Imagine a place of acceptance and hope.
We serve children ages 7-17 who are facing adversity due to depression, anxiety or other emotional trauma. Many of them are growing up in homes with parental addiction.
One fourth of our children are being raised by a family member because their parent is either deceased or no longer able to care for them. A safe space where children meet others who struggle with the same life experiences.
A retreat where they ride horses, laugh, and share feelings they’ve had to hide. No more secrets, shame or embarrassment. They learn life coping skills from mentors who have survived growing up like them.
Sometimes these volunteers teach ways to get through it. Other times they just listen. For the first time, the kids feel accepted, hopeful and empowered.
Horses Healing Hearts was founded in 2009 by Lizabeth Olszewski. As a child of alcoholic parents, Liz was eventually 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 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 session at our facility in Delray Beach, they learn life skills such as decision making, safe people, communication and healthy ways to express feelings