Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Holzhacker.
Hi Hayley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hello! My name is Hayley Holzhacker. I am an avid equine professional and work in higher education. I founded a nonprofit Impact Horse – Connecting Humans and Horses which focuses on the therapeutic and healing benefits with horses. Impact Horse is a fully philanthropic endeavor. All of the funds we raise from offering our services go directly to our equine-assisted programs and our mini horse mascot. I am currently located in Southern Maine which is a wonderful place to visit. We have delicious lobster, beautiful coastal towns and excellent activities for folks of all ages and interests. I am glad I was able to integrate my passions and aspirations into a fulfilling career supporting graduate students, but I can also share my joy of horses with others on weekends.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not always been an easy journey. I like to think of obstacles as a way to test our resilience and strength. As we know, everyone is on their own journey. Hard times are a part of life and nobody is exempt. It is how we overcome these obstacles and rise to the challenge that matters the most.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most known for my passion of helping people and my love for animals. I work in higher education as a Graduate Advisor supporting students pursing their master’s via Distance Education. I am most proud of my ability to remain positive and optimistic even when things are difficult. I am a very strong individual. I go above and beyond expectations and am a very hard worker. I am dependable, reliable, supportive and love a good laugh. Something that sets me apart from others is that I can wear multiple hats and I would consider myself a jack of all trades. I am not afraid to try new things and will always speak up for those who cannot do so.
I am a strong advocate for animal welfare. I enjoy sharing the benefits of equine-assisted learning opportunities with rescue horses and sharing the multiple ways horses can get a new “job” after being on the track, stepping down from the show ring, or being rescued. My Graduate capstone from when I achieved my Master’s in Nonprofit (NGO) Management at Johns Hopkins University was called Rescue Remedy: Connecting Humans and Horses TM. This was an experience for individuals of all backgrounds and all levels of equine experience to connect and learn about the therapeutic benefits of animals while supporting the mission and vision of a nonprofit equine rescue & rehabilitation center in our community. It was hosted at the MSSPA (Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals) in Windham, Maine. The MSSPA does excellent work helping rehabilitate, train, and rehomes rescue horses that have been neglected or seized. You can learn more about the MSSPA here: https://www.msspa.org/
Impact Horse had the honor of supporting the 2024 Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston, Maine with our therapy horse mini mascot “Toast.” We were thrilled to meet strong cancer survivors and have time with the Dempsey Dogs.
Patrick Dempsey is a kind, generous, and humble soul who gives back to his hometown of Lewiston, Maine. The tremendous impact his family has made within the community is astronomical. The Dempsey Center does fantastic work for people impacted by cancer all at no-cost.
They are making life better for people impacted by cancer providing personalized care through counseling, support groups, nutrition, integrative therapies, movement and fitness, and more—at no cost. Read more about their tremendous and much needed work here:
Impact Horse-Connecting Humans and Horses proudly hosts Mini Horse Yoga in collaboration with Ashley Flowers yoga in Portland, Maine.
Ashley Flowers Yoga: https://ashleyflowersyoga.com/poses-with-ponies/
You can sign up and learn more at: https://www.impacthorse.org/mini-horse-yoga/
Impact Horse operates strictly off of private donations and small grants when they are available. We greatly appreciate your support!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes, healthcare and frontline workers are amazing and do not always get the recognition and support they need! Our healthcare system needs to address the systematic and societal issues contributing to the debilitating long shifts/hours, and understaffing issues within healthcare and beyond. Doctors and nurses deserve to have a better work-life balance. We need to offer better resources for mental health & burnout support. Healthcare professionals deserve to have time off for self-care. Even if it was a rotational self-care schedule, little things go a long way when people are giving and taking care of others for a living. Employers (large hospitals and companies) can make an impact here.
Thank you for reading.
Please check out the work we do at Impact Horse and consider making a contribution. All amounts are welcome and appreciated. We greatly appreciate your support and generosity which allows us to offer our equine-assisted programs at low cost to the community. www.ImpactHorse.org
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ImpactHorse.org
- Instagram: @impacthorse501c3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impacthorseminihorses
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayleyholzhacker
