Teens Healing with Horses

Why are kids so depressed today, and how can animals help them heal? This episode features Kim Swaney, the  Executive Director of Happiness Through Horses, talking about what she sees as this generation’s greatest  challenges. You will learn: 1. What’s causing depression in our youth.  2. What parents can do to help their kids when they struggle emotionally.  3. How encouraging leadership skills in our youth strengthens our communities.  A study guide as well as all the resources related to this episode are available at  www.hopefuldawn.com/podcast Kim Swaney is the Executive Director of Happiness Through Horses in Colorado. The foundation was  started to bring much-needed resources to families that normally would not have the opportunities to heal and  learn through horses. This work allows Kim to bring her favorite beings (horses) together with her calling and  passion which is kids.  Kim has worked in many professional worlds, banking, retail, childcare, veterinary assistant, Property inspection  and preservation and held many nonprofit volunteer positions. Her life experiences have helped her become an  expert in the field of youth development. She finds the work challenging yet very rewarding. Her compassionate  and heart-centered life is spent dedicated to the well-being of at-risk children and young adults in her  community. The work has just begun. “We are so excited to be on the path to changing many lives for the better  that will not only impact families but whole communities.” Kim grew up in a military family, frequently moving from place to place until she was 12 years old with an older  sister, and a special needs little brother who has since passed. Settling in Colorado was a blessing as this was  where she eventually met her husband, Chris, of 33 years. Together they have raised 3 beautiful, smart and  talented daughters. Kim in her "spare" time is expanding and managing their 40-acre property (The Happiness  Ranch) which is now the home to HTH.In 2016 Kim was honored to be chosen as a Colorado Women of Influence Women of Vision through in northern  Colorado. Being Philanthropic at heart, Kim believes strongly in collaboration and service to other people with  challenges in life.  Host Dawn Day has a BA in Psychology and has worked as a gifted and talented teacher, a counselor in a group home for  emotionally disturbed boys, a tutor in a psychiatric hospital, and a video producer who has interviewed over 600 people in  her career. She is a mother of three daughters, all of whom have suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts and attempts. She is the author of Helpless Night, Hopeful Dawn: Staying Positive and Proactive When Your Child is Suicidal. Ten percent of proceeds from the book will be distributed to anti-suicide programs through her Shine the Light Fund. Find out more about Dawn Day’s mission at www.hopefuldawn.com

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