In 2017, United States Army veteran Sara Hodgkiss transformed her family's farm into an official nonprofit equine-assisted therapy organization. Woerth It Hollow (WIH), 269 Cooper Drive, Kirkwood, was purchased by Hodgkiss' mother, Dorothy Woerth, in 1983. Together, Dorothy and Hodgkiss' father, Greg, worked to renovate and maintain the farm.
After serving in the Army, Hodgkiss worked through many personal problems. She later found horses that needed a second chance, so she decided to rehabilitate them and use them for a therapy program for veterans and people with disabilities. Hodgkiss created WIH to continue her legacy of service and help her fellow brothers and sisters in arms to be a part of this mission. She also mentioned that she could not do what she does without the support of her fiance, Zach Farmer.
"This is, like, a really, really good foundation," said farrier Troy Rowen, "and it was started right. I mean, you know, crawl before you walk, walk before you run, and that's what the program is about. It's helping horses and then helping veterans."
Hodgkiss noted that the goal for 2022 is for Rowen to instruct a few sessions at WIH. "I'm just going to try to start having multiple different people that I trust and that have educated me and ask them to come help educate the veterans and just give back to them the same way that they give to me," commented Hodgkiss.
Before riding horseback, participants focus on groundwork, which includes grooming and guiding horses through their paces while standing beside them. This method establishes a bond and trust between the person and the horse.
Among WIH's supporters is John Beachel, a horsemanship trainer and U.S. Army veteran who has been working in the industry for more than 40 years. Beachel spent a year and a half at WIH instructing volunteers, veterans, and disabled individuals. Because of his schedule being on the road to do clinics and body work with horses, he is no longer with the organization. He continues to lend his support and plans to occasionally stop by and check in.
"We're very grateful for everything he has taught us," stated Hodgkiss.
In December, WIH was promoted in the season finale of "Operation Hidden Treasures," a new television series that follows military veterans who find, recycle, and transform junk into treasures. In the episode, Iraq war veteran Jeff Sanders rode a horse for the first time since his leg was amputated.
Day Iseminger, a volunteer at WIH, explained, "He said that when he heard (my daughter) Chesapeake was going to get on a horse, she inspired him to do the same."
Chesapeake Wood was born 15 weeks premature and has cerebral palsy. Iseminger said she and her daughter love coming to WIH.
Readers who are interested in supporting WIH, instructing sessions, or participating in its programs may contact Hodgkiss at woerthithollow@gmail.com or 717-682-6976 or visit http://www.woerthithollow.net.
Leave a Review