Our vision is to create a community-based equine and animal-assisted therapy center where every individual can be offered the opportunity to connect with horses or other animals in a therapeutic environment. We believe animals can help bring out the best in everyone, and help us connect with our natural joy, strength, and purpose.
In 2014 a small group of people and horses began offering Equine-Assisted Therapy services on a leased facility in Mesa County, with the vision of creating a place that could serve the entire surrounding community with Animal-Assisted Therapy services. Now Harmony Acres has grown to include over 100 volunteers, 11 staff and contracted agents, 15 horses, 10 ponies, and a variety of other small animals, all with the mission of creating a healing place for animals and people. In the past 10 years, over 2400 individuals have benefitted through professionally facilitated therapeutic sessions joining people and animals at our facility.
In 2017, Harmony Acres was able to purchase it's own property in Loma, Colorado, which includes 24 acres, animal facilities, large indoor arena, small covered arena, and built-in offices, waiting room, and restrooms, all designed to be inclusive and handicap-accessible. We continue to work diligently to add needed features for our animals, clients and staff. Our next project phase includes adding a small animal barn and landscaping to offer better shelter to our residents and visitors.
Is our Executive Director and also a licensed clinical social worker. Christy has been working in the field of equine therapy for over 20 years now and has witnessed firsthand the miracles that can occur when horses are part of the therapy process. She has focused much of her training and education in learning how to help individuals who have experienced severe trauma, sexual abuse, or are diagnosed with PTSD. In addition to her therapeutic background, Christy has an undergraduate degree in equestrian science and is skilled in horse training, riding and equestrian vaulting. Christy's unique background and experiences give her the combination of skills needed to help make Harmony Acres a safe and joyful place for horses and horse-loving humans alike.
is our Programs Director and also a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Her horse background began at the racetrack and led her to find a career working with horses. She went to college in Arizona, and graduated with a BS in Biology. Morgan volunteered for many equine assisted therapy programs, and in March of 2013, was accepted into the PATH Approved Training Course at Equest in Wylie Texas, where she received her certification.
Morgan has been helping to make Harmony Acres an incredible place for all of our staff and clients since our beginnings in 2014.
graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Masters in Social Work with an emphasis in Veterinary Social Work in 2022. Kristin has extensive experience working with animals and people in therapeutic settings, including helping people through pet loss grief, and working with teenagers who have experienced trauma and other life difficulties. Kristin enjoys working with all people and all animals and learning from each of them. She has recently fostered a bunny for Harmony Acres and her pet bird Tiki always keeps her on her toes!
is a retired Army Veteran who has been providing counseling services at the Grand Junction Vet Center for the past 7 years. Michele has extensive training in Military-related issues, such as Military Sexual Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Suicide and Adjustment Related Disorders. Michele has a love of experiential therapies and animals, and is passionate about connecting Veterans to services in non-traditional formats such as at Harmony Acres.
is a USDF Silver Medal Dressage Rider who has over 30 years experience training horses and teaching riders. Deb began volunteering for one of our therapeutic riding sessions and became hooked! Deb offers a solid foundation for both horse and rider and is a wealth of knowledge and experience for our facility. Most recently Deb was honored by being inducted into the Colorado Plateau Horseman's Hall of Fame for her life-long contributions to horses and riders on the Western Slope!
Josie is a skilled horse trainer and instructor. Her natural, intuitive way with animals and horses has been indispensible to our team. She is also a skilled instructor who enjoys teaching both children and adults with a wide-variety of needs the basics of riding, while also empowering them to be their very best! Josie is currently working on her PATH-certification under the guidance of Morgan Kareus.
is a horse handler and peer specialist, working with Harmony Acres therapists to walk alongside youth and young adults as they go through treatment. Zave has a history working in the mental health field in a psychiatric hospital for three years, and now lends his experience to supporting Harmony Acres clients in their therapy sessions and treatment. Zave recently completed training as a peer specialist and will also be working with youth and young adults individually as a peer support specialist to support them on their healing path.
is our Animal Care Coordinator, who also supports all of our therapeutic programs through horse and animal-handling. With a two-year degree from the Equine Science program in Rangely, Colorado, a PATH-certification for mental health programming, and now 5 years of experience at our facility, Alarain is very skilled at supporting both animals and people in the therapeutic process. Her calm and thoughtful demeanor is equally supportive to our animals and our clients.
Is serving as our Office Manager, after 3 years of learning all about Harmony Acres through volunteering with the horses and therapy programs. Karen brings a wealth of knowledge to her position, with a various background that include everything from office management to quality assurance inspeactor for aviation gear! We are so grateful to have Karen in the office supporting all the programming and keeping us organized and on track!
as we call him, is an unstoppable force at our facility! As Facilities Manager he does everything from farming, to grounds management, to feeding and caring for our animals. John’s gentle nature and love of animals, along with his unstoppable drive to organize our facility, make him an invaluable member of our team!
has been with Harmony since our very beginings. Karen helps out with animal care and horse handling for Veterans sessions. Karen has attended many trainings regarding supporting Veterans and others in therapeutic sessions. Her passion for caring for animals and people make her a perfect fit at Harmony Acres.
helps us with feeding and animal care! Kim is experienced with taking care of both animals and people having worked in several child care positions and also having her own horse who she constantly learns from.
Check out our Calendar of Events!
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5:30pm Harmony Acres Board Meeting
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Phone: 970-261-5899
Mailing Address: PO Box 38, Fruita Co 81521 Located in Loma, Colorado
Business Hours: By Appointment Only