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The Hoofs of Love Program

The Hoofs of Love Program is a collaboration between Dr. Ana Lopez-Dawson of Guardian Angel, Deb Hoyt of Healing Hearts with Horses and Kelly & Peter Decious of Strides.

This collaborative effort will focus on raising money and awareness for the above mentioned programs; by treating children and teens suffering from emotional problems and disorders, through the interactivity and care of the Equine.

Deb Hoyt’s program provides services for youths that are experiencing emotional and behavioral problems. Many are out of home placements and have a history of abuse and mental health disorders. Dr. Ana Lopez-Dawson will be providing the psychotherapy portion of the services; with Deb Hoyt in the capacity of Horse Assistant.

Equine-assisted Psychotherapy programs help with the following:

Hoofs of Love Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs
  • Children and teens with a history of abuse benefit from learning about relationships by interacting and caring for the horses in our program.
  • At risk youth learn about appropriate social interactions, trust, negotiating differences, and relationship-related matters.
  • The participating children and teens learn how to negotiate differences and work together as part of a group for the better good.
    • I will be attending a certification program in mid September and as such, will become a certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapy provider. Then, during the next 6 months, I will directly provide the services with Deb Hoyt, with the ultimate goal of obtaining grants and corporate donations to have hire other Therapists to provide these needed services.
    Dr. Ana Lopez-Dawson

    Dr. Ana Lopez-Dawson will also be assisting Kelly Decious of the Strides Program; whose services are geared to treating children who have developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy. She is particularly interested in helping children with Autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Through Guardian Angel, Dr. Lopez will raise money via grants and corporate donations to allow children and teens to benefit from the services of the Strides Program.



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