Better Days Ahead

My goal is to combine my passion for horses and love of helping people to create an integrated program that will help those experiencing psychological (and even physical) suffering. Not only will the program expose individuals to the amazing animals through equine therapy but it will also include a program to teach individuals (including youth) about work around the farm including raising and caring for animals, learning how to garden, shearing alpacas and so many more activities to allow the connection between the individual and their environment to be re-forged.

Aside from the integrated aspect of the program, now that I have graduated with a bachelor's in psychology and am in training as a therapeutic riding instructor through PATH Intl., once my program (Better Days Therapeutic Riding Program) opens it's doors, I will be conducting equine therapy sessions with those experiencing various forms of psychological suffering or trauma from veterans with PTSD, children with autism, victims of domestic violence, those suffering from depression and anxiety, and the list will go on. I will also be putting a focus on at-risk youth, and providing summer camps for them to get them outdoors working on the activities, and away from media.

I will start this program and carry it to it's full potential in a multi-phase process. This first fundraiser marks the beginning- Phase 1. Now that I have graduated, my next step is to purchase the property that my program will be launched on. I have started this particular campaign to raise adequate money for the down-payment of the property and closing fees on the land. This, I am hoping to accomplish by the end of summer. $30,000

Phase 2- This will include putting in driveways/parking lot, making the round pen permanent with perfect footing for sessions, and excavation work around the immediate area. Hoping to finish this phase by next summer. $75,000

Phase 3- The third phase will consist of excavation to create a drainage system around the horse pastures, making the horse paddocks of gravel around new run in sheds for mud season, and permanent fencing for the rest of the pastures. This will hopefully be accomplished by the end of next year. $80,000

Phase 4- The final phase will consist of putting up a new horse barn and indoor arena. This will hopefully be accomplished within the next 5 years. No estimate completed.