We will never turn down the opportunity to tell the story of Whispering Grace Horses and Freedom Farm. To be featured in the first issue of 2025 of Canton Lifestyle Magazine is certainly an honor for us.
With the theme of Health and Wellness in the air comes a topic that has helped calm and ease the minds of many across the globe, the use of therapy animals. However, this is not traditional therapy, horses become the center point of healing. At Whispering Grace Horses and Freedom Farm, Bill and Marcia Shearer created a place where individuals from all sorts of backgrounds and some rescued horses can find a tranquil place to take deep breaths.
Starting back in 2012, the Shearer’s started their equine-human relationship program for youths, their families or anyone who wants to explore the program. Being horse enthusiasts since their youths was second nature for these two. Being educators within Stark County, they witnessed their share of young people struggling with relationships and broken families. Throughout their lives, they have recognized the ability horses have to partner with humans, “healing” their spirit. Now, they serve over 400 families and have an annual count anywhere between 2500 and 3000 visitors. Their program has been serving the greater Stark County Community all this time, providing hourly sessions for children, adults, veterans and first responders at no cost.
In 2015, they built a new state of the art equine facility to house their seven horses. This was only the beginning. Only three years later Freedom Farm was built housing an additional six horses. A place where veterans, first responders, and families can come and just take deep breaths; a place dedicated to welcome those who have served, those who continue to serve and the families of the fallen. Recently a Chapel has been built and new memories are being created.
Now the question arises, why horses? Putting aside Bill and Marcia’s history with horses, there has been much evidence and research showing that human-horse relationships can change one’s feelings and identify negative emotions. Whispering Grace Horses has realized that horses help to Heal the negative emotions within people. “Many of our horses have been rescued in some manner,” says Bill Shearer. Some have been poorly treated or have had negative experiences with people. Now they are willing to trust with those who come for sessions. Gabe is a great example. This horse was in a great deal of pain, but after evaluation, hospitalization and healing, we believe he said "thank you" for the first time in his life. His “horsenality” has improved immensely.
All horses have insight of our own negative experiences. We believe our horses have developed their own form of PTS(Post Traumatic Stress). Whispering Grace Horses and Freedom Farm provides a place of recovery for these horses to shed their bad memories and flashbacks. “It could be the wind or change in temperature that reminds them of those memories. It could be even our tone of voice.” Recognition of these signs within our observations can make a huge difference. All of this is why Bill and Marcia open their arms and services to Veterans and First Responders who might be suffering from PTSD. Children and families may also be struggling to connect. “When you come into our barn, you will leave in a better way than when you came” states Bill. “This is our goal.” We cannot ask all those who come to forget their bad experiences but we can ask them to set aside such memories for maybe 60 to 90 minutes. It is almost magic to see what happens next. Those individuals return for a second and third time usually bringing an additional person along to share their experience.
When asked about the type of sessions that are held, it depends on one thing – patience. These sessions are about working with horses and establishing a special bond. Bill, Marcia and other volunteers have the knowledge necessary and don’t need any lesson plans for those who come. Sometimes, there will be a session where the individual will spend time just sitting down with a horse or they may just be leading the horse. Either way, such sessions will further intensify the bond between the horse and the human. Sessions vary each visit but one thing remains constant. The horse and those who represent Whispering Grace Horses and Freedom Farm simply care about making it a better day.
These sessions act as a way to search and find a relationship. There may be moments where the horse might even ignore the person. That is why these sessions are successful. Patience must prevail until a connection occurs.
All of what has been accomplished at Whispering Grace Horses and Freedom Farm could not have been possible without the advice, guidance and direction of our Board of Directors. Our Volunteers are here everyday of the week to help keep our two facilities looking immaculate and work with horses so they are ready for our sessions. Pathway Caring for Children, Weaver Leather, Masters Equine(Jake Masters), Kimble Companies, Ventrac Tractors, Bair’s Lawn & Garden, and Toro are just a few of our wonderful partners. All of them just want to help Heal Hearts and reopen the door of HOPE for so many.
We thank the Canton Lifestyle Magazine for the opportunity to in some small way tell just a small part of our story of Whispering Grace Horses and Freedom Farm. We still have our challenges each day but will strive to help others who visit each of our facilities. There will never be a charge for any of our services. We only have one requirement. You have to want to come; then our equine counselors take over!
To learn more about Whispering Grace Horses and Freedom Farms and how you can do your part to continue helping please visit www.whisperinggracehorses.org.
“It’s not all about the horsemanship; it’s all about the relationships.”
"Our goal is to make someone feel better leaving than when they came.”