Riding to the rescue

The Hugs Foundation supports people and animals in a way that benefits both.

Creating a unique atmosphere of well-being for all in an inclusive, safe and nurturing environment, The Hugs Foundation rescues and rehabilitates horses and ponies, endeavouring to find them forever homes. Hugs provides a lifeline to these equines in need who may have experienced, neglect, abuse or abandonment. All the rescues are rehabilitated through individual programmes using ethical and empathic training techniques to create positive experiences for the rescues, enabling them to trust humans and build their confidence. Many of these programmes are integrated with the well-being support Hugs provides, creating a circular relationship where both animals and humans benefit from spending time together and caring for each other.

Situated in a unique, nurturing environment, Hugs’ well-being team supports children, young people and the elderly community. Their mix of support includes; animal assisted services, therapeutic outdoor learning, ecotherapy, teambuilding, arts and crafts, nature walks and practical skills such as horticulture. The team are specialists in their field and work in a person-led, holistic way. This ensures service users are the centre of their own recovery, allowing the Hugs team to support the individual to find their own answers and give them tools and mechanisms to keep the positive changes going once they have finished their time at Hugs. 

Hugs also takes its amazing, rescue well-being pony, Dude, out to care homes, nursing homes and hospices. Many of the residents they visit are bed-bound or only able to participate in activities within the grounds of their home. Along with the unique textures, comforting smells and gentle company that a visit from Dude brings, it is also found that Dude’s presence is able to unlock forgotten memories, whether that’s from a childhood pet or their own experiences with equines – this has at times left care givers speechless or emotional.

Since opening in 2017, Hugs has helped over 900 young people and conducted over 7,950 hours of sessions, with outcomes including reintegration into school, decreased anxiety and depression, increased social inclusion, diminished suicidal thoughts, and improved life skills, coping mechanisms and resilience for long term impact. They have also rescued over 235 horses and ponies (and an array of other animals that now make up the Hugs team) and rehomed over 200. Hugs relies on the generosity and compassion of its supporters to continue their lifechanging work.

THE HUGS FOUNDATION
www.hugsfoundation.org.uk