About Us

We help horses and we help people. Specifically, we help veterans, active-duty military, firefighters, law enforcement, EMT's, ER doctors and nurses, dispatchers, and related emergency personnel (current and retired) who are experiencing stress related to their service. We also help immediate family members to any of the above because we know the effects of stress often extend into the home. 

We are located on the outskirts of Redding, CA on a small 5 acre ranch where our horses live and our sessions take place. (One day we hope to go on the road and visit those who aren't able to travel to us! But until then all sessions take place here.)

Anyone who is eligible and interested can fill out our online sign-up form. From there, we usually schedule a time for you to tour the ranch, meet our horses, and learn about what we do. If you decide you would like to continue coming out we will schedule your sessions weekly, monthly, or on an as-needed basis. Our goal for you is stress reduction, so however that can best be accomplished is how we will tailor your time with us.

For some, the most therapeutic thing to do is stand and brush a horse. Others want to simply sit and watch the horses graze under the blue sky. For others, peace and fulfillment comes from helping out and so they spend their time helping our horses who need physical therapy (taking them for walks, etc.) or helping around the property. Others say they want to build confidence or reduce their anxiety, and so we work on relationship-building and connection with the horses - many of whom have struggled with similar challenges. 

Many people who sign up say they "just want some peace," and we believe we are able to offer that.  It comes from the quiet, the stillness, the sense of grounding that comes through the eyes and presence of a horse. And for many, as a deep connection forms with the horse a sense of healing starts to fill them. 

We don't offer therapy; we offer connection and companionship. There is no program. There is no set agenda. We will guide your time with us based on what you express to us.  You are not committed to a certain number of sessions or a certain number of weeks. It is all flexible based on what you need. If you think this is something that could benefit you, we would love to hear from you.

For more information or to schedule a time to visit, contact us at carryingheroes@gmail.com or fill out our Sign-up Form. What we offer is always free.

In August of 2019, a few team members of Exodus Farms began to talk about starting a program to serve our heroes. The idea was sparked after two local veterans with no connection to each other had asked within the same week if such a program existed. 

By February of 2020, the Carrying Heroes program had launched and weekly sessions were being offered to veterans, first responders, and immediate family members. But it soon became clear that this small program within Exodus Farms was supposed to become much more.

In January 2021, Exodus Farms made the announcement that The Carrying Heroes program was sprouting wings and becoming its own 501(c)3 nonprofit with the sole mission of serving our heroes and their families.