Our History:
HHH is a locally registered NGO, founded in 2012 by Karen Stollmeyer and her husband Ernie Matthews. Karen is a certified Speech and Language Pathologist, Yoga Teacher and Therapist, FEI Level 1 Riding Coach and lifelong lover of horses. Ernie is a graphic artist, avid horse lover and HHH’s Operations Manager who designed and built our stables and oversees our entire operation. Karen’s career began as a Neurological Speech and Language Pathologist in rehabilitation centers and hospitals in Miami, USA, an occupation that involved seeing the terrible consequences of physically traumatic circumstances. It was during this time that she became acquainted with the practice of Hippo therapy and knew that it was the perfect fit for both her love of horses and her career as a therapist. |
What is Hippo therapy? What is Equine Facilitated Therapy?
Hippo therapy is therapy done with horses and horseback riding to achieve specific goals with children with autism and other special needs like cerebral palsy and Down's Syndrome. It is conducted by a licensed Speech-Language, Occupational, or Physical Therapist who is also trained to work with horses. Therapeutic horseback riding and animal assisted therapy can be very effective for improving the communication skills of children with autism and other special needs. It also provides many other benefits such as improved core muscle strength, balance, coordination, and improved social skill development in all children. Equine facilitated therapy is a holistic approach to reducing stress, anxiety and depression and has also been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression in both children and adults through the pure joy one experiences in being with horses. |
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After living and working in the US for 14 years, Karen returned to Trinidad in December 2003, and founded Bliss Yoga in January 2004. Eight years later, the first horse who needed rescuing came to their awareness, and Karen and Ernie adopted Uni in November, 2011. Ex-champion racing legends Storm Street and Boogie Blues were donated to HHH by Mr. Derek Chin in 2012, and after seeing the amazing and rapid progress of their initial clients, HHH was officially founded as an NGO by Karen and Ernie in March of 2013.
As an NGO, HHH seeks to provide free hippo therapy to children whose families are unable to afford therapy services for their children. Thanks to the Ministry of Health and sponsorship from Republic Bank's Power to Make a Difference Program, we are able to provide this life-changing therapy free to 22 children per year. We are also grateful for the many other sponsors and donors who have supported us throughout the years, and without whom we would not where we are today: Movietowne, The Blue Horse Foundation, The Children's Ark, Rotoplastics Ltd., NLCB, RBC, VegOut, Massy Foundation, Angostura Ltd., and many individuals. Maintaining this operation has always been a challenge due to the costly nature of keeping horses and the nature of the population that we aim to serve, and HHH is able to survive only because of the help and generosity of our many donors and volunteers. HHH is a labour of love for both the horses and the kids we serve, and we depend on you, our supporters, to help us keep this life-changing therapy available for those who need it the most! All of our 5 horses are ex-racehorses who were rescued from the fate of being put down once their careers were over, and HHH is a sanctuary for these animals whom we so love and cherish. Having access to horses is a privilege, and one that brings us such unconditional love and healing, as the horses' nonjudgmental presence helps us to find ourselves and become whole again. Without having to say a word, these gentle giants restore our deepest peace and mental and emotional sanity. Horses are being celebrated the world over for their healing powers, and here at HHH we are proud to be able to offer this amazing and revolutionary therapy to the people of T&T! HHH and its herd offer Hippo therapy sessions, Equine facilitated therapy, riding lessons, pony parties, horse camps, school field trips and corporate stress management and team bonding retreats. To find out more about these wonderful opportunities and how you can join in on the fun, visit our services page HERE. |