Healing Strides

11/07/2025

A huge thank you to all those that helped make our 4th Annual Healing Strides of Virginia Golf Tournament a huge success!

A special thank you to our “Reserve Champion” Sponsor, Deborah F. Beran Inc - Deb Beran Properties and our “Blue Ribbon” Sponsor, Carter Machinery for their continued support of our event!

Thank you to all those that played and supported the event! And a special Congratulations to our winning teams:

Overall team champions – Joanna Gruver, Louis Masini, Bob Farley, George Chaconas

Men’s team champions – Dan Shervey, Joe Shervey, Perry Kairis, Jerry Adcock

Women’s team champions – Deb Beran, Lori Hairfield, Jen Chaconas, Diana Clements

Thank you to our other sponsors:

“Horses love Beer” - Davis, Davis, Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law

“Jolly Ball” - Uttermost

“Carrot & Peppermint” - Kelly Hayes

“Carrot & Peppermint” - RVO

“Beverage” - Hilltop Mulch

“Carrot & Peppermint” - Tim and Vickie Bibee

Hole - Xavier Preud'Homme

Hole - Rockydale Quarries

Hole - Cooper Woolson

Hole - Cooperson Construction

Hole - Ferguson Land and Lumber

Hole - The Anderson Family

Hole - Pro Air Aviation

Hole - Joey Cornwell

Hole - Farm Credit

Hole - Jo & Co Jewelers

Donors – Midpoint, IPPY'S RESTAURANT Roanoke Country Club, The Water's Edge Country Club, The River Course and The Waterfront Country Club

11/05/2025

ICYMI: We're auctioning off a signed Taylor Swift guitar - so obviously, we had to imagine our ponies as Taylor's album covers. Which one is your favorite? Leave us a comment below!

Bidding is live now through December 15th: https://bit.ly/taylorswiftguitarauction

11/04/2025

Thanks to the WSLS 10 / WSLS.com team for shining a light on the challenges so many veterans face!

For many veterans, the battle doesn’t end when they leave the military the invisible wounds of war like PTSD and lonliness can be harder to fight than any enemy.

11/03/2025

Icefield, affectionately known around the barn as "Ice", is our 2025 Horse of the Year!

This extraordinary thoroughbred from Kentucky embodies patience, kindness, and heart. Since arriving in 2016, he has carried riders of all abilities with grace, strength, and quiet determination. From first lessons to moments of healing, Ice has given his all with steady spirit and endless generosity. With gratitude to Dee’Anna Wright for sharing this once-in-a-lifetime horse with the Healing Strides family.

11/01/2025

SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! Charitable auction open!!
Bidding is now LIVE to take home an authenticated autographed Taylor Swift guitar!

Generously donated by an anonymous supporter, all proceeds from this auction will go to our equine assisted therapeutic programming, which serves individuals across more than 65 different diagnoses, from veterans to at-risk youth to those with personal challenges.

Share this post to help us reach as many Swifties as possible!

Bidding is open now through December 15th: https://bit.ly/taylorswiftguitarauction

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! 🎃🐴

We had a spooky fun time at our Halloween schooling show last weekend!

10/30/2025

With the current uncertainty around SNAP benefits and food insecurity in our community, we are going to be collecting food to benefit Transition Basics, an organization in Franklin County that (among other awesome things) helps keep our neighbors fed. We have set up 2 bins at the barn to drop off goods! Text or call (540) 613-1827 with any questions.

Here is a list of suggested items:
Canned fruit
Soups
Stews
Chef boyardee items
Canned tuna
Canned chicken
Spaghetti and sauce
Instant rice
Potatoes of any kind
Mac and cheese
Canned beans such as
Pinto, black, great northern white beans etc
Instant oatmeal
Juices
Pancake Mix and syrup
Bread
Eggs
Meats of any kind

Small things of
Sugar
Flour
Vegetable oil or olive oil
Salt and pepper

10/29/2025

Meet one of our 2 inaugural Youth Volunteers of the Year, Sydney Anderson!

Sydney has been a part of the Healing Strides family since she was a young girl, and her unstoppable spirit made an impact from her very first lesson! Always eager to learn more about horses and what makes them so special, Sydney’s passion has only grown over the years. It led her to become an Instructor-in-Training, where she now gets to share her knowledge and passion with the next generation of beginner riders. A true horse girl at heart, Sydney’s dynamic influence on the world is only beginning!

We're also pleased to announce the creation of the "Sydney and Lolly" Fund, an emergency fund to provide ongoing access to equine-assisted services for children when coverage lapses. Sparked by the generosity of Sydney's family, this fund will ensure no one's healing journey is abruptly jeopardized. If you'd like to make a direct contribution to the Sydney and Lolly Fund, give us a call at (540) 334-5825.

10/27/2025

Meet one of our 2 inaugural Youth Volunteers of the Year, Lacy Simpson!

Lacy has grown up at Healing Strides, devoting her summers—and nearly every bit of free time—to learning and volunteering at the barn. Always willing to step up when she sees a need, Lacy has made a lasting difference in so many people’s lives. Over the years, she has grown into a hardworking, compassionate young woman whose dedication to serving others shines through in everything she does.

Lacy’s generous spirit and servant heart continue to inspire all who know her. To see someone so young give so much of herself with kindness, humility, and joy is truly a gift to Healing Strides.

10/25/2025

Introducing Volunteer of the Year 2025, Leslie Adams!

We're pleased to honor Leslie for her steadfast commitment to the mission of Healing Strides and her willingness to do whatever is needed, from preparing horses for programs to lending a helping hand wherever it’s required. Her loyalty, kindness, and genuine heart have made Leslie an indispensable part of our family and an inspiration to all who serve beside her.