Horses of Hope – Missouri, Inc.

About the Program

Horses of Hope describes its work as therapeutic and educational programs built on the bond between people and horses, with goals such as building trust, reducing anxiety and healing from trauma. The organization publishes one program list for its Kansas and Missouri farms, so ask the Rogersville site which programs it currently runs.

That list includes equine-assisted activities, equine-assisted mental health, "Ride Em'" therapeutic riding, the "Ranch Hand" in-hand program and the "Healthy As A Horse" educational program. Academic programs include a Buddy Reading Program (Horse Powered Reading) and MoJoe's Mighty Magic Math (Horse Powered Math). Horses of Hope also lists nature-based activities (its "Nature of Hope" program), therapeutic music and art activities, and animal-assisted experiences.

The Horses and Staff

Co-founder Michele "Shelly" McColm is executive director of both sites. She holds an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is listed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and Oklahoma. Co-founder Vallerie Oehme is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Dianna Lillard is the Missouri barn manager. The website says its riding instructors are certified or in training through PATH Intl. and that most staff hold Level 1 certification through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). Across its farms, the organization lists horses, ponies and donkeys, along with sheep, goats and therapy dogs.

History

Horses of Hope began in Kansas in 1997. According to its website, Horses of Hope Missouri was founded in 2003 as a sister site on a 20-acre farm in Buffalo, Missouri, and later moved to its current farm in Rogersville.

Location

Horses of Hope Missouri is at 3555 S Farm Rd 253, Rogersville, MO 65742, just east of Springfield. The 40-acre property has pastures and the Hope Grove, a wooded area with oak trees and trails. Phone: (417) 719-5530.