NEWS FROM THE
HORSES' MOUTH
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As 2025 draws to a close, our team at Healing Hoof Steps would like you to know how much we appreciate every opportunity that has brought awareness to our programs and mission. This year brought exciting growth and meaningful progress for our organization.
With the addition of our new arena cover, we expanded programming, made major strides in faculty improvements, stayed busy with collaborative events, introduced new board and staff members, and received incredibly and impactful grants!
As we look ahead, we are thankful for the continued support of our board, volunteers, donors, and community who made this impactful year possible.
Happy Holidays!
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A New Chapter Takes Shape
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This year marked an exciting step forward as we began conducting sessions in our new office spaces and fully utilized our arena cover for riding lessons and camps. We also welcomed two clinicians who began using our mental health offices to support our programming and new certified therapeutic riding instructors. In addition, we said goodbye to our original tack building and administrative office and welcomed a new multi-purpose hay building with an attached equine operations office. While the structure is in place, work is still underway as we continue to add insulation, flooring, a bathroom, and other finishing touches.
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10 Years of
Healing Hoof Steps
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Ten years ago, in October of 2015, Healing Hoof Steps began its mission to serve the community at our facility in Crestview. Since then, thousands have taken part in our programs and events, experiencing firsthand how horses can enrich and improve lives. As we celebrate this milestone, we are filled with gratitude for the support and trust of our community.
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This year, we were thrilled to see incredible turnout at our annual events, including the 3rd Annual Pickleball Tournament, 4th Annual PAR 4 Patriots, 5th Annual Equestrian Challenge, and 8th Annual PTSD Awareness Ride. We also proudly introduced new events, such as the Ponies, Patriots Paint & Sip as part of PAR 4 Patriots, our 2025 Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, and the 1st Annual AMVETS and Healing Hoof Steps Charity Poker Run. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of our coordinating organizations, sponsors, staff, volunteers and special guests!
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We’re excited to announce a wonderful addition to our Adaptive Riding Program — Bernard the Equicizer! This exciting enhancement was made possible through Florida Power & Light’s Quarterly Community Grant Program. A special thank-you goes to Bernard Johnson of FPL External Affairs for helping make this partnership a reality. The Equicizer provides an innovative, safe, and engaging way for riders to build strength, balance, and confidence, supporting their journey toward therapeutic riding success. We’re deeply grateful to Florida Power & Light for their continued commitment to community programs that make a real difference.
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Our incredible Board of Directors played a key role in the organization’s growth this year, most notably through their participation in the Cavalry of Giving donation race and the completion of an impactful strategic planning meeting. The 2026–2031 Strategic Planning Session was a huge success! With the dedication and passion of this incredible team, we’re confident these goals are not just achievable — they’ll elevate our mission to new heights. A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing Board of Directors and Executive Leadership for their vision, commitment, and collaboration in shaping the future of Healing Hoof Steps. The road ahead is bright, and we’re ready to change even more lives through the healing power of horses! Meet our 2026-2027 Board of Directors at https://healinghoofsteps.org/board-of-directors
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Impact100 of Northwest Florida Inc. THANK YOU!
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We are honored and thrilled to share that we are a recipient of a grant from the Impact100 of Northwest Florida Inc. This generous funding will help us enhance our facilities by completing our multi-purpose building, equine operations office, install arena lighting, extending our barn, and adding a cover to the horse break room. We are deeply grateful to the entire Impact100 team, our dedicated staff and board members, and especially board president, Jason Zuromski, whose extra efforts helped make this achievement possible!
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As this year comes to an end, we look forward to start highlighting members of our volunteer team! We have such a compassionate, hardworking, group of dedicated volunteers, some who have been a part of our mission since we started the Adaptive Riding program five years ago. We have avid animal lovers, crafty creativeness, highly organized and talented individuals who are eager to serve both our mission and our participants. Healing Hoof Steps is truly grateful for our team of individuals who continue to give back each and every day!
We are always looking for individuals who want to assist adults and children with disabilities, challenges, or limitations and would love to share in the joy our participants feel with a relationship with a horse.
Horse experience is helpful but not required.
Please visit our website at https://healinghoofsteps.org/become-a-volunteer to review how to become a volunteer. You can also find the application, handbook training and a link for the background check.
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Volunteers typically engage 1-3 hours per week.
Winter/Spring days and hours could be Tuesdays through Fridays between 9am-5pm and Saturday mornings from 9am-1pm.
We hope you'll join us!
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*New for 2026* Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities!
Looking for a meaningful way to give back while increasing your brand’s visibility? Healing Hoof Steps offers corporate sponsorship opportunities that connect your business to a powerful mission of healing and growth. Sponsors enjoy year-round recognition at events, onsite signage, and digital promotion while supporting programs that truly change lives. To learn more about how your business can be part of our journey, please contact narissa@healinghoofsteps.org for more details
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As we close this year, our hearts are full of gratitude. To our sponsors who believe in our mission, our volunteers who give their time and hearts so generously, our dedicated staff who show up every day with compassion and commitment, and our community who continues to support and uplift Healing Hoof Steps—thank you. Because of you, lives have been touched, healing has happened, and hope has grown. We are deeply thankful to walk this journey with you and look forward to the impact we will continue to make together in the year ahead.
From our herd to yours,
We with you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Narissa Jenkins
CEO & Founder
Healing Hoof Steps
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