Our Mission:
Freedom.
Offering individuals of all walks of life the opportunity to escape their current situation and enjoy freedom, control and healing while at our farm.
Our Mission
To create an experience for every visitor where they can find emotional and physical peace as well as healing. We strive to cultivate an oasis where anyone can come, leave their past behind, form a bond with an animal, learn a new skill, spend quality time with like minded people and walk through life’s struggles together. “Never walk alone!”
One of the ways we do this, is through our riding program for minors. We believe that the bond a child forms with their horse can not only be a source of healing, but also helps build trust, discipline, confidence, and courage. The goal of our scholarship program is to provide our students with this program, regardless of what their family’s financial situation is.
Our Story
Our story began in May of 2018 when Rick and Mary (founders of Black Bear Acres) decided to buy a piece of land in Errol, NH to establish a therapeutic riding center. In 2 short months, 15 acres of land had been cleared, de-stumped and excavated. Shortly after, pastures were fenced in, seeded and established. Numerous community members graciously partook in the project. By July, the foundation had been poured and a group of builders gathered to assemble the barn. In less than 12 days, the barn was built, stained and roofed. Friends and neighbors swung by before and after work to offer their assistance. Snow fell early in 2018, so the outside work came to an end pretty quickly. The winter of 2018-2019 consisted of interior finish work (stalls, electrical, etc.). Since then, we have developed the purpose of our farm and created individual programs that focus on the needs of our community and provide these services to the general public.
Rick and Mary were inspired to help in this way after both of their pasts were greatly influenced by these struggles. Rick has worked as a youth leader and has a passion for helping teens through difficult times. Mary’s first real interaction with horses was when she was a teen battling severe depression and anxiety. Coming from a troubled past, she found peace at the farm she worked at and healing through the programs they offered. Her motto is, “Be the person you wished you had when you were younger.” She has made it her life goal to walk alongside children who are going through similar struggles and offer them the joy and healing of farm life.
Horse Riding Program
While the focus of our riding program is to help children who are healing from trauma (whether emotional, physical, family related, etc.), we realize that working with horses can help with the development of any child. We have students who struggle with ADHD that use horse riding to learn how to focus and manage their emotions better. We have students who have been bullied and need an outlet where they feel safe, loved, and included. We have students that struggle with anxiety who learn that if they can control a 1200 lb. animal, they can face any fear in life with the same strength. We have students that struggle with depression who just want an equine friend to love and be loved on. We have students who have tried every sport their school offers and never found their “groove” until they tried horseback riding. And we have students whose parents wished for them to learn responsibility and respect. Or maybe a student just wants to try it because they have always loved horses and were never able to afford one of their own. We are offering all these students (and more) the opportunity to be included, to find a place where they feel safe, heard, and loved. Our hope is that they will learn from their horse, heal their hearts if there is that need, and grow in ways that only an animal can teach.
Mechanics Workshop
Mechanical Skills Workshops
As part of our third phase of development, we are building a workshop/ classroom to work with ADHD students and youth who have no college prospects. Our goal is to train them in the trades, mainly in automotive, truck and welding trades. Our plan is to offer these workshops free of charge and we are in our early fundraising stages.
Coos County is a demographic that struggles with poverty and drug addiction with limited resources for these individuals. It is our mission to make a difference for these children's current lives, but also their future. Rick (co-founder and vice president of Black Bear Acres) has been in the automotive industry for over forty years and will be teaching these classes.
If you are interested in being involved in this nascent project, we would be honored.
Are you interested in applying for either of our programs? Please contact us using the form below!
Be The Change You Want to See in the World!
Mahatma Gandhi
Our Team
Get Involved
Our organization is currently looking for volunteers who are willing to donate their time and expertise towards each individual program. We have a unique team of partners and board members. No matter what your occupation or talent, your assistance brings a new perspective and is much appreciated. For example, our board of directors consists of: physical therapists, an occupational therapist, a Youth Mentoring Coordinator at The Friends Program ( a non profit organization located in Concord New Hampshire for the benefit of at-risk youth), business entrepreneurs and health access representatives.
As our programs grow, we will have the opportunity and funds to hire instructors. Meanwhile, we need your help! Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? Are you looking for a source of fulfillment? Are you looking for volunteer hours that will benefit not only yourself but the child you are working with? Be the change you want to see in the world! Contact us today regarding your involvement in this exciting new project.
