Hope and Healing Academy
Topeka, Kansas
Hope and Healing Academy, Inc. (HAHA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Topeka, Kansas, that offers equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP), mostly through unmounted groundwork rather than riding. It serves children, adolescents and adults, and runs a dedicated program for first responders and members of the armed forces.
- Equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP)
- Barn Buddies experiential therapy for ages 4 to 10
- Equus Bellator program for first responders and military
- Individual and family sessions, typically 60 minutes
- Unmounted groundwork with horses
- Children ages 4 to 12
- Adolescents ages 13 to 17
- Adults 18 and over
- First responders
- Members of the armed forces
- Families
- People dealing with trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, grief or anger
More about this center
About the Program
HAHA says it was founded in October 2014. Sessions are billed as mental health visits and include the client, a horse, a licensed mental health professional and a trained equine instructor, with a volunteer horse handler when necessary. Common concerns listed include trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and anger. This is a form of equine-assisted psychotherapy, not riding instruction.
Barn Buddies is for children ages 4 to 10 and can include sibling and parent sessions plus home or school visits. Equus Bellator serves first responders and members of the armed forces, working on mindfulness, coping skills, body awareness and self-regulation. The website says clients typically spend 12 months in the program, but Equus Bellator can be adjusted, and some clients stay only three months. See also equine therapy for veterans.
The Horses and Staff
The website describes a 30-acre property southwest of Topeka with indoor and outdoor arenas, beginner and advanced sensory trails, a nine-stall barn and eleven therapy horses. Its staff page lists Chris Moran, LSCSW, as Clinical Director, along with three other licensed social workers and program support staff.
Location
Hope and Healing Academy is at 10437 SW 53rd Street, Topeka, KS 66610. Its website lists hours of Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM to 2 PM.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I get started?
Call 785-783-3020. If the program looks like a good fit, staff schedule an intake assessment. Clients are scheduled first come, first served, and wait times depend on therapist availability and insurance.
Does insurance cover sessions?
Sessions are billed as mental health visits. The website lists Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and of Kansas City, Cigna, Healthy Blue, Optum, Medicare, Sunflower (KanCare) and TriCare West, and says it does not accept United Healthcare. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
Can people with limited mobility take part?
No. The FAQ says the facility is not insured or equipped for clients with limited mobility and suggests local therapeutic riding or hippotherapy programs instead.
Location
Topeka, Kansas 66610
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.