Hunkapi Programs, Inc.

My name is Jack and yes, this is my “smile for the camera” face. Ok, I need to work on it, but it is such a new concept for me that you can’t expect it to be perfect. Months ago, I was locked in a stall with no food, no friends, and no place to go. I hadn’t left my stall in 2 years until, suddenly, my life changed. I was rescued from that stall by Reigning Grace Ranch, and then Hunkapi Programs, a non-profit equine therapy program in Scottsdale, AZ, adopted me. Overnight, I had all the food I could eat, children grooming me, and volunteers giving me treats. Instead of squandering my days in a dark stall, I now pass time out on the trail, navigating the arena, or receiving hugs and kisses from the people I’ve come to call my own. My ribs no longer stick out, I have new shoes and I walk much more smoothly.

My herd and I, a group of rescued horses, do equine therapy. Big words, but what they really mean is that children with special needs ride us, allowing us to serve as their voices, legs, or courage. Most of our riders have trouble speaking or controlling their bodies, minds, or emotions. I’ve heard the words Autism, developmental disability, downs syndrome, trauma, abuse, and learning disability. We don’t understand these words; we just meet children where they are in that particular moment. Our behavior helps them become more aware of their bodies, minds, and emotions. Honestly, the way we connect is magical. It’s ok if you speak words, but we speak the universal language of horse.

Our herd does a lot of other cool stuff. We are the legs for wounded warriors and individuals with disabilities. Did I tell you my stall buddy Teddy is blind in one eye? Doesn’t slow him one bit. One of my herd pals doesn’t even get ridden; at least not yet. Kanunu has a special job, Equine Assisted Psycho-Therapy. He reads minds, no wait…he responds to feelings. He works mostly with the really big kids, I think you call them grown-ups, which is funny, because he is only four. Shh...don’t tell! That’s our little secret. He is our addiction/trauma/PTSD specialist. Thirty minutes in the round pen with NuNu, and lives are changed.

So, on behalf of my Hunkapi parents, I need your help to pay it forward. I overheard that my herd has outgrown our current ranch. We need to buy a new home so we can give love, nourishment, medical care, therapy, and attention to more veterans and riders with disabilities, and children with special needs. Any donation would be a blessing. I love my second life, and I want my herd to help as many riders as possible in living their best life. See for yourself!