DONATE

THE HALT FOUNDATION

Advancing
EQUINE-ASSISTED
SERVICES

We are here to Amplify Awareness about and to Advance Access to life-changing mental health care and personal development using Horses!

REACH OUT
Logo for The HALT Foundation featuring a stylized blue and white illustration of a horse’s head and a person’s arm embracing it, with “HALT” in large letters and “Foundation” written below in script.

Our Vision and Mission

HALT stands for Horse Assisted Learning and Therapy.

Our Vision is to be a leading Advocate of Equine-Assisted Services throughout VA and beyond.

Our Mission is to both amplify and advance the life-changing field of Equine-Assisted Services.

Founded in 2020 as a 501(c)(3), The HALT Foundation is passionate about serving the mental health and personal development needs of communities in Virginia and beyond through advancing availability and access to Equine-Assisted Services.

Our Strategic Priorities

  • Financially supporting individuals and groups seeking Equine-Assisted Services.
  • Financially supporting the professionals that work in the field through scholarships for training and certification.
  • Financially supporting the needs of centers providing Equine-Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy.
  • Financially supporting the healthcare needs of our equine partners.
  • Hosting awareness and educational events, such as The Rescued Hearts Documentary.
Two simple blue line figures face each other, each raising one arm to hold a brown heart together between them, inside a circular border.

Financially assisting Individuals seeking Equine-Assisted Services who have a financial need.

APPLY HERE
A blue outline of an open hand under a brown graduation cap with a dollar sign, all inside a circular border, representing financial support for education or scholarships.

Supporting EAS professionals with grants to receive special certifications required.

APPLY HERE
A simple line drawing of a barn on farmland with a heart shape above it, enclosed in a circular border, symbolizing love for farming or rural life.

Supporting Equine-Assisted Service Providers through grants for underfunded program initiatives.

APPLY HERE
A simple line drawing of a horse with a blue heart above its back, enclosed within a circular border.

By contributing financially to the care and overall wellbeing of our equine partners working in the industry.

APPLY HERE
A simple line drawing of a calendar page with the number 1 in the center, outlined in blue with a brown circle border.

Sponsoring awareness and educational events.

View Calendar
Three smiling young women wearing hijabs and matching maroon outfits stand beside a brown horse, gently petting it, outdoors by a wooden fence with trees in the background.

Our Impact

Because of the continued support of our generous donors and our partnerships with local service providers, our impact has consistently grown every year since our beginning in 2020.

Our impact multiplies as we enable service providers to see more clients and as we educate the public about both the mystery and the science behind the benefits of the horse-human connection in a therapeutic context. Every financial gift we receive makes a difference in broadening our reach and our impact in the industry.

Dollars Raised
$ 0
Partial Grants for Professionals
0
Partial Grants for individuals
to receive therapy
0
Individuals impacted by
community education events
0

Recent News

A brown horse stands in the doorway of a wooden stable, with a beige fabric gate across the entrance, looking outside. Sunlight filters in, illuminating the horse and stable interior.

How Your Support Helps Advance Equine-Assisted Services!

Your generous donation can help in many ways!

  • $50 – covers a stable fee for one EAS session for a client in need.
  • $100 – covers grain for one therapy horse for 3 months.
  • $250 – covers a partial scholarship for a professional in the industry to gain and/or retain certification and specialized training.
  • $500 – covers seed money for an EAS center looking to start a new program.
  • $1,000 – covers a partial scholarship for one client to receive 12 sessions of equine-assisted psychotherapy.
GIVE TODAY

Real Stories. Real Impact.

“Horses are so stoic, and it was not until they had their first exam by a veterinary equine dentist that we learned that Magic and Girl Scout, two of our new senior horses, required major dental surgery. Just like with people, dead and misaligned teeth can cause digestive problems, infection, and pain.

The HALT Foundation stepped in to provide financial support that eased the burden of this very expensive, unexpected surgery. Within weeks we began to see a real difference in both of them, with brighter affects, and more engagement and curiosity with people. They have both put weight on and are now able to enjoy a wider range of forage. Thank you so much, HALT Foundation, for your swift response to our ask and the difference you made for our Magic and Girl Scout.”
A woman with short, curly brown hair smiles outdoors. She is wearing a blue scarf with a white floral pattern, a dark jacket, and earrings. The background is blurred greenery, suggesting a park or garden setting.
Amanda Graham, LCMHCFounder, Unbridled Way Forward
Because of the support I received through The HALT Foundation scholarship, I was able to continue pursuing additional professional development opportunities, including the H.E.R.D. Institute Foundation II program. That scholarship support created momentum and allowed for continued growth that may not have otherwise been possible.

The impact of scholarships like those provided by The HALT Foundation extends far beyond one course or one moment. They help build skills, credibility, and capacity that can then be poured back into the communities being served. In my case, that growth directly supports the work of Mended Sparrow, Inc. and the populations we serve through equine-assisted services..

I am truly grateful for The HALT Foundation’s support and belief in this path.
Shahnaz Deyette
Shahnaz DeyetteFounder & Executive Director, Mended Sparrow, Inc
“We would like to thank The HALT Foundation for their continued support. They have supported our continued education of our instructors and Equine Professionals in order to better serve our community. This organization is always ready to step up where they see a need helping others to help others. It is organizations like The HALT Foundation that allow places like Healing Strides to serve our communities with excellence. I would like to personally think Barbara Robbins and the Board of Directors.”
Carol Young
Carol Young CEO, Healing Strides of Va
“I am so excited about what The HALT Foundation is doing to foster healing and hope for those who are struggling and hurting. I was a volunteer at the screening of the Documentary, Rescued Hearts that The HALT Foundation hosted. Watching the film, I gained a better understanding of the transformative power of people and horse relationships. Last year I began a journey of learning more about horses, equine therapy and began horseback riding lessons at the age of 66! I am also volunteering at an Equine program to assist development disability riders. Thank you HALT Foundation for enriching my life!”
An older woman with long gray hair and a pink scarf sits on a porch. She is wearing a maroon top with small patterns and is looking at the camera, with greenery and a brick wall in the background.
Dianne FullerVolunteer and Donor
“Thanks to scholarships from The HALT Foundation, my teanager was able to receive equine assisted therapy. This has been the least worrisome winter of the last several years. I think that speaks volumes to all the help and guidance my child received from the equine assisted therapy team, including the horse.”
Sherrie
SherrieA Client's Parent

Upcoming Events

A man holds a young child dressed in red as they reach out to touch the face of a light-colored horse wearing a blue halter. Trees and a red fence are visible in the background.

Partners and Sponsors

Our faithful Financial Business Partners include:

  • Wharton, Aldhizer and Weaver law Firm
  • The Foster Foundation
  • Park View Federal Credit Union
  • Farm Choice, Inc.
  • Rocky Hill Stables, LLC
  • Brilee Farms, LLC
  • Broadway/Timberville Rotary
  • Frazier Quarry
  • Farmers and Merchants Bank

Service Providers we have partnered with to help build community awareness and promote professional development include:

  • Willow’s Haven Farm Sanctuary
  • Healing Strides of Virginia
  • Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (CART)
  • Cross Keys Equine Therapy
  • Arenas for Change
  • Horses for Mental Health
  • Tarpan Horse Conservation Program, Staunton
A young girl with braided hair and a blue shirt paints pink and green designs on the side of a brown horse outdoors.

A Note of Gratitude

We are deeply grateful to those who partner with us in advancing the life-changing potential of the horse-human connection. Our work is made possible through the generous support of donors, businesses, volunteers, and industry professionals. Your commitment makes this impact possible, and we sincerely thank you.