Our 5-Day Healing Intensives...
H.O.O.V.E.S. 5-Day Healing Intensives are a unique experience that isn't offered anywhere else in the world.
What makes this program different is the tools we teach based on natural law. When you pair these lessons with the healing power of horses, what you get is a profound and life-changing shift.
Meals, linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. The only things you need to bring are your clothes and any other personal items you wish to have with you. The best part about our Intensives is that they are provided to veterans, first responders, spouses, and caregivers at NO COST!
Due to overwhelming interest, all of our healing intensives for the 2024 season are currently full. However, we would be happy to add you to our waitlist for the 2025 season. Being on the waitlist ensures that you will receive an email with the available dates as soon as they are finalized, shortly after the first of the year. Click on the button below to get on our waitlist.
WHAT YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO...
Choose Your Stay ...
You get to select your lodging experience during your stay. For those looking to connect with nature we have our rustic cabins to camp. If you're looking for a more lodge-like stay, enjoy one of the rooms in the house.
Bonfire ...
During your first night you will have the opportunity to decompress and get acquainted with fellow veterans over a bonfire and s'mores.
Yoga ...
Yoga is offered on Thursday morning. Instructor Sheila Watson will guide you through stretching and relaxation to help with getting present and intention setting. Then on Sunday morning, we will focus on inner strength through warrior poses.
Classroom ...
One of the things that makes H.O.O.V.E.S. Intensives so unique is our custom curriculum created by veteran founder Amanda Held. These 12 exercises will be broken up throughout the four days and paired with equine exercises that will give you a roadmap for healing the past, getting present, and becoming the creator of your future.
Arena Work ...
After spending time learning about the healing process, participants have the opportunity to work through their challenges in the arena with the feedback of our equine partners. You will complete ground exercises such as building a jump to represent a challenge and then getting the horse to go over it. Because how we do one thing is how we do everything, the horses will quickly show you what's not working in your life and our facilitators will help guide you in finding what DOES work!
Pen Crafting ...
Turning a pen is like putting music on vinyl. Operating a lathe puts you in a state of focus and fosters mindfulness while tapping into your creative energy. This is a cathartic experience that provides a somatic release while generating a beautiful pen as a keepsake and reminder of your retreat. Veteran and H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumni, Tim Sixberry, will guide you through the very process he used to help him on his healing journey.
Rage Painting ...
The suppression of stress and anger is weakening to body, mind, and soul. Suppressed anger, when exerted in a safe and structured way, helps you access the healing power of presence and somatic release. Army veteran and H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumni Instructor, Heather Tarolli, will facilitate this fun and stress-relieving process to allow you to release your anger and frustration while creating an awesome piece of artwork.
Essential Oils ...
While some may be hesitant to participate at first, usually by the end of the class everyone is engaged and having a great time! Doterra representative, Karla Gleason, uses a Zytoscan to detect deficiencies in your body and creates a custom oil blend in a roller for each participant to help them feel relaxed and balanced. We have received wonderful feedback on the effects of essential oils on stress, depression, and anxiety.
Meditation ...
Learning to get present and calm your mind is instrumental to the healing process. Army veteran and H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumni, Keith Jones, guides veterans through a simple and basic meditation process that can be used in times of stress to help manage anxiety. Our miniature horses love to help facilitate the meditation process!
Massage ...
Licensed massage therapist and H.O.O.V.E.S. Caregiver Alumni, Stephanie Phillips, provides a massage to help release emotions and stress from the fascia so you can fully experience the emotional release of the healing process.
Chiropractic ...
When you align your mind, it is also important to align your spine! Dr. Michael Hollerbach of Anthony Wayne Community Chiropractic provides a basic chiropractic adjustment to help balance your body and relieve any structural blockages that may prevent healing.
Bee Therapy ...
Veteran and H.O.O.V.E.S. Alumni, "Diamond Dave" Shelton is our apiarist or beekeeper and provides an alternative type of therapy in our program. There is so much to learn from these often misunderstood creatures. Listening to their constant humming as they go about their work is calming and enjoyable.
The Round Pen ...
On the last day of the program, you will craft your new Mission/Vision for life. Then, you will select the horse you connected most with during the program and take them into the round pen. Next, you will read your mission statement with the objective of getting the horse to connect with you and follow you a full lap around the pen. This will test your confidence, and let us know if there are any more adjustments that need to be made.
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Graduation ...
At the end of the retreat, a graduation ceremony is held where you will be presented with a certificate of completion and a challenge coin. Family and friends are welcome to join you in celebrating this amazing accomplishment and enjoy a special dinner.
Mentor Program ...
You will continuously hear us say, "The work is always simple but never easy." That's why we work hard to ensure your success with the mentor program. Change can take time, and we want to be here to support you every step of the way. All of our H.O.O.V.E.S. mentors are alumni who have been and achieved success with this work and now want to give back. Every H.O.O.V.E.S. participant has the opportunity to become a mentor after completing one year in the program.
JOIN US FOR OUR GRADUATIONS...
Did you know that you can uplift our Graduates with a couple of hours of your time?
That's right! Attending a Healing Intensive Graduation is especially vital for graduates who are from out-of-state and unable to have family members present.
The presence of others at the graduation fosters a sense of belonging and recognition, reinforcing the progress they've made and the strength they've gained through the program.
Witnessing these transformations firsthand is not only deeply moving but also incredibly inspirational for those who attend. It reaffirms the impact of the work being done and strengthens our commitment to helping others on their path to healing.
Oh, and did we mention the tasty Taco Bar dinner afterwards? Uh-huh!
