Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, founded in 2009 and listed by its website as a PATH Intl. Member Center. It offers trauma-informed, unmounted equine-assisted services, including Horses for Heroes, a free program for military veterans and first responders living with post-traumatic stress.
- Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes (8-week group program)
- Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP), limited
- Unmounted, ground-based horsemanship
- Natural Lifemanship-based approach
- Military veterans
- First responders
- Adults (TF-EAP)
- People with post-traumatic stress
More about this center
About the Program
Wild Hearts says its mission is to transform the lives of participants, their families and all who work with it through horsemanship. Sessions are unmounted, need no prior horse experience and follow Natural Lifemanship principles, which the center describes as a trauma-informed approach based on the science of relationships.
Horses for Heroes is an eight-week course for groups of up to six, facilitated by an equine professional and a licensed mental health counselor. The center also describes limited individual equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions for adults (TF-EAP), facilitated the same way. Availability has varied by year, so check the website for current schedules.
The Horses and Staff
Julie Lovely founded Wild Hearts in 2009 and serves as executive director and equine professional. Her staff bio lists PATH Intl. ESMHL and CTRI credentials and Natural Lifemanship Level 1 and 2 training. Keri-Ann Wagner is listed as the licensed mental health counselor. The staff page says Horses for Heroes began in 2014.
Location
Wild Hearts uses a mailing address of P.O. Box 314, West Bridgewater, MA 02379. Its contact page says visits are by appointment only.
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 veterans and first responders apply to Horses for Heroes?
Fill out the application on the Wild Hearts website and email it to jlovely@wildheartstherapeutic.org, text it to 508-565-8752 or mail it to the P.O. Box. The website says spots go in the order applications arrive and lists current dates and deadlines.
What does it cost?
The website says Horses for Heroes is free for veterans and first responders. TF-EAP is a paid service; the website lists current fees and says insurance is not accepted. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
Do I need horse experience or have to ride?
No. The website says sessions are entirely unmounted and no prior horse experience is required.
How do I contact Wild Hearts?
Call 508-565-8752 or email info@wildheartstherapeutic.org.
Location
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02379
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.