great organization, fabulous leaders, wonderful volunteers, and those beautiful horses the kids all love soooooo much!