As a two-time cancer survivor who lost her husband to the disease, Becca Smith has an intimate understanding of the power of equine therapy.

“The horse is a wonderful, gentle creature that can provide to an individual – who is in need of comfort – solace and quiet moments,” said Smith. “I know when I’m low, this is where I come.”

This is Stone Crop Farm, her home in Glenmoore. The bucolic setting is surrounded by acres of woods and open fields and is where the nonprofit Horse Power for Life provides professional horsemanship instruction to people of all ages who have been affected by cancer.

“Scientific evidence has shown that a decrease in stress and the ability to find peace within you is a very important factor in staying healthy and fighting illness,” said Smith, who is the Senior Riding Instructor for Horse Power for Life.

The nonprofit prides itself on being able to offer its services free of charge to cancer patients, survivors, and those who have lost a loved one to this terrible disease. It will soon host the fundraiser – the Annual Pink Horseshoe Gala – that is critical to fulfilling its mission to help families living with cancer focus on their minds, bodies, and souls, rather than the disease.

The 13th edition of the Pink Horseshoe Gala will be held on April 4. Horse Power for Life’s yearly program – which guides individuals through all aspects of horse care during sessions that are customized based on age, skills, experience, comfort level, health, and physical ability – and summer pony camp are primarily funded by money raised at the Gala.

“It’s important to provide the program for free to families because they are going through so much, and they have a lot of financial responsibilities in terms of doctor’s appointments and co-pays,” said Shiree Radie, the President and Co-Founder of Horse Power for Life. “We just don’t want money to be an issue at all.”

The theme of this year’s Gala is “Havana Nights.” The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, a cocktail hour, dinner food stations, five hours of open bar, music, dancing, live and silent auctions, and raffle baskets.

Your ticket will go a long way toward helping cancer patients, survivors, and their immediate family members who participate in Horse Power for Life’s programs improve their physical and emotional quality of life.

“Many studies have shown that horses are very therapeutic,” said Radie. “Horses help people to reduce their anxiety, and that, in turn, increases survivorship.”

Click here to purchase tickets for Horse Power for Life’s 13th Annual Pink Horseshoe Gala.

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