• is a registered not-for profit 501c3 organization, incorporated in February 2001
• provides children with financial needs the opportunity to receive physical, occupational, speech, and psycho-social therapy from certified licensed therapists who utilize trained horses as therapy partners in the therapy process.
• works to educate the general public through lectures, newsletters, workshops, and other similar activities of the medical benefits of nature and equine assisted therapy on a child's human learning and development, psycho-social health, and overall well-being.
• provides scholarships to children with psycho-social, physical, or mental disabilities who, because of lack of adequate financial resources, are unable to take advantage of the opportunities and medical benefits provided through equine assisted therapy.
• sponsors Meara's Garden, a memorial community garden that offers therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities. The design and plantings were chosen to attract wildlife and stimulate the senses in a relaxed country setting. Photos...

WHAT: HBHB provides scholarships for children to participate in therapy programs suited to their special needs.

• Hippotherapy is conducted by licensed/certified occupational, physical, and/or speech therapists who use movement of the horse as a therapeutic tool to achieve client-specific, pre-determied therapy goals. The goals of classic hippotherapy are to improve the clients posture, balance, mobility and function. Therapists achieve results through various activities and by varying the movement of the horse and the client's position.
• Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) involves simple ground activities with a horse that are designed to assist clients in self-discovery and healing. In EAP, equine activities and experiences expose the client and therapist to the essence of the challenges the client faces. Clients uncover their thoughts, and responses to life, including their natural coping and defense strategies. EAP is co-lead by a licensed, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and a horse professional.
• Therapeutic riding is geared for those who want to learn equestrian skills but need special attention to their unique needs. Classes are taught by a NARHA registered therapeutic riding instructor.
• Horticulture therapy introduces clients to the wonders of the garden while working on language development, social interaction, and motor skills.
• Friendship Connection allows youth to work on many social skills such as relationship building, empathy, conflict resolution, communication, respect, impulse control, and more. Groups are formed by age and co-lead by an Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and a horse professional.

HBHB sponsors Super Sibs at the Farm. This program brings together siblings of children with special needs. Through mostly ground work activities with horse "families" , they will learn to recognize and celebrate the unique qualities of their family as well as identify and express their own needs and feelings. Photos...

HBHB assists community programs by helping to finance field trips to Blazing Prairie Stars for participants of youth grief programs as well as residents of specialized facilities such as pediatric nursing homes and senior residences.

HOW

HBHB is entirely funded by charitable donations from businesses, organizations, and individuals of the community. The organization holds a variety of fundraising events throughout the year.

WHERE

To date, programs supported by HBHB have been hosted at Blazing Prairie Stars (BPS), an equine assisted therapy facility in Maple Park, Illinois. Meara's Garden is also located on land leased from and adjacent to the facility. The official purpose of BPS is "to connect people, animals and nature for the purposes of healing, rehabilitation, new skill development, and a communal sense of purpose". HBHB has a contractual agreement with BPS for the use of office facilities, meeting space, equipment, and garden space.

Please visit http://www.hbhb.org for more information.