About Our Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs
One Child. One Horse. One Day at a Time.
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Our Story
Horses Healing Hearts was founded in 2009 by Lizabeth Olszewski. As a child of alcoholic parents, Liz was eventually taken in and raised by a loving aunt who changed her life forever. Her unique story of a horse, mentorship and healthy emotional support became the inspiration for the programs we provide today.
From the beginning, Horses Healing Hearts has helped at-risk youth in South Florida through the magnificence of the human and horse relationship. Kids facing adversity gain the confidence and coping skills needed to overcome their trauma.
During each 2-hour equine therapy session at our facility in Delray Beach, Florida, children learn life skills such as decision making, safe people, communication and healthy ways to express feelings.
Grief & Trauma
They can make young people feel isolated, putting them at a higher risk for depression, substance use, leaving school and even suicide. In the U.S. we continue to witness traumatic incidents due to COVID-19, gun violence and a staggering 30% increase in overdose deaths. These recent events have only intensified feelings of hopelessness and isolation, increasing the number of families, educators and mental health professionals reaching out for support.
Horses Healing Hearts is here to help, offering youth addiction prevention, grief support and mental health resources at low cost — or even no cost — to families. Financial assistance need is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
About Our Equine Assisted Therapy Programs
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
CHILDRENS' PREVENTION
PROGRAM
This program helps children impacted by parental addiction through peer groups, horses and an evidence-based curriculum.
MENTOR
PROGRAM
Participants have a chance to spend time with an eligible high school or college students to build healthy and long-lasting relationships.
YOUTH
EMOTIONAL HEALING
ADULT PROGRAMS
EQUINE THERAPY
INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) incorporates horses experientially for mental and behavioral health therapy and personal development.
EQUINE THERAPY
RECOVERY / TREATMENT
Recovery clients are many times disconnected with their feeling and their physical body as a result of childhood or recent trauma.
LEAD: EQUINE-ASSISTED
DEVELOPMENT FOR BUSINESSES
LEAD provides business teams an opportunity to improve teamwork, communication, and problem-resolution skills by interacting with horses.
Take a Look Inside
Meet Liz Olszewski,
Founder & Executive Director
Having grown up with alcoholic parents, Liz understands the deep-seeded trauma associated with the impact of substance abuse on children & families.
Since a very young age, Liz has wanted to help other people with their struggles of growing up under the thumbs of addicted parents. She has dedicated her life to creating this one-of-a kind South Florida equine assisted therapy program, paying forward the healing that she experienced through horses and mentors.
Watch On YouTube
Liz Olszewski testifies to Congress on behalf of
children of parental addiction.
A unique combination of horses and mentorship.
Through peer-to-peer support groups led by trained equine assisted therapy professionals, children learn life coping skills enabling them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives, free from drugs and alcohol. Children learn they are not alone, that their parents’ disease is not their fault, and there are safe people who love them. Connecting with the horses is scientifically proven to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Horses Healing Hearts’ one-of-a kind horse therapy programs provide an environment of connection, hope and empowerment.
Our Programs
Why horses?
Being prey animals, horses…
- Read people objectively, and are constantly aware of their surroundings.
- Are uniquely equipped to connect with
individuals who are authentic with their feelings. - Are masters at reading body language and
being “present in their bodies,” which makes
them excellent teachers for us to do the same. - Do not judge. They don’t care about the clothes
you wear or the car you drive. Their only concern
is, “Am I safe with you?” - Have been scientifically proven to reduce the
cortisol levels of those who spend time in their
presence, caring and working with them.
(Washington State University- Cortisol Study)
Our success formula.
HHH exists to give a model of healthy people, communication, thinking and problem resolution. These safe people, animals and safe place teach children what healthy and happy looks like. They have mentors, so they don’t take the same path in life as their parents.
Children learn:
- communication tools to advocate for themselves
- how to find safe people and healthy mentors
- how to have healthy boundaries
- the benefits and importance of self-care and mindfulness
Dollars Raised
Since 2009 through current day, donations from generous people like you have helped provide this unique program.
HOURS OF PREVENTION EDUCATION
Our 2 hour weekly sessions have taught children coping skills that have saved lives.
Families Helped
Through the Children’s Prevention Program and the Recovery Treatment Center Equine Therapy Program.
ADULTS IN RECOVERY
Since 2014, Horses Healing Hearts has proudly served adults who struggle with substance use disorder.
Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
Your Donations Make a Huge Impact
EXPENSE SUMMARIES
2015
- Our Programs 69%
- Fundraising 25%
- ADMINISTRATION 7%
2017
- Our Programs 81%
- Fundraising 6%
- ADMINISTRATION 13%
2020
- Our Programs 87.95%
- Fundraising 2.67%
- ADMINISTRATION 9.38%
2022
- Our Programs 86.2%
- Fundraising 4.6%
- Administration 9.2%