After-School / Community Activities, Camps, Equine Therapy
Address: 3363 Wheeler Drive | Acworth, GA 30102
Rating: 5.00 (3 reviews)
Insurances: No info provided
Ages Served: All ages
Care Settings: No info provided
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About Hand, Hoof and Heart
The Hand, Hoof and Heart journey began back in 2013 in Marietta, GA. Our founder, Erin, had always been involved with horses, but hadn't planned on building this program until she took a job as a caregiver for a young boy diagnosed with autism and fell in love working with the special needs community. The Hand, Hoof and Heart dream quickly developed into reality when Erin partnered with The MDE School to start an equestrian club for their students. When the program first took off, we started out with four riders, two horses and one instructor. During the first five years, we not only offered therapeutic horseback riding, but Erin continued to further her knowledge by working with clients and their families privately at their homes by offering job coaching, meal prep, life skills, community access and behavior modification. Erin's experience with these families helped mold Hand, Hoof and Heart into what it is today! This program has become much more than just therapeutic horseback riding, but has developed into a place where our clients can develop and improve on their physical, emotional and social well being by working with our horses. Hand, Hoof and Heart has grown into a barn family of 35 students, 6 horses and 3 instructors. Our therapeutic lesson program has developed into not only serving the special needs community, but also providing therapeutic recreation to children, teens and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression and low self esteem. We have put an emphasis on promoting inclusivity, providing opportunities for the community to get involved and building a volunteer program that encourages involvement with the special needs community. We can't wait to see what is next for Hand, Hoof and Heart as we continue to grow and continue to develop inclusive, skill-based programs for our community.
Accreditations
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The best horse back riding facility ever. Its about teaching kids responsibility and how to safely ride. LOVE them.
Elizabeth R.
March 1, 2021
yelp review
Erin Emily and the whole team at Hand Hoof and Heart are superb We cannot say enough about their caring attitude and desire to work with children. My...
Brenda R.
April 30, 2020
yelp review
I can only say positive things about Hand Hoof and Heart. It is the highlight of my sons week. Eric is 36 years old and has Fragile X Syndrome and this...
Karen G.
April 23, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re interested in understanding the non-verbal experience, we recommend watching The Reason I Jump. If you’re looking for a movie that can help your child understand their emotions, many neurodiverse families love Inside Out. Check out our autism-friendly movie guide here.
For both a scientific and personal look at autism, we recommend reading But You Don’t Look Autistic At All by Bianca Toeps. Check out our full book guide for more great reads.
Hero Elementary is great for the young ones. Songs for Littles is excellent for toddlers learning how to talk. And Ranking of Kings is a great option for anime and fantasy fans. See our full list of the best TV shows about autism and inclusion.
Autism-friendly camps come in all shapes and sizes, making it easier for you to find the one that best suits your needs. An autism-friendly camp may come in the form of a day camp, meaning you drop your child off in the morning and pick them up later that afternoon, or as an overnight camp. The camp programs can range in length from a few days to a few weeks. The campers that attend autism-friendly camps may be autistic only or a mixture of neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. When it comes to support for your child, some camps offer 1:1 support while others have a higher camper-to-counselor ratio.
When choosing the perfect camp for your child there are five key things you should keep in mind:
Interests: What does your child like to do? A sports camp probably wouldn’t be a good fit for your little bookworm. Finding the right summer camp that sparks your child’s excitement will aid in transitioning to and from camp, while also ensuring they enjoy their experience.
Professional Support: How much support does your child need? A traveling camp may not be best for your child who tends to elope. Some camps offer 1:1 support for your child, while others may have a higher camper-to-counselor ratio. When looking for a camp, pay close attention to those ratios to ensure there is adequate support for your child’s unique needs.
Specializations: Does the camp specialize in a specific area? If your child is nonverbal and the camp has excellent experience working with nonverbal children, it may be the perfect fit!
Responsiveness and Accommodations: Pay special attention to camps that meet with you one-on-one either by phone, video chat, or in person, to mark out a personalized support plan for your child. You can relax knowing they’re on top of things and making sure your child is properly supported. Don’t be afraid to ask tons of questions —a great camp will welcome them!
Location and Commitment: Not many people like a long commute. You know your child’s comfort level better than anyone else, so you’ll know what’s best for them, whether it’s a half-day camp, a full day, or an overnight experience.
Here are just a few of the benefits of summer camp for autistic children:
Fostering Social Skills: Summer camp is an excellent opportunity for your child to learn about different social scenarios they may face as they grow up and provide them first-hand experience in how to approach those situations in a safe and supportive environment.
Maintaining Mental Stimulation: With school out during the summer months, a child with autism may be missing out on many of the core structures inherently provided by the classroom and their classmates. No matter what sort of camp you choose or your child’s unique needs and interests, summer camp is a great way to keep your child mentally stimulated and challenged.
Friendship: Depending on the camp size, campers are often divided into smaller groups defined by age, interests, gender, and/or needs. These groups not only give your child the opportunity to closely identify with a group that they belong to but provide them an opportunity to learn how to make friends.
Independence and Confidence: Possibly the greatest benefit of summer camp for your child is the independence they gain. While the counselors are there for support and guidance, kids will have their own responsibilities and choices to make while at camp. Your child will be doing activities independently and actively learning what they like and don’t like. Having these sorts of experiences can boost a child’s self-confidence and nurture your child’s natural curiosity about the world.
Equine therapy as an industry is a form of therapy that involves working with horses to help individuals with disabilities and mental health issues. It can help build strength, balance, and coordination. Equine therapy can also help kids develop better emotional regulation, higher self-confidence, and more independence.
All ages
English