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By Gabby Gregory
A Rebel with a Cause: Harmony Hope Stables It was Kristi Huddleston’s lifelong dream to have a horse ranch to help children, so she made it happen! Kristi combined her passion for music with her love of horses to found Harmony Hope Stables, a non-profit, charitable safe haven and place of healing and learning for children with autism, ADHD, PTSD, depression, and anxiety as well as those who are victims of abuse. Harmony Hope Stables is the only PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Certified Center in Martin County and provides equine and music therapy to these children in need. Kristi is a trained equestrian with 8+ years of experience and is the Path Certified ESMHL (Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning) at the ranch. She is also a talented musician and songwriter who, along with her Board Certified Music Therapist and guitar/ukulele instructor, has created a serene environment for children to express themselves through song. A victim of and witness to physical and sexual abuse herself when she was young, Kristi was unsure that she would ever be able to work with abused children, afraid that the experience would be too triggering for her. But, after some intensive EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, Kristi explains, “I felt that my trauma was finally in a safe place.” Giving the credit of her healing journey to horses, music, Jesus, and a great mental health therapist, she continues, “The combination of them all gave me the strength to now help others!” Thus, Harmony Hope
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Stables partnered with Hibiscus Children’s Center and the center’s Chief Operating Officer & Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Caroline Vineyard and Harriet Ostertag, MA, to serve the abused, abandoned, and neglected children in our community every single week. Kristi’s motivation to serve children with autism stemmed from her volunteer work at another local horse ranch. While there, she met “Awesome Anthony,” an autistic boy with whom she made a heartfelt connection. She saw the progress that Anthony was making with the horses, and later introduced him to music therapy. Anthony is now a participant in the Harmony Hope Stables’ program and his mother, Susan, serves as Secretary on HHS’ Board of Directors. The impact that Harmony Hope Stables has made in the lives of both autistic and abused children has been profound. Kristi says, “The best part is witnessing the therapeutic moments every day at the ranch. Our team beams with joy every time we see the impact our horses and music are making. It’s like magic right before our eyes when we see a child’s self esteem boost, anxiety calm, and we teach them how to regulate their anger.” The music instruction and songwriting opportunities teach them to put their pain onto paper and express their emotions in a healthy way. For children with autism and anxiety, the program helps to teach them to slow down, overcome noise sensitivities, and build confidence, focus, and leadership skills. Additionally, being around and
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