Hooves & Heroes

Hooves & Heroes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Veterans, First Responders, and their families through the healing power of horses.

Our Mission: To serve military Veterans, First Responders, and their families through the healing power of the horse.

Our Vision: To build a stronger, more connected community where those who have served can heal, grow, and thrive through meaningful partnerships with horses and each other.

At Hooves & Heroes, we offer equine-based activities and learning experiences designed to help individuals build stronger connections with themselves and others. By observing and learning from herd dynamics, participants explore how horses communicate, establish trust, and maintain balance within their herd—and how these lessons can help us better navigate our own “human herd” at work, at home, and in the community.

As prey animals, horses rely on their heightened senses to stay safe, making them remarkably attuned to the emotions and energy of those around them. Their responses act as a living mirror, reflecting our internal state and offering valuable insight into our emotions, behaviors, and patterns of communication.

Through one-on-one and small-group sessions, participants experience this powerful, nonverbal feedback firsthand. By observing and responding to a horse’s natural reactions, individuals learn to recognize and regulate their emotions, fostering confidence, mindfulness, and authentic connection. These experiences lay the foundation for meaningful partnerships built on trust, awareness, and mutual respect between horse and human. All of our programs are offered free of charge to Veterans, First Responders, and their families, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to healing, growth, and connection.

Beyond personal growth, our programs provide tools to help individuals better engage with their communities, manage stress, and navigate challenging interactions. As we continue to grow, Hooves & Heroes will expand our offerings to include additional programs, advocacy initiatives, and community events—all designed to strengthen connections and promote healing across the Stanwood-Camano community and beyond.