A message to our Horse & Human Research Foundation supporters

Posted by admin
On December 7, 2022
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Dear Cherished Supporter of HHRF,

Please keep reading!

This time of year, many nonprofits send “annual letters” seeking monetary support. I personally receive many letters of requests and often they end up in a pile for consideration. I pondered how HHRF’s letter could stand out so it would not end up in your “pile” and decided to be straightforward and transparent as to why we need your support.

RESEARCH: HHRF has been a “virtual” organization since its inception in 2005. Funds are never spent on rent, brick and mortar, elaborate salaries, or extravagances. We operate on a lean budget to focus our resources on educating about benefits of the horse-human interaction and support research to find out “how” and “why” the interaction is so successful. Quality RESEARCH is our top priority! We provide annual research grants through a rigorous application process. In 2022, on the recommendation of the HHRF Scientific Advisory Council, the Board of Directors made the determination not to award a grant. I love that the organization sticks to its core values of maintaining quality research. Our board of directors decided to follow a different approach in 2023, offering a new additional innovative grant opportunity and increasing the dollar amount for the annual grant. In challenging times, it is necessary to increase the monetary amounts of grants to foster quality research projects.

EDUCATE: In 2022, we held our 2nd annual conference at Fieldstone Farm in Chagrin Falls bringing together researchers and practitioners to discuss past, current and future research opportunities. We are fortunate to have great sponsors like Zoetis who believe in our mission and enable HHRF to keep conferences affordable. Additional sponsors, Schneider’s, Trafalgar Square Books, and Straight Arrow exhibitor’s, provided gifts for attendees. We offer great topics in our monthly Webinar Wednesday program free of charge. Conference sessions and the Webinars are available on HHRF’s YouTube channel to EXPAND research information and EDUCATE the public.

COLLABORATION: Organizations like The Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International AISBL (HETI), Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl (PATH Intl.), American Horse Council (AHC), Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), and Brooke USA, to name a few, help us broaden our reach across the globe. HHRF was also a premier partner in the “Seen Through Horses Campaign” advocating horses for mental health.

EXPAND: We received a restricted gift to improve our marketing materials and we rebranded with a new logo to better represent the exciting work we do. Our focus is to help expand our programs, increase outreach through personal conversations, and present at conferences, events, and trade shows. If you would like me to speak about HHRF at your event, please contact me at exec.director@horsesandhumans.org.

YOU Make a Difference! Interaction between horses and humans makes a difference in lives as demonstrated by this story (names changed to protect the identity of the participant).

As Tumbleweed walked into the arena, everyone watched as a huge smile crossed Amy’s face. “Her” pony was coming to take her on a journey where her body could move along with Tumbleweed’s rhythmic gait. It wasn’t always this way and the change in Amy was palpable. Over time she blossomed from being apprehensive to confident. She became motivated to learn new skills such as signaling her pony to turn. All her volunteers remember with amazement the first time Amy whispered to Tumbelweed – “walk on.” You can almost see the satisfaction on Tumbleweed’s muzzle as he acknowledges his significance in helping make a difference in a child’s life.

That is what Horses and Humans Research Foundation is all about… making differences.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW to help HHRF facilitate research, educate, collaborate, and expand work in horse and human interactions. Your continued support is critical to continue the momentum, support our future endeavors, and share information far and wide! Make your check out to HHRF and send it to: PO Box 23367, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022, click below on the donate button, or visit our website www.horsesandhumans.org and make a secure online donation through PayPal today!

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond!

Gratefully,

Dr. Pebbles Turbeville
HHRF Executive Director