Champ's Heart is an equine-based ministry [located near Idaho Falls] that offers children and veternas with limited abilities, and their families, an opportuinity to experence well-being and happiness in a safe, reliable, and welcoming environment. Champ's Heart welcomes veterans with unique needs both seen and unseen to a weekly hour horse encounter. This includes brushing, leading, and riding at no cost.
Eric's story; Eric is a veteran that had a stroke. He unfortunately needs a wheelchair because the left side of his body and both legs are paralyzed. Eric is 6'3' and weighs 220. We remove Eric from his wheelchair with an electric winch and raise him 7 feet in the air and then bring a horse equipped with an Independence Saddle under him, and set him down. We then add the saddle's attachments and he can enjoy a ride. This is what Eric wrote to Champ's Heart supporters. "Hi my name is Eric Gilbert. I just wanted to take a second and thank you. You’ve made a huge impact on many lives. I thought I was going to have this depression for the rest of my life but it’s totally gone now, not better but completely gone, and I have only been with Champ’s Heart since April.
I’ve had my depression since my stroke in 2001. The way it was explained to me is that my stroke left me with a really bad imbalance of chemicals to regulate my emotions. I’ve tried just about everything to help it but nothing worked until I found Champ’s Heart.
Every time a child smiles out there[which happens quite often] just know that you helped facilitate that. I can’t thank you enough for the change that you’ve made in my life. The quality of my life has improved so much because of you.”
“Hi Nikki my name is Eric Gilbert. I just wanted to take a second and thank you. You’ve made a huge impact on many lives. I thought I was going to have this depression for the rest of my life but it’s totally gone now, not better but completely gone, and I have only been with Champ’s Heart since April.
I’ve had my depression since my stroke in 2001. The way it was explained to me is that my stroke left me with a really bad imbalance of chemicals to regulate my emotions. I’ve tried just about everything to help it but nothing worked until I found Champ’s Heart.
Every time a child smiles out there[which happens quite often] just know that you helped facilitate that. I can’t thank you enough for the change that you’ve made in my life. The quality of my life has improved so much because of you.”
As a volunteer working with guests like Eric and the other 70-80 guests per week, I routinely see the miraculous healing power of horses, the smiles and laughter of our guests, and the tears of gratitude from the mothers. I definitely receive more than I give!
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- EIN 26-1401715
- (208) 440-3939
- 10671 W Southerland St Boise ID 83709-2367 USA
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Military & Veterans Organizations, Veterans
Mission: Idaho veterans network is a group who advocates, shares information, solves problems for veterans and their families in crisis, and supports each other. This is a place of trust. We are strictly a non-profit volunteer organization with a large support network of friends who assist veterans. Our members are from all branches of service with the majority being oef/oif.
Programs: Idaho veterans network is a group who advocates, shares information, solves problems for veterans and their families in crisis, and supports each other. We help provide for the health and well-being of veterans in need.