My Nonprofit Reviews

This charity rescues and rehabilitates horses in the West Virginia and Kentucky areas. It is inspirational in its care for, and ability to successfully rehabilitate horses that come to it starving, neglected and often abused. They campaign for better education of law enforcement and owners and they are generous with their aid to owners who have fallen on hard times but who are doing their very best for the welfare of their animals. They take the most difficult cases and either achieve miracles for the horses or they do the hardest thing and end horses' suffering while loving them until the moment that the pain is over. They don't keep horses alive for their own sakes, they do what is best for the horse, even if that is the hardest, saddest thing to do. They are also willing to take risks when they think there could be the glimmer of a happy ending as with Margarita a gorgeous foal who broke her leg. It was looking bad, but because they have cultivated such good relationships with amazing vets, there was a chance that Margarita could heal so they raised money, gave her a shot and now she is a beautiful, spirited yearling. This year they have set up a wonderful competition called The Appalachian Trainer Face Off. Eight of their horses were given to participating trainers who signed on to train their horse for 100 days and then to compete with them at the end of that time. The plan was that all 8 horses would be available to be bid on b y approved potential adopters. One horse has proved very fearful so rather than rushing him to be competition ready, the trainer is working patiently to see how far she can take him. All trainers are volunteers and the work they have done with the 8 horses is nothing short of inspirational. I find it impossible to root for one team because I am so in awe of each horse's journey. They have adopted this competition format as a way to promote the horses they have, to get them the best training and to educate people about the value in adopting rescued horses rather than shopping for them. Tinia Creamer is the founder of HOP and I can't believe how much she does to make this rescue flourish on top of running a farm. She has a wonderful crew of volunteers who also make such a difference to these horses: always ready at short notice to go where they are wanted to help another horse in need. This is a shining example of what an excellent rescue organisation is!

I have been watching this group for about a year now and I am blown away by the dedication of the team that is HOP. They always go far beyond the call of duty and often beyond what seems even possible when a horse needs them. Their success with the skeletal horses they have saved is next to none as is their success with horses whose mental equilibrium has been damaged and I find those stories truly inspirational. I am also impressed by their ability to make the hard choices when they are best for the horse. I admire their philosophy because it is often easier to do what's best for us which may well prolong the horse's suffering; HOP looks that situation straight in the face and puts the horse first and foremost. I shed many tears reading those posts but I support their humaneness. This group makes me wish I lived in their area so that I could do more for them than be a monthly contributor!

I have done multiple workshops with Shakespeare & Company and they have all benefitted me as a teacher, an actor and a human being. I think it is their extraordinary humane approach to Shakespeare and the art of sharing his words that sets them apart as trainers and mentors. I don't think my acting or my teaching would be what they are today if I hadn't been opened up as a human being by Shakes & Co. It is their focus on an artist's humanity that encourages a deeper ability to connect to an audience and to give them a richer experience of Shakespeare - and any writer - because actors trained by Shakes & Co reveal more on stage.

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