What is H.E.A.L.S. (“Horse Energy Alleviates Living Scars)?

HEALS RETIRES

Arising out of a well-attended Seminar, in May 2005, on The Role of the Horse in Human Therapy, a body called HEALS (Horse Energy Alleviates Living Scars) was founded by Kevin G.A. Smith.  HEALS is a voluntary non-profit making body.  Previously, Kevin had founded and ran a leading management development consultancy for over 30 years.

HEALS received generous funds to support its activities from Paddy Power Bookmakers (via Ken Robertson) in recognition of the 21 years Kevin Smith devoted to representing Irish Racegoers and Punters as Chairman/President of the Racing Club of Ireland.

A couple of years ago HEALS attracted 40 members but they were spread across the country and  in England, Germany, and Belgium – making it  difficult in the long-term to form a viable organisation structure.  So, we stopped taking membership subscription fees two years ago.

Lately, Kevin Smith had to make three visits to hospital – which has slowed him down. That said, tremendous promotional work through seminars and courses and other such activities (e.g. The Dr. Maire O’Connor Memorial Scholarship) was effected.  Later in the year, we will write up a summary of our work over the past six years.

The  Riding for the Disabled Association does excellent work – here, in N.I. and in Britain  (with Mary Walsh, Chief Childrens’ Officer and Noneen Fox, Chief Instructor) -  for the disabled.  We hope that they will increase their involvement in Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning.

We were very fortunate to have been able to team up with the great Rancho Bosque Team from Tucson, Arizona, led by Professor Allan Hamilton, his wife Dr. Jane and the great barrel racer Samantha Biffar.

The work of HEALS must now be concluded.  For their contributions, our thanks to Mary Walsh, Carmel Burke, Terry Burke, Billy Colbert, Jed van de Poll (who constructed our applauded website) and, particularly, to Rosaleen Smith.