Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Gammon, Julie Jensen, and Hilary Funk.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The HorsePower Experiential Learning Program was founded in 2001 and is the longest running behavioral health equine program in the Greater Kansas City area. HorsePower offers a unique equine facilitated, hands-on, learning program for at-risk youth ages 6-18. Children and teens who have hopes and dreams for their lives but due to circumstances have developed emotional or behavioral challenges. Our doors are open to meet with youth who struggle with emotional issues, including PTSD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorder, to name a few.. When at-risk youth enter our program they become our students.
A majority of our students have limited success with establishing healthy relationships with people but are open to being authentic with horses allowing students to focus on something beyond themselves. In group sessions, students are part of a 10-legged team…a Mentor, a HorseHandler and a horse. These teams stay together for the 7-week class. Each week’s lesson builds on the previous, culminating in healthy relationships with their team members, hands-on knowledge of basic horsemanship skills and relearning social skills that may have been diminished in the past. Those social skills include things like respect, trust, empathy, boundary-setting, responsible use of power and control, patience, teamwork and more. In addition, HorsePower acts as an additional advocate for each student on their road to personal well-being. Our instructors and mentors provide weekly feedback to each student’s therapists or parents/guardians. These written notes assist in the full-circle of help for each of our students.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of HorsePower’s biggest struggles has been not having a permanent, private “home.” Since 2001 the program has been in five different locations. But in March of this year, we signed a 20-year lease for property that will be for HorsePower’s exclusive use. This has already proven to me a huge answer to past struggles – like horse health, confidentiality for the students and attracting new volunteers. Our biggest struggle at the moment is not being able to offer group sessions through the winter because we do not have an indoor arena. We are in the beginning stages of a capital campaign to raise funds to construct a space that will allow for year-round programming.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Non-profit
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most valuable lesson learned along the way is the value of volunteers – they are priceless! Until last year, HorsePower was completely run by volunteers. In 2024 we were able to hire a part-time Executive Director and pay our contracted licensed counselors who provide one-on-one services,, which has been amazing. However, all other facets of the program are still volunteer managed. Since March 1, 2025, 95 unique volunteers have recorded over 3,400 hours donated to HorsePower. From feeding and exercising horses, to building fences and painting, to serving as Mentors and HorseHandlers – this time is valued at over $114,000* (based on the national average of $33.49/hour for volunteers. We work hard to praise, empower, and recognize volunteers as much as possible.
Pricing:
- $100 scholarships a single session for students needing one-on-one sessions.
- $455 scholarships a student to participate in a 7 week group session.
- $300 is the amount to join The Herd, an exclusive community of supporters helping bring HorsePower’s mission to life.
- $540 covers farrier and basic vet care for one horse for a year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://horsepowerkids.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horsepowerkids/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horsepowerkids
