Our Staff
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HELEN GRABEN
Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Happy Hooves and Eden Farms I’ve been an animal lover all my life, but it wasn’t until my daughter started riding at Eden Farms that I became a horse lover and eventually a rider. Over the years, I began to volunteer with Happy Hooves and joined the board because I wanted to support this great organization. As our wonderful senior instructor began to plan her retirement in 2020, I realized that I wanted to expand my involvement and become a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor myself. I also earned my certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. I’m grateful to be able to work with our students in many ways and to help coordinate the growth of Happy Hooves and its mission. |
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I have had a love for horses all of my life with some of my first horse memories being when I followed my sister to our neighborhood barn to help clean out stalls so we could have a ride on one of the herd that our neighbors owned. Our parents ended up buying a little Quarter horse/Arab cross mare out of that herd after they saw the level of commitment my sister and I both had. That was the beginning of my life with horses at age six that has continued to this day. I currently have my own barn and have had the pleasure of having one of our ponies at Happy Hooves for a number of years before she retired back to our barn. I have volunteered, served on the Happy Hooves Board and am now working towards my certification with PATH to be a Certified Therapy Riding Instructor. It is such a joy to work with the students and celebrate their progress and connection with the horse each time they ride. I am thankful to have this opportunity to share in the healing power of the horse.
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BECKY SWEENEY
Equine Specialist and Barn Manager Eden Farms, Proud Home of Happy Hooves I help riders of all ages and abilities enjoy and improve their lives through equine related programs and therapies. It’s exciting to know that God's magnificent horses can be used to run fast, jump high, and hit the trail, but deep down I felt they could do even more and have greater purpose. In therapy lessons, I see people's perspectives changed, hope restored, and healing begin when they interact with horses. This isn't just a rare peek every once in a while: we see it all the time at Eden Farms. Every time you work with the horses it is like a blank slate: no judgments or presuppositions. Like with Christ, horses do not judge and accept you where you are. Everyday is different (and busy!). I love working with my family, being outside with the horses, and knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of others right here in the Upstate. When I graduated college, I was sure I wanted to live overseas as a missionary, but now I know this is my mission field. Since Happy Hooves was started in 2005, the more I see the effects of equine therapies, the less I truly understand as to what is really happening with the healing and growth-taking place. I believe that God has a special plan and purpose for every person (and horse!) that comes through our barn gates. My job is to give them the best horse experience I can with the resources I have available to me. I am an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, and wear many hats at Happy Hooves. I am happily married and mother of three great children, I co-lead two different Girl Scout troops, am a class mom for First Presbyterian Academy, as well as active in my church. |
