Abuse Victims (Animals and Humans) Get Together

Two nonprofits in Georgia, one that helps abused people and one that rescues abused animals, had an idea. What if they got together for mutual support? The results have been promising.

Hope for Hooves takes in neglected and abused equines and equine-adjacent creatures: horses, donkeys, llamas, cows, pigs, sheep, goats. The GLM2 Foundation (“God Loves Me Too”) is “dedicated to eradicating the damage caused by sex trafficking and domestic violence by building and providing safe dwelling places and long-term aftercare for women, and their children.” Both groups are in Augusta.

“When you have an abused animal and an abused person, and you bring them together, they help to heal each other very quickly,”  GLM2 founder Kimberly Walden tells ABC News affiliate WJBF.

The horse helpers’ farm is a safe, nurturing place for their rescues and for the humans who visit it. “Anyone is welcome to come out and experience the healing nature of our farm,” the Hope for Hooves website promises. “Those suffering with PTSD, anxiety, depression, autism; and anyone who may be battling inner turmoil.”

The synergy has been transformative to both groups. They help each other in ways that traditional therapy may not. 

“It’s a beautiful process to watch both animals and humans heal,” says Walden.

Photo credit: Hope for Hooves