Wednesday night’s event was held to thank supporters for their contributions and give them an insight into the unique service’s operations and the facility itself.

Acting manager and counsellor Jack O’Sullivan said there was a difference between talking about it and seeing it.

While he’s been with Horses for Hope for three years, he said he was still in awe of it.

“I’m astounded by the level of innovation in little old Mooroopna North,” he said.

“It punches above its weight with both the service and doing what we talk about doing.”

He used three keywords to describe the service: respect, collaboration and hope.

Each can be applied to participants, horses, staff and supporters.

ABC told a story about our flood recovery response and expansion plans for Horses for Hope in 2023.

Mental wellness is a priority for most people, and a program in Shepparton is bringing hope to those who need it the most through animal companionship.

THROUGH the use of ground-breaking Equine Assisted Narrative Therapy (EANT), Horses for Hope utilises the connection between both horses and humans to heal and improve each other’s lives in a safe and therapeutic environment.

Developed in 2004, the program is situated on a 25-acre oasis just outside of Shepparton, with sprawling outback fields. Participants aged three and up can come through and connect with their partnered horse, working through some of their challenges with the supportive and highly trained counsellors and horse practitioners.

Queenie looks to her handler Jade Bradley for comfort during their sessions together.(ABC Shepparton: Georgie Caroll)

The Shepparton Adviser - By Editor November 23,2022

SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE…Vision Radiology is proud to support Horse for Hope, who run a program of narrative-based, equine assisted therapy to those in need. Colin Emmerson launched HFH in 2004 to offer an alternative to traditional counselling. Kristy Thomas, sonographer at Vision Radiology, is pictured with ‘Peanut’ the pony. Photo: Supplied

Shepparton News - Story: Georgia Rossiter 11 August 2022

TROUBLED HORSES AND TROUBLED HUMANS ARE HELPING EACH OTHER THROUGH A UNIQUE FORM OF THERAPY. THE PROGRAM IS MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO CHILDREN AND THE ANIMALS THEY BOND WITH.

“Equine-assisted therapy that helps the horses as much as the humans. Now THAT is a stroke of genius! And it’s exactly what Horses For Hope does. This charity based in regional Victoria, Australia uses a unique herd of horses in a nature-based therapy program in which participants work to heal the horses’ psychological trauma as well as their own”.

The Age

“Saddled with anxiety: how Horses for Hope is helping damaged equines and people heal one another”

By John Elder

March 6, 2015

While hundreds of thoroughbreds will pound the turf at racetracks across Victoria this Easter long weekend, Horses For Hope will be putting a couple of former gallopers to work in a completely different setting.