EQUINE WELFARE NETWORK PROFILE
Horses & Heroes Inc

http://www.HorsesandHeroes.org




Horses & Heroes Inc
16740 McIntyre Rd
LEAVENWORTH, KS 66048

Mailing Address:
16740 McIntyre Rd
LEAVENWORTH, KS 66048


Phone: 913-220-6794  MAKE AN INQUIRY

View our WEBSITE

EIN: 47-2064760
Founded: 2014

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Profile Last Updated October 30, 2023

Public Charity



MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
The mission of Horses & Heroes is to provide the dynamic healing and learning benefits of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)and alternative therapies to military, first responders and their families at no cost. All therapeutic programs are facilitated by state-licensed counselors and Certified EAGALA Equine Specialists. Our vision is the be the Midwest's Premier Equine Counseling Center.

Our organization conducts Equine Assisted Services in accordance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS).
Our organization provides community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
Our organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in our programs.
100% of our total programs and services are equine-related.

Our organization does not CURRENTLY use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities.


Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
Our organization provides the following Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
    Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)
    Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

     1. Andi Metcalf

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         LSW, KS and MO EAGALA


     2. Kiara Ohle

         FACILITY PARTICIPATION:

         RELATIONSHIP: Independent Contractor

         SERVICES PROVIDED:

         Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (Mental Health)

         Equine-Assisted Learning involving Personal and/or Professional Development

         DEGREES, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

         LSW, KS and MO Epona, EAGALA



Overview of our programs involved with providing EAS to individuals with special needs:
     We offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy(EAP) to individuals and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)to couples and groups. Horses & Heroes is 1 of more than 700 certified EAGALA programs located worldwide.
     
     Horses & Heroes provides trauma-recovery programs designed and dedicated to the health and recovery for horses and humans. The genesis of Horses & Heroes was derived from the experience of rescuing traumatized horses. Through the recovery and rehabilitation process we discovered the powerful healing and learning benefits of mutual respect, empathy and the powerful positive benefits of allowing time and space for recovery to happen. Our goal is to be a place where healing can happen both physically and emotionally at the cellular level for both horse and human. Program emphasis is around integrative health, optimizing the health of cells so the body has the capacity to heal. These programs include but are not limited to:
     
     EquiLateral - Equine Assisted EMDR
     Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
     Corrective Massage
     Pulse Electro Magnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
     Counseling
     Coaching
     HeartMath Coherence
     
     The horses we have on our therapy team have either been rescued or donated because of lameness issues. The rescued horses were from scenarios of abuse, neglect or directly from kill-pens. They are assessed, quarantined, and then integrated into the program. Because of their past, their stories become powerful metaphors for our clients.


Community Outreach and/or Public Education:
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     Minis of Valor - Partner with local police departments to help foster improved relations with the community.
     
     Mini Therapy Horse visits - Mini horses are transported to nursing homes, homeless shelters, military events and community events such as parades and open houses to educate on the healing benefits of equine assisted therapies
     
     Healing Horses & Heroes - Utilize our connections with judicial organizations that send volunteers to our program to complete community hours and military veterans to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of neglected or traumatized horses
     
     Peer Support Group EAL - Local police, fire, and government agencies send team trainers to H&H for Critical Incident Processing, and Peer Support trainings.

Research/Medical Use of Equines:
Our organization has never made, and would not ever consider making, equines available for research studies or medical training that involves invasive procedures and/or that which may cause pain or suffering to the equine. 

Religious Affiliation:
Our organization does not promote religious education, religious purposes, or a specific religious faith or use donations for religious education or religious purposes; require participants to be of a certain faith; require participation in religious, instruction, activities or services; or require participation in prayer, worship, religious instruction or other religious activities as a condition of receiving social or secular services offered. 

Auction Donation:
Our organization has never allowed, or would not consider allowing, an equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that would cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter. 


POLICIES: ACQUISITION


Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Donation  
    Purchase from Owner  
    Kill pen/Feedlot  
    Surrender  

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Lease  
    Auction  
    Return  
    Seizure  
    Abandonment  

Our organization will accept the following:
    Geldings
    Mares
    Pregnant Mares
    Foals

Not Checked:
    Stallions
    Only Stallions to be castrated

POLICIES: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAININING

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization requires the following with respect to the health status of the horse:
    A current Coggins
    Vaccination records that have been administered within the last 12 months
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, the owner is responsible for having vaccinations administered.
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations
Not Checked:
    A health certificate signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than seven days prior to arrival is provided to our organization either prior to or upon arrival of the equine attesting to the health status of the equine

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization has the following policies in place:
    The owner of a potential equine is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the equine
    The equine is evaluated at its place of residence
    The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
    Equines are not taken on trial
Not Checked:
    The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization

Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival
    A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
    Physical examination by trained barn staff
    Photographs are taken of each equine upon arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Vaccinations
    De-worming
Not Checked:
    Coggins test
    Blood work other than Coggins
    Fecal test
    The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
    The equine is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip

Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
    The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine at the facility for a prescribed period of time
    The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine off-site for a prescribed period of time
Not Checked:
    The equine is not quarantined

The typical length of quarantine is:   More than 30 days

Horses are assessed for following skills and behaviors:
    Retrieval from a pasture/paddock
    Leading with a halter and lead rope
    Temperament, disposition and attitude, such as rated from very calm to very high spirited
    Loading onto and unloading off a trailer
    Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
    Grooming
    Bathing
    Clipping
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time
Not Checked:
    Saddling
    Bridling
    Lunging
    Mounting and dismounting
    Riding at the walk
    Riding at the trot
    Riding at the canter
    Riding by a beginner and/or unbalanced rider
    Jumping
    Driving (Pulling a carriage)

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
    Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually
    The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually
    Photographs are taken of each equine annually and kept with the equine's health records
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine chiropractor
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
Not Checked:
    Photographs are taken of each equine monthly and kept with the equine's health records
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine nutritionist
    
    
Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the weight-carrying or workload capabilities of horses/equines that are ridden in our care:
    No equines are ridden; not applicable
    Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
Not Checked:
    Our organization evaluates at least annually and maintains a written record of the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden

The following variables are considered in determining the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden:
    Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
    No equines are ridden; not applicable
Not Checked:
    Equine age, weight, breed, body condition, fitness, balance, health and soundness
    Equine conformation to include the top line, length of back, strength and width of loin, bone density (measured by the circumference of the cannon bone just below the knee)
    Size, shape, condition and angle of the hooves
    Participant weight, height, body proportions, balance, fitness and riding skills as well as behavioral issues and safety concerns
    Weight and proper fit of the saddle and other equipment
    Terrain and footing in the working environment
    Duration and frequency of working sessions, as the frequency with which an equine is subjected to maximum weight carrying and/or workload
    Nature and pace of work, repetitive or varied, radius of turns, degree of incline and regularity of footing when equine is subject to maximum weight-carrying capacity
    Temperature and/or weather conditions
    Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations


Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):   As needed; no set schedule

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
The horses we rescue from kill pens are coming in with no history. They are quarantined off-site for a minimum of 30 days with necessary veterinary care. Once deemed non-contagious, horses are separated from herd for 1-3 months.
     
     Horses are taken either directly to the vet if suspected illness or within one week for body score assessment and overall wellness nutrition and working protocols. Veterinarian assigns body score on a regular basis.
     
     For ongoing wellness: Weekly Body Score assessments are completed. Horses are either separated to provide appropriate nutrition or quantities are adjusted until results are met.


POLICIES: BREEDING

The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
    Our main facility where our organization conducts its programs does NOT breed equines.
Not Checked:
    One or more of the facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines
    One or more of the facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions

Additional information about our breeding policies and practices:
No bred mares at our facility


POLICIES: EUTHANASIA

The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
    Our organization will never have an equine euthanized for space
    Our organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian if the equine is a threat to itself, other equines, or people
    Our organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian after all reasonable treatment options have been explored
    Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility
    Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours
Not Checked:
    Our organization will never have an equine euthanized under any circumstances
    Euthanasia is done on site when possible to decrease trauma from transport

The following are authorized to administer the procedure for your organization in accordance with state laws:
    Veterinarian
Not Checked:
    A certified euthanasia technician
    Senior staff with appropriate training
    Employee of animal control shelter or humane society with appropriate training
    Veterinary student under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian
    Not applicable. Our organization prohibits euthanasia under any circumstances

Additional information about our euthanasia policies and practices:
We had to euthanize two of our horses in 2020 due to medical reasons and upon recommendations of the veterinarian. We had both cremated :-(


POLICIES: RE-HOMING

Re-homing Agreement not applicable.
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
    The organization does not re-home equines under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our equines and ensures care of the equines for their lifetimes.

Our organization has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer able to contribute to the mission of the organization, and/or are no longer manageable:
    The organization does not re-home equines under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our equines and ensures care of the equines for their lifetimes.
    Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
    In the case an equine is unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
Not Checked:
    Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
    Equines may be returned to their owners
    Equines may be sent to auction
    If a suitable home cannot be located within 12 months, the equine may be euthanized
    The organization will accept financial responsibility for equines in the current care of the organization that need to be retired or are no longer able to contribute to the mission of the organization if all alternatives have been explored to find the equine an appropriate placement and space is not available for the equine to remain at the organization.

Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
NA

EQUINE CARE & SHELTER/FACILITY INFORMATION

Total facilities at which our organization cares for and shelters horses used in our programs: 1
Our organization does not CURRENTLY use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities.

*Pending


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