The HEART Center

It’s Wednesday! Sending a High Five to everyone who needs a little push to make it through the rest of this week! 👏🏻🤗💗 #heartcenteraz #heartcenterschool

It’s Wednesday! Sending a High Five to everyone who needs a little push to make it through the rest of this week! 👏🏻🤗💗 #heartcenteraz #heartcenterschool

Brave. What does this word mean to you? To us it means courage, something our students demonstrate every day. Whether it’s answering a question in front of class or getting on a horse- living with different bodies and brains demands bravery.

At the H.E.A.R.T Center we aspire to be different too. To teach horses, education, and therapy differently. We aspire to push boundaries and break barriers. We aspire to be brave.💙

#recreationaltherapy #bravery #specialneeds #heartcenteraz #equinetherapy #horsetherapy #therapeuticriding #adaptiveriding

Brave. What does this word mean to you? To us it means courage, something our students demonstrate every day. Whether it’s answering a question in front of class or getting on a horse- living with different bodies and brains demands bravery.

At the H.E.A.R.T Center we aspire to be different too. To teach horses, education, and therapy differently. We aspire to push boundaries and break barriers. We aspire to be brave.💙

#recreationaltherapy #bravery #specialneeds #heartcenteraz #equinetherapy #horsetherapy #therapeuticriding #adaptiveriding

Meet our instructor Miss. Stella and her horse Houston! ❤️ An accomplished team, these two have competed together for years in hunter jumper and equitation. They both support our students in learning how to ride, and we feel so lucky to have them!

A few fun facts:
💗 Stella is a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor

📚 She is studying neuroscience at ASU

🐴 She’s the Crestline Farms in house horse whisperer. If you see Stella or Houston around, please say hello! #equinetherapy #horsetherapy #heartcenteraz #therapeuticriding #adaptiveriding #recreationaltherapy

Meet our instructor Miss. Stella and her horse Houston! ❤️ An accomplished team, these two have competed together for years in hunter jumper and equitation. They both support our students in learning how to ride, and we feel so lucky to have them!

A few fun facts:
💗 Stella is a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor

📚 She is studying neuroscience at ASU

🐴 She’s the Crestline Farms in house horse whisperer. If you see Stella or Houston around, please say hello! #equinetherapy #horsetherapy #heartcenteraz #therapeuticriding #adaptiveriding #recreationaltherapy

Happy Halloween from all of us at the H.E.A.R.T Center 🧡

Our school students dressed up in costumes for the day, and competed with their horses in bobbing for apples. The horses LOVED it! and so did we. Swipe to see! 💜

#therapyhorse #equinetherapy #therapeuticriding #adaptiveriding #halloween #halloween2021 #specialneeds #heartcenteraz #recreationaltherapy

Happy Halloween from all of us at the H.E.A.R.T Center 🧡

Our school students dressed up in costumes for the day, and competed with their horses in bobbing for apples. The horses LOVED it! and so did we. Swipe to see! 💜

#therapyhorse #equinetherapy #therapeuticriding #adaptiveriding #halloween #halloween2021 #specialneeds #heartcenteraz #recreationaltherapy

We are thrilled to share that our beloved girls Karma and Adele are going on a vacation next week! We will miss these two while they enjoy their well deserved rest and relaxation. Share your favorite memory with them below! 💗.

#therapyhorse #equinetherapy #therapeuticriding #horsetherapy #recreationaltherapy #adaptiveriding #heartcenteraz

We are thrilled to share that our beloved girls Karma and Adele are going on a vacation next week! We will miss these two while they enjoy their well deserved rest and relaxation. Share your favorite memory with them below! 💗.

#therapyhorse #equinetherapy #therapeuticriding #horsetherapy #recreationaltherapy #adaptiveriding #heartcenteraz

Meet Miss. Tiana! 💗 “Hi Everyone! I am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at The HEART Center!”

Some fun facts about me are:

1. I graduated from Sacramento State University this past year with my B.A. in Recreational Therapy.🌿

2. I am from Placerville, CA.🐻

3. In my free time I enjoy hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and snowboarding.🍁 🌊❄️

4. I moved out to Arizona for an internship in January where I began my amazing journey with The HEART Center.💗

5. I have past experiences in coaching for Special Olympics basketball and soccer, being an aid in an inclusive summer camp with youth with various disabilities, and assisting in an adult day program that offered community among adults with various disabilities.❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

6. I participated in many different sports growing up including ballet, gymnastics, cheerleading, karate, volleyball, soccer and basketball. ⚽️🏀🏐

7. My favorite sports teams are the San Francisco Giants and 49ers. ⚾️🏈

8. I got recently engaged in February.💍

9. The people I look up to the most is my mom, dad and brother.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

10. My favorite part about working at The HEART Center is being able to be apart of all the amazing students lives and helping them learn the many benefits that come from playing and adapting to their various needs!💗

Happiness comes from the simple things💗😊

Today’s trail rock wishing you a happy week from the HEART Center!

#therapeuticriding #horses #adaptiveriding #heartcenteraz #recreationaltherapy #therapyhorse

Happiness comes from the simple things💗😊

Today’s trail rock wishing you a happy week from the HEART Center!

#therapeuticriding #horses #adaptiveriding #heartcenteraz #recreationaltherapy #therapyhorse

Fun morning celebrating “Yes! Day”with part of the team! 💗 #autismawareness #heartcenteraz

Fun morning celebrating “Yes! Day”with part of the team! 💗 #autismawareness #heartcenteraz

Meet Pumpkin! 🎃🧡
The unofficial newest member of our herd, he arrived yesterday for trial just in time for Halloween! (and so far, he’s the sweetest!)
Stay tuned to see how he adjusts 🥰.
.
#therapeuticriding #horsetherapy #horses #equinetherapy #therapyhorse #adaptiveriding #ctri

Meet Pumpkin! 🎃🧡
The unofficial newest member of our herd, he arrived yesterday for trial just in time for Halloween! (and so far, he’s the sweetest!)
Stay tuned to see how he adjusts 🥰.
.
#therapeuticriding #horsetherapy #horses #equinetherapy #therapyhorse #adaptiveriding #ctri

Yesterday our school took a field trip to a real farm! 🧡

Inspired by our garden and culinary program, we had so much fun picking produce, feeling the Fall spirit, and being somewhere different together 😊.

Thank You @tolmachoff_farms for hosting us!
Some highlights:
🌽- learning in the corn maze classroom
🥒- picking organic zucchini and cucumber
🐄 🦢- being with all the different animals in the petting zoo
😁💗- being together as a school family- playing, laughing, jumping, climbing- all the things!

#microschool #heartcenteraz #specialeducation #tolmachofffarms #fieldtrip #specialneeds

Yes Day for Autism!

We will be there Sunday! Can’t wait to visit with everyone!

Yes Day for Autism!

Hi! My name is Kennedy and I am the Vocational and Life Skills Program Director here at The HEART Center! :)

Some fun facts about me are:

⁃ I graduated from ASU with a B.S. in Recreation Therapy and a minor in Human & Family Development. 🔱
⁃ I started as a recreation therapy intern here at The HEART Center! 💗
⁃ I am originally from Iowa🌽
⁃ My favorite subject to teach my students is science- specifically anatomy and learning about how our bodies work, move and heal. 🧠🫁🫀
⁃ Astrology and reading people’s birth charts is really interesting to me. ✨
⁃ Disney World is one of my favorite places ever. I have been 20+ times! 👑
⁃ I am a plant mom to about 15 plants. They are the first thing I check on each morning! Horticulture therapy can have many benefits including reducing anxiety and increasing one’s mood. 🌿
⁃ I love sports! My favorite teams are the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. 🏈⚾️
⁃ I worked as a camp counselor for four years at a medically supported overnight camp in Colorado.🏕
⁃ Watching students interact with the horses and learning through them is one of my favorite parts of working at The HEART Center 🐴💗

Hi! My name is Kennedy and I am the Vocational and Life Skills Program Director here at The HEART Center! :)

Some fun facts about me are:

⁃ I graduated from ASU with a B.S. in Recreation Therapy and a minor in Human & Family Development. 🔱
⁃ I started as a recreation therapy intern here at The HEART Center! 💗
⁃ I am originally from Iowa🌽
⁃ My favorite subject to teach my students is science- specifically anatomy and learning about how our bodies work, move and heal. 🧠🫁🫀
⁃ Astrology and reading people’s birth charts is really interesting to me. ✨
⁃ Disney World is one of my favorite places ever. I have been 20+ times! 👑
⁃ I am a plant mom to about 15 plants. They are the first thing I check on each morning! Horticulture therapy can have many benefits including reducing anxiety and increasing one’s mood. 🌿
⁃ I love sports! My favorite teams are the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. 🏈⚾️
⁃ I worked as a camp counselor for four years at a medically supported overnight camp in Colorado.🏕
⁃ Watching students interact with the horses and learning through them is one of my favorite parts of working at The HEART Center 🐴💗

Did you know that we do Yoga too? 😁

It’s true! The breathing (pranayama) and physical exercises (asana) do wonders in deepening our students connections with their bodies, their minds, their horses and with each other. Just ask them- it’s always a big YES to Yoga class 💖🙏

Did you know that we do Yoga too? 😁

It’s true! The breathing (pranayama) and physical exercises (asana) do wonders in deepening our students connections with their bodies, their minds, their horses and with each other. Just ask them- it’s always a big YES to Yoga class 💖🙏

Hey guys, Jared here! I am a Special Education teacher at the H.E.A.R.T. Center and Here are 10 facts about me:

🏝 Born and raised in Laguna Beach, California.

🎓I received a BS in Business Management from the University of Arizona in 2017 and a Masters in Special Education from Arizona State University. (My loyalty is always with UofA) 😸😈

✏️I fell in love with teaching as a Tutor. I was a tutor for the University of Arizona Athletics department and Mathnasium. 👨‍🏫

✖️➗➕➖ My favorite subject to teach is math because it essential for an independent and rewarding lifestyle.

👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 I am a second generation Special Education Teacher. My mom is a learning therapist and advocate for students with all neuro-diveristies.

⛳️My favorite part about living in Arizona is being able to Golf 365 days a year. 🏌🏼‍♂️☀️

💭My dream is to one day have a business of my own that provides education and work opportunities for people with intellectual differences. 👨‍💼🏫

💚My favorite part about working at the H.E.A.R.T. Center is the opportunity to wear many different hats. Besides teaching in the classroom, I love teaching our students how to cook and providing transportation as the “Bus Driver”. 🚌👨‍🍳

🏈⚾️🏀🏒 I am a huge sports fan. My favorite teams to follow are the 49ers, Angels, Lakers and Anaheim Ducks.

📚I love teaching because it fills me with joy to watch my students grow on a daily basis. ❤️

Hello Everyone! 👋 I’m Miss Regan.

Like Chelsea, I’m very excited to show you inside our wonderful world of the H.E.A.R.T. Center and School. 💗

I’m officially introducing myself by sharing my 10 fun facts. A friends post inspired it, and I had so much fun thinking of these! Feel free to share some of yours :)

🌵 Born and raised in Arizona

🐴 I started riding horses when I was 8 years old.

🏙🌴 I’ve lived in both New York City and Los Angeles

🎭 I have a BFA in Theatre

💗 I started volunteering at the H.E.A.R.T. Center in 2014.

👫 My older brother is living with Cerebral Palsy

🎬 My dream is to make television shows about our school, horses and students.

🐈 I’m a catmom, to Topaz 🧡

♓️ I’m a Pisces, Pisces, Ta**us (sun/moon/rising)

🎓 New York University is my alma mater.

Hello Everyone! 👋 I’m Miss Regan.

Like Chelsea, I’m very excited to show you inside our wonderful world of the H.E.A.R.T. Center and School. 💗

I’m officially introducing myself by sharing my 10 fun facts. A friends post inspired it, and I had so much fun thinking of these! Feel free to share some of yours :)

🌵 Born and raised in Arizona

🐴 I started riding horses when I was 8 years old.

🏙🌴 I’ve lived in both New York City and Los Angeles

🎭 I have a BFA in Theatre

💗 I started volunteering at the H.E.A.R.T. Center in 2014.

👫 My older brother is living with Cerebral Palsy

🎬 My dream is to make television shows about our school, horses and students.

🐈 I’m a catmom, to Topaz 🧡

♓️ I’m a Pisces, Pisces, Ta**us (sun/moon/rising)

🎓 New York University is my alma mater.

Miss Regan shared yesterday in stories about this weeks sessions being focused on feet and stabilizing the legs… well this got me thinking 😂

So for those of you that don’t know, I recently had a baby. Miss Hazel Maree was born in July and along with all the newborn joy, she has been quite the puzzle with oral ties and oral motor control. While I’m getting adjusted to balancing her needs and everything at The HEART Center, my incredible staff family has been handling all the day to day fun at the barn.
How this relates to feet and this weeks lessons?… I’ve learned all about how oral ties and restrictions in the mouth affect the whole body. The mouth and the feet are connected so when there is tension or restriction in the mouth, you’ll see it all the way down to the toes. This is true for Hazel who always has scrunched up feet. But when she gets adjusted and has a little bit of oral work done, then I see the feet relax just a tad.

During our riding sessions, where there is tension in the feet- it will travel up the legs and affect balance and connection with the horse. This week I’ll be playing with noticing that a little bit more and instead of just stretching and loosening up the legs and the ankles, I’m going to play with approaching it from the mouth too. Stand by as we experiment with silly tongue stretches and continuing to focus on sending our breath through our whole body :)

While I’m just starting to learn about how to best help Hazel- I’m curious, were Oral Restrictions a thing with any of your kids? And if you’d like more in depth information on how the body connects and how adjustments support function, I’m sure my dear chiropractic friends @wholehealthchiropractic and @acacianaturalmedicine would be happy to answer any questions. If you’re not already seeing a chiropractor to support development and health- it’s something I personally would highly recommend!

Enjoy some baby spam and we are excited to virtually introduce you to our team this week!

One of the major perks of working in this field is getting to know all the kick a** parents. I used to think parenting would be easy. I figured if I could run an overnight camp of 15+ kids, parenting one or two children would be a breeze. Spoiler alert- that was a funny, naive thought. My own kids are far better off because of everything I’ve learned from the relationships I’ve created with my student’s parents over the years. You all have let me into a sacred place to walk along side your kiddos and I truly couldn’t be more honored.

Many of the parents I personally work with have paved the way to change education options in AZ for children with special needs. One of the unique options we have here is the Empowerment Scholarship Account, or as we all call it- ESA. Students can apply to receive up to 90% of the state funds that would be allocated to them for a public school education and it gets placed in a monitored bank account for parents to use to educate their child in a way that best meets his or her needs. The funds can be used for qualified therapies, activities, tutors, private schools, home based curriculums and more. The program is LIFE CHANGING for these students and it’s truly something that every state should adopt.

ESA has made it possible for so many more kids to have access to equine assisted activities and therapies.

For many of the students we work with, a traditional school model really isn’t the best fit. One size does not fit all and they need to be engaged in their learning through movement and practical application. They lacked the functional skills to be able to perform expected classroom behaviors and that often snowballed into challenges with self esteem, confidence and willingness to try. When they were younger, the horses grounded them and helped them learn how to build these functional skills. As they grew up, this shifted to include using the horses to teach necessary life skills and vocational skills.

ESA has allowed us to think outside the box and expand from traditional equine therapies to a small academic school and what I am now calling “Equine Assisted Education.” Dreams do come true.

One of the major perks of working in this field is getting to know all the kick a** parents. I used to think parenting would be easy. I figured if I could run an overnight camp of 15+ kids, parenting one or two children would be a breeze. Spoiler alert- that was a funny, naive thought. My own kids are far better off because of everything I’ve learned from the relationships I’ve created with my student’s parents over the years. You all have let me into a sacred place to walk along side your kiddos and I truly couldn’t be more honored.

Many of the parents I personally work with have paved the way to change education options in AZ for children with special needs. One of the unique options we have here is the Empowerment Scholarship Account, or as we all call it- ESA. Students can apply to receive up to 90% of the state funds that would be allocated to them for a public school education and it gets placed in a monitored bank account for parents to use to educate their child in a way that best meets his or her needs. The funds can be used for qualified therapies, activities, tutors, private schools, home based curriculums and more. The program is LIFE CHANGING for these students and it’s truly something that every state should adopt.

ESA has made it possible for so many more kids to have access to equine assisted activities and therapies.

For many of the students we work with, a traditional school model really isn’t the best fit. One size does not fit all and they need to be engaged in their learning through movement and practical application. They lacked the functional skills to be able to perform expected classroom behaviors and that often snowballed into challenges with self esteem, confidence and willingness to try. When they were younger, the horses grounded them and helped them learn how to build these functional skills. As they grew up, this shifted to include using the horses to teach necessary life skills and vocational skills.

ESA has allowed us to think outside the box and expand from traditional equine therapies to a small academic school and what I am now calling “Equine Assisted Education.” Dreams do come true.