- Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center executes a capital campaign and builds a new facility.
- Organization leadership raises $700,000+ of the total $1,000,000+ needed to complete the project and seeks additional community support.
- Participants return to lessons feeling excited and positively energized by the new facility.
SANTA BARBARA, CA, JANUARY 3, 2022 — Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center recently finished building a new and more efficient facility to continue providing life-changing programs to the Santa Barbara community. The new facility is adjacent to the prior one at 4420 Calle Real in Santa Barbara and shares the same entrance road. The facility includes a main arena, a second smaller arena, round pen, 20 covered horse stalls, two large turnouts, a hay barn, a new Learning Center, and an administration building.
“The new facility improves Hearts’ ability to support numerous special needs communities in Santa Barbara. Our therapeutic programs continue to impact many individuals’ physical and mental health positively,” says Thom Bateman, Board Chairman of Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center. Program manager Kristen Kallai reports, “Parents are impressed with the views of the Santa Barbara mountain backdrop while watching their children ride in our new arena. For riders, the new site signifies a new beginning. For many of our riders, small changes can be overwhelming. But, we were pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming excitement and enthusiasm for this fresh start.”
The new facility also enables Hearts to expand programming with the addition of a second arena. The configuration for the new facility allows for multiple programs to operate simultaneously, which was not possible at the previous location. Hearts aims to grow all programs, with a particular focus on equine-facilitated learning and psychotherapy.
Hearts believe that all people must be given opportunities to reach their full potential, become as independent as possible, and be supported by an informed, sensitive, and respectful community. As Hearts continues to grow and expand its services, community support is critical.
For more information about the capital campaign and how to get involved, please get in touch with development manager DeeDee Conrad: deedee@heartsriding.org.
Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center provides equine-assisted services to inspire, strengthen, and motivate children and adults with disabilities in Santa Barbara County. Since its inception in 1985, Hearts has grown its programs to serve more than 200 individuals each year with the help of 16 specially trained horses. Hearts also has programs serving U.S. Military Veterans and at-risk youth. For more information about its programs, visit www.heartsriding.org or contact info@heartsriding.org.
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