This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
BELLEFONTE — Tucked quietly into the rolling hills of Centre County, Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center is more than a barn; it’s a lifeline. For veterans grappling with PTSD, individuals living with developmental disabilities and those navigating trauma or grief, the farm offers an unconventional but powerful kind of therapy: horses.
Founded in 2015 by Cindy Kocher, Rising Hope emerged from her own journey through tragedy. After losing her husband in a car accident while searching for a farm to call home, Kocher found herself alone with nine horses, nine dogs and a broken heart.
“I was suicidal at different times,” she recalled. “The horses helped me through it.”
That bond became the cornerstone of what Rising Hope is today: a nonprofit, community-driven space where healing begins in the barn.
Kocher, who also works full-time at Geisinger Health Plan, manages the center with the help of a small, dedicated staff and a rotating crew of about 50 volunteers.
“We’re really a family here,” Wendy Harter, a longtime volunteer who feeds, cleans stalls and assists with lessons, said.
The volunteers fill many roles. Some focus on fundraising, others work directly with horses, and still others help with administrative tasks. The center only has one paid staff member and compensates instructors per lesson, keeping the overhead low and the impact on those who visit high.
From its humble beginnings, Rising Hope has blossomed into a thriving support system for more than just riders. Each week, individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and other developmental conditions show up early and eager to bond with their assigned horse. One young boy with cystic fibrosis recently had the staff in tears of laughter after pulling a prank from the saddle.
“They can be themselves here,” Kocher said. “They’re accepted for who they are, and the horses accept them too.”
The therapeutic benefits go well beyond the emotional. Horseback riding strengthens core muscles, improves balance and enhances coordination. But there’s something deeper happening. Something that touches the soul.
One veteran, diagnosed with terminal cancer, came to Rising Hope on what he thought might be his last wish: to ride a horse.
“He told me, ‘As soon as I walked in the barn, I felt the connection,’” Kocher said.
Today, he’s not only cancer-free but an active volunteer and advocate for the program.
Veterans receive special attention at Rising Hope. They aren’t charged for lessons, which are individualized and can include grooming, groundwork or riding. Whatever the participant feels comfortable with that day, they are able to do. Sessions last about 90 minutes and instructors often work one-on-one to build trust and confidence.
“We never turn anyone away due to finances,” Kocher emphasized.
That generosity is made possible in part by support from Centre County United Way and local organizations like the Hawbaker Golf Outing, VFWs and American Legions.
Partnerships do not end there for Rising Hope. They also work closely with Skills, where they offer a weekly group session for adult riders, the YMCA and the Tides Group, which provides support to children and teens who are grieving over the death of a loved one.
Rising Hope is holding day camps in partnership with the Tides group on Saturday, July 12, and Friday, July 18, being held at the farm.
While Rising Hope runs on passion, it still faces the financial pressures that come with caring for horses such as feed, vet bills and facility maintenance, all of which can add up quickly.
The center recently launched a gun raffle to raise funds, and Kocher dreams of someday installing a well and plumbing to add a proper bathroom and lounge space for volunteers and families so they are comfortable watching while their family members or loved ones participate in a session with the horses.
They also hope to put a roof over the outdoor riding arena, which was generously donated by the State College Downtown Rotary Club, to make lessons more comfortable during hot summer months.
“These horses are what keep the program alive,” Kocher said. “Our biggest costs are their care, and we’re constantly fundraising just to meet those needs.”
The reward is evident. Watching a nonverbal child guide a horse through the arena or a veteran lead a horse calmly down the lane is proof enough that the work matters. It’s not just about riding, it’s about reclaiming joy, finding purpose and rediscovering one’s independence while being accepted.
“As long as I’m alive, this place will keep going. My goal is that someday no one will ever have to pay to come here,” Kocher said, making her vision clear.
Rising Hope is a place where hope literally rises again, on four legs, with a mane and a heart big enough to carry the weight of healing.
To donate, volunteer, or learn more about Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center, visit risinghopetrc.com or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/RisingHopeTRC. Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome and every dollar or hour helps carry hope just a little further.
