HWH 2023 Belmont Jewel

Mission Statement

Horses with Hope emphasizes ability rather than disability, improving the lives of children, youth, and adults each participant is encouraged to reach their full potential, assisting them to reach beyond their abilities, allowing daily success and milestones to be accomplished by the partnership developed by horse and rider.

About Horses with Hope

Horses with Hope is a 501c3 Discovery, Growth, and Learning Center serving two locations: Brush Run Road in Bethel Park and the historic Gilfillan Farm in Upper St. Clair. Horses with Hope has been offering equine-assisted activities to children, youth, and adults with special needs since its' inception in 2007. Horses with Hope serves an underserved and often overlooked population--children and adults living with disabilities, and their families, youth-at-risk, and victims of abuse are just a few of them. Horses with Hope offers Therapeutic Riding - for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Sessions are provided by PATH Intl Certified Instructors who teach the rider with a disability to control the horse using basic riding skills. It provides a multi-sensory experience emphasizing control, attention and focus, sensory management, and communication (verbal and/or non-verbal). They also offer Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) - Experiential learning activities that help develop an atmosphere of acceptance in which students/individuals with and without disabilities are willing to take risks, share, discuss, and even problem-solve together. Participants can improve their behavior and self-concept while learning valuable skills that promote success in the classroom and at home. Some of the groups that may benefit are at-risk youth, victims of abuse, bullying, mental health among others - which promotes learning opportunities and encourage personal growth and development in both youth and adults.