In the fall of 2021, Family Hope Foundation was introduced to Felicity, now 15, through our scholarship application process. We’ve had the privilege of sharing a snippet of her story before, and have truly enjoyed getting to know her–we so admire the kind-hearted and resilient person she is.

As we celebrate our 15th anniversary and highlight favorite memories each month on the 15th, we reached out to Felicity to ask about her favorite memory as a Family Hope Foundation scholarship recipient. 

Felicity shared, “My favorite memory of Family Hope Foundation is when Madeline Puckett came to Renew and took pictures of my horse, Babe, and I. Something I’m most proud of is my Reins of Life dressage show reserve champion award. The reserve champion award goes to the participant with the second highest amount of points in the whole show. I’m really looking forward to cantering off a lounge line and participating in more horse shows.”

Felicity is a high school student, lover of animals (especially horses), courageous tackler of challenges, and a strong self-advocate. Please read on to learn more about how far she’s come from Felicity’s mom, Katie, and discover even more about this remarkable young lady!   

“Diagnosed with anxiety and depression at a young age, Felicity struggled with change, feared trying new things, had a difficult time being in large crowds, and resisted being in places she was unfamiliar with. After having a rough year at school we started her with basic talk therapy; then when Covid-19 hit the United States and everyone’s world was upended, it sent Felicity’s world into a complete tail spin. The psychologist she worked with encouraged us to safely get her out of the house and do simple things with people she loved and knew well.

As her mom, I knew Felicity had a tremendous love for animals, so I began to research forms of therapy that utilized animals. Renew Therapeutic Riding Center was one of the first therapists that came up in my research. I reached out to Renew via email with a long list of questions, hoping they worked with children that struggled with anxiety and depression. I connected with Shaina, who was so helpful, and we arranged for an in-person meeting. We filled out all of the required forms, our family doctor completed his portion of the paperwork, and as luck would have it, a few weeks later there was an opening for Felicity. It was an answer to our prayers.

Unfortunately, we quickly discovered equine assisted services were not covered by our insurance, and we could not afford the full cost of the sessions. Renew told us about their partnership with Family Hope Foundation–we were excited about the possibility of getting some financial help in order to make sure Felicity was able to receive this essential therapy. We applied for a scholarship and were awarded $1,000, allowing Felicity to keep attending her sessions at Renew. We were so thankful!

Felicity didn’t talk much during her first months of riding, though she definitely formed a quick bond with her horse partner, Waui. We attended special events where she groomed Waui, colored on her with chalk, braided her main and tail, and fed her. Unfortunately, Waui fell ill and Felicity needed to begin working with a new horse named Babe, who she continues to work with today.

Moving from Waui to Babe was a tough change, but it also highlighted Felicity’s resilience, while at the same time proving to herself that she could meet a new horse, form a new bond, and continue succeeding. By learning to control her breathing, posture, core muscles—and a powerful animal—Felicity gained the confidence to apply those same techniques in her life beyond the barn. 

The transition from elementary school to middle school held additional challenges and Felicity had a few setbacks. However, we noticed that many teachers commented on how relaxed Felicity seemed on Tuesdays, which happened to be the day after her sessions with Babe at Renew. We knew this therapy was important and, while she may have had some challenges, we also knew it was important to keep going.

Transitioning from middle school to high school was so smooth, we almost didn’t believe the growth we witnessed in Felicity. She was able to communicate to her guidance counselor what special needs would help her transition into a new building. Our public school counselor has been a miracle worker, right along with Renew and Family Hope Foundation, in supporting Felicity. With all of the help, guidance, and love we’ve received over the years, we have seen Felicity blossom into an incredible young lady.

As Renew continues to challenge Felicity to try even harder skills, she has embraced each and every challenge head-on. Some of the most notable challenges she has conquered since starting at Renew include participating in front of an audience in horse shows and in choir, using her voice to communicate with others rather than shying away, learning that struggling and failing is okay if you try again to achieve, venturing out with friends on outings, and most importantly, volunteering her time at Renew. 

We are so thankful for Family Hope Foundation, and the gracious scholarships we have received that allowed Felicity to participate in equine assisted therapy at Renew. Felicity was also thrilled to be invited by Family Hope Foundation to participate in a photo shoot, allowing her to meet other children and families in the Family Hope Foundation community, and show off her beautiful horse partner, Babe–she loved letting others see her in her element! The connection she has with Babe is a magical thing to see. When I look at videos and pictures of Felicity and Babe I see the love for each other in both their eyes. 

As Felicity continues to make her way through high school, we pray she finds her true self, keeps advocating for herself, and continues to demonstrate to others what a kind-hearted person she is. We could not be more proud of our extraordinary Felicity!”

Warmly,
Katie Kraker

P.S. It’s been a joy to invest in Felicity’s growth over the last four years–she’s come so far! It’s a testament to her resiliency and strength. Her story highlights the importance of a strong match between a therapist, a courageous young lady, and, in this case, a horse named Babe.

-Your friends at Family Hope Foundation