“In the steady gaze of the horse shines a silent eloquence that speaks of love and loyalty, strength and courage.
It is the window that reveals to us how willing is his spirit, how generous his heart.”
~ Author Unknow
Hello, I am Kathy Porter, founder of Help Me Horses…Horses Healing Humans. My journey into experiencing the positive effects horses have on humans began 50 years ago when I started riding lessons and working at a local barn in Buffalo, NY. I was in love with horses and I experienced how in tune they were with my feelings, but what I didn’t know back then was how big an effect they can have on anyone.
In 2010, I brought my horses home to my Little Red Riding Barn where they started showing they were natural therapy horses. Within days of their arrival, a neighbor with Alzheimer’s was a regular visitor to them. There was an instant connection between him and Cheyenne that brought him peace and happiness. He also suffered from PTSD, and if something triggered him, all I had to do was direct him to Cheyenne and the pain went away. Cheyenne was patient, kind, calm and would let him love on her. It truly was the best therapy for him.
When my children left for college, that was an emotional time for me. I would enter the barn in the morning and greet them and say “Help Me Horses”, and they always did with their silent strength.
I have had many family, friends and B&B guests over the years come to my barn to interact with my therapy horses from caretakers, senior citizens, parents and families of drug and alcohol addiction, disabilities, cancer, eating disorder, grief, divorce, depression, anxiety and daily stress.
My barn is private to my 2 therapy horses. It is a cozy and welcoming place to leave your cares behind for an hour and let the love of the horses embrace you. To me, that is what makes my barn special and unique.
Help Me Horses is looking forward to helping anyone who wants to experience the powerful peace that comes from being around and working with my horses. I am not a therapist, it is the horses that are working for you. My role is to guide you with my horses to feel the positive connection, accomplishment, and overall good feeling from interacting with horses. My goal for you is to leave better than when you arrived, and every time you come develop a stronger bond with your therapy horse.
Help Me Horses is proud to be sponsoring:
Saddle Up for St. Jude, a trail ride held at Highland Forest
the second Saturday in June.
I have been organizing this event for the last 4 years.
Completed Courses:
- Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan
- Choice Making for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Supporting Quality of Life for a Person with Developmental Disabilities
- HIPAA The Basics
Education:
Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design,
minor in Business
Member of:
New York State Farm Bureau
Central New York Horse Club
American Quarter Horse Association
Websites:
ifiwereahorse.com
helpmehorses.com
Facebook:
Help Me Horses
“The horse. Here is nobility without conceit, friendship without envy, beauty without vanity.
A willing servant, yet never a slave.”
~ Ronald Duncan