For Kelly Vicari, one unforgettable experience with a horse helped reveal her purpose.
Vicari is the founder of Healing with Horses Louisiana, a nonprofit in Folsom that uses equine therapy to help people facing emotional, physical, and life challenges.
She says she will never forget one of the program’s first clients — a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time but had not shared the news with anyone.
Then, Vicari says one of the horses began responding to her in a way she had never seen before.
“He had been nudging on her arm, actually almost massaging her arm,” Vicari said. “The lymph nodes of the arm where he was nudging and massaging is where the cancer was.”
Vicari says the moment was emotional for everyone watching.
“We were all in tears because we knew it was a sign,” she said. “This horse picked up on it, and he was so involved in her emotion.”
That experience, Vicari says, helped her find her calling — using the natural instincts and intuition of horses to help others.
“I cannot train the natural instinct and intuition to which they read the person who is with them,” Vicari said. “They can measure heart rate and breathing.”
Vicari opened Healing with Horses Louisiana to provide equine therapy to people who need support, connection, and compassion.
The nonprofit serves cancer survivors, veterans, people struggling with depression and anxiety, those with autism and special needs, and others facing difficult moments in their lives.
The program also brings horses to nursing homes, including bedside visits for people who may not be able to travel.
“We turn no one away,” Vicari said.
Many of the horses themselves have second-chance stories. Vicari says nearly all of the animals are rehabilitated former thoroughbred racehorses — horses that once competed on the track and now help provide comfort and healing.
The nonprofit will hold its 3rd annual gala November 6th at the Fleur De Lis Event Center. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will serve as keynote speaker. Tickets are still available. Click here for more information on how to purchase tickets.
READ MORE:From racehorses to healers: Northshore nonprofit uses horses to bring hope and healing
