Today we’d like to introduce you to Teri Hamann.
Hi Teri, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband, a retired police officer, and I, both children of veterans and police officers, founded our non-profit organization. Our mission was to give back to our community. Inspired by our personal experiences with special needs family members and the mental health challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we sought to create a unique therapeutic approach that transcended traditional methods.
Horses are extraordinary partners in equine-assisted therapy. They possess an innate sensitivity that allows them to sense even the subtlest human emotions without judgment. This fosters an environment where individuals can uncover emotional blind spots, promoting genuine emotional and psychological growth.
According to the 2022 Cumberland County Needs Assessment, substance abuse, mental health access, and adverse childhood experiences are among the top concerns in our community. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, underscoring the urgent need for therapeutic interventions that extend beyond traditional office settings. Our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offers community-based, equine-assisted programs that provide accessible and effective support.
Our success can be attributed to the unwavering support of our community, partners, the dedicated staff, volunteers and board members who make Deer Run Ranch the serene sanctuary it is today. We have mental health professionals on staff with diverse expertise, including trauma-informed, PTSD, anxiety, depression, cognitive disorders, behavior concerns, and more. We work with both children and adults. Our horses and donkeys are amazing sentient beings. Many of them came out of the slaughter pipeline through a local horse rescue we adopted them from. They each have a story but they teach us to be in the present and demonstrate the meaning of resiliency. Additionally, we are a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Member Center, an internationally recognized organization that sets the standards and protocols for equine-assisted services.
The services we currently offer include equine-assisted learning, which focuses on social well-being through ground work; equine-assisted psychotherapy, where licensed mental health professionals develop customized approaches to improve emotional health and manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges; and therapeutic riding, led by a therapeutic riding instructor, which can have profound physical and emotional benefits to participants.
Our greatest achievements are evident in the lives we have touched. For instance, an adolescent autistic girl in our program experienced a remarkable transformation. She transitioned from frequent emotional outbursts to effectively self-regulating and expressing her emotions positively. This positive change has had a profound impact on her family and educators.
Together, we remain committed to fostering resilience, healing, and hope within our community. Through meaningful human-horse interactions, we aim to create lasting change and support the emotional well-being of those we serve. Our mission is to help others experience balance, harmony and healing through the power of horses.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We face similar challenges similar to those encountered by new for-profit startups, such as establishing our brand, generating awareness and interest in our services, and building a clientele. However, non-profits have an additional layer of complexity due to our heavy reliance on donations and grants for our operations. Fundraising is particularly challenging in today’s environment, as most non-profits across various industries have experienced declining donations year over year. Moreover, many organizations that offer grants require multiple years of financial records before an application can be submitted, further complicating the process for a young non-profit.
For our clients sometimes the hardest thing to do is to ask for help. This makes it essential for our message to be able to reach those who would benefit from our services. There is still a stigma attached to mental heath issues and seeking help. We work every day to help people understand that this is a safe, non-judgmental place that is here for them when they are ready.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I had a thirty year career in the Technology Industry. Most recently I was a Senior Vice President and Global Chief Operating Officer for a prominent multinational technology company. After 19 years with them, I decided to retire and received an offer to join a large consulting firm at the partner level. However, something within me compelled me to embark on a completely new journey. My husband Derek, a retired police officer, understands the stress and anxiety that first responders endure. Spending time on our ranch, surrounded by the fresh air and the companionship of animals, has a profound restorative effect on our soul. Consequently, after two months of retirement, my husband and I made the decision to open Deer Run Ranch Equine Connection in order to help others.
I utilized my business strategy and operations background to build and execute our business plan. I have also become certified as an equine specialist in mental health and learning and participate in designing and running sessions for clients. In addition, we sought out expertise of those who have run similar equine-assisted businesses to help with getting the business off the ground and to serve as sounding boards as we grow.
What were you like growing up?
I’m originally from Chicago and the youngest in a very large Irish family. From a young age, my parents instilled in all of us a strong work ethic. I’ve had some sort of job since I was twelve years old. I was very athletic and played several sports, including volleyball. I’m also a singer, so theater has always been a passion of mine. However, from my earliest memories, I’ve had an absolute love of animals, especially dogs and horses. As a child, I always tried to bring home sick or neglected animals to try and help them.
As I grew older I started horseback riding. There is such a feeling of freedom and strength on the back of a horse. Riding helped improve my stress levels and reduced my blood pressure and pulse rate. You don’t even have to ride to experience the benefits. That is why we are so excited and honored to open our ranch to our clients. There is something special about this land and we are blessed to be able to share it with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drrequineconnection.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamann.teri/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566599215848
Image Credits
Heather Good Photography
