Lend-A-Heart Ranch and Rescue
Giving Hope, One VET at a Time
Our Ranch, Our Purpose
Nestled in Belton, Lend-A-Heart offers animal rescue and Veteran Equine Programs. Beyond providing care, it connects animals with families and hosts educational events. Here, compassion thrives, fostering a sense of community with each interaction. Our free pet food pantry serves local families every other Saturday. Reach out to us at (254) 624-9212 for more information.
Experience a welcoming and committed space where animal care and veteran support thrive together. Our partnerships and passionate team transform lives through trust-building activities and award-winning equine programs. Join us in crafting a positive impact on both veterans and animals, fostering community bonds and sharing meaningful experiences each day.
Beginning in 2010 as a small rescue, we've become a community cornerstone. Our 2019 pet food pantry gives support to local pet owners. In 2023, we introduced our Veterans program, offering healing and hope to those who served. With our partnerships with APHA and NSBA, our veterans have already achieved remarkable success, placing in the top 10 of world show standings.
Horses as Partners in Healing
How Horses Reflect Our Emotions
Horses provide immediate feedback based on your emotions, energy, and actions, acting as mirrors that reflect the vibes we give off. People working with horses naturally develop strategies to control anxiety, build assertiveness, and cultivate self-confidence through these honest interactions. When a horse responds positively to a calm, confident approach, it reinforces those same qualities in the handler. This natural feedback loop creates powerful learning opportunities that transfer to human relationships and everyday situations.
Building Trust Without Words
Horses provide us with a means of communication for trust and companionship without requiring verbal expression. We develop trusting, working relationships with them based solely on our physical presence, energy, and non-verbal cues. This silent communication creates a unique connection that can be especially valuable for veterans who may struggle to express trauma verbally. The authenticity of this wordless bond often reaches emotional depths that conversation alone cannot access.
Research-Backed Benefits
Studies show that interactions with horses can lead to a decrease in general anxiety, physical pain, irritability, and fatigue while increasing energy, self-confidence, and trust. Research specifically focused on veterans with PTSD and depression has demonstrated clinically significant reductions in negative symptoms through equine interactions. Peer-reviewed journals have documented these benefits, including studies by Lanning, Wilson, Krenek & Beaujean (2017) and Lanning, Wilson, Woelk & Beaujean (2018), providing scientific validation for what we observe daily in our program. These findings support our commitment to equine therapy as an effective complement to traditional treatment approaches for veterans.