Tracey Keeven, founder and executive director of Power of Hope, was the guest speaker at Salem Rotary on Monday, Jan. 12. Tracey and her assistant, Adria Bowles, shared information and video of how the Equestrian Center works to help those with disabilities.
The Power of Hope (POH) Equestrian Center was founded in 2021.
Tracey started volunteering at a therapeutic riding center an hour away from her home. She immediately fell in love with the process and quickly became certified as a riding instructor. Tracey and husband, Jeff, own a farm and already had an outdoor arena onsite. They decided it was the perfect location to start offering equestrian services in Steelville, MO.
POH started with just five horses and 10 riders in an outdoor arena. In just three years, POH has grown to include an indoor barn and arena area with a dedicated team of five instructors, many weekly volunteers, 17 horses, one mule and over 65 riders per week.
POH is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Member Center that provides weekly therapy programs to children and adults, ages 4 to 60+ years of age, with physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities. PATH Certified Instructors lead the programs with the assistance of horses, mules, and many dedicated volunteers each week. Power of Hope is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit.
Disabilities served include: Down Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, Anxiety, Developmental Delay, …among many others.
