Hannah's Horseshoes of Hope
Who We Are
Hannah's Horseshoes of Hope, HHH, is a horseback riding program serving the Red River Region including Grayson, Lamar, Fannin and surrounding counties and Southern Oklahoma. The founder of Hannah's Horseshoes is Janice Mills, whose vision and ours is to provide therapeutic horsemanship and other equine-assisted activities to benefit children and adults with physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities as an alternative to other therapies. Mr. & Mrs. Mills' granddaughter, Hannah Sue-daughter of Steven and Joleen Mills, was born with Down's Syndrome-one of the many conditions that can be positively impacted with therapeutic riding. Out hope is to make a positive contribution to her life and the lives of others.
Hannah's Horseshoes of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program and a member of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Assn.) with instructors certified to teach riding therapy. Hannah's Horseshoes of Hope Vision Statement: Our purpose and vision is to provide the opportunity for persons with disabilities to experience the therapeutic benefits and enjoyment provided by horseback riding. We strive to touch our student's minds, bodies and souls in a creative and nurturing environment
How It Works
~ Physical - The rhythm of the horse moves the student's body in a way similar to the human gaits, thereby improving gross and fine motor skills, balance, muscle control, posture, flexibility, and coordination. Riding can also provide cardiovascular benefits by raising the rider's heart rate.
~ Mental - Time in the saddle can increase the student's concentration, help the rider to articulate emotions, and can develop a student's sense of spatial awareness.
~ Emotions - Equitherapy provides an opportunity for each student to bond with the horse, instructors, and volunteers, establishing trust. This can be effective in calming emotive outbursts and reinforcing appropriate behavior. By establishing a noncompetitive setting in which to learn something new, self-confidence is often greatly improved.
~ Social - Disabled riders can begin to experience independence, often for the first time in their lives. They become part of a team, developing skills in a recognized sport, and the resulting self-esteem and pride of accomplishment are things they can take back into their own worlds.
Who It Can Help
The types of disabilities and conditions that can benefit from equine-assisted activities include: amputation, attention deficit disorder, autism, cerebral palsy, closed head injury, developmental delay, Down's syndrome, emotional disorders, hearing impairment, mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, paralysis, scoliosis, spina bifida, stroke, traumatic brain injury, vision impairment.
Mission Statement
Hannah's Horseshoes of Hope, HHH, is a nonprofit program
which provides therapeutic horsemanship and other equine-assisted
activities to benefit children & adults
with physical, mental, emotional and learning disabilities.
Directions
HHH is located off Hwy. 82, three miles east of Bonham.
Head south on CR 2935, approximately one mile.
1553 CR 2905, Dodd City, Texas 75438
Mailing Address
Hannah's Horseshoes of Hope
P.O. Box 574
Bonham, Texas 75418
Ph: 903.640.9106 Fax: 903.583.9389
CONTACTS
STUDENT COORDINATORS:
Cindy Mahoney ~ 903.664.2002 Email: 122891@earthlink.net
OFFICE MANAGER:
Krista Aguilar ~ 214.681.1306 Email: kristajoy_mission@hotmail.com
DIRECTOR:
Janice Mills, Founder/ED ~ 903.664.3062 Email: jcmills@hughs.net