Fulton County Ohio Media

Last Monday, November 17^th, a Ribbon Cutting was held at the H.O.O.V.E.S. (Healing Our Veterans) Sanctuary and Healing Center located on Wilkins Road in Swanton, to introduce the public to the recent facility upgrades through the amazing generosity of many local business owners.  HOOVES is a non-profit organization dedicated to their mission of “Bringing veterans and rescued horses together in life-changing experiences, creating powerful bonds that heal, restore purpose and empower new beginnings.”

The organization is run by Amanda Held, founder and CEO of HOOVES and a team of volunteers.  Amanda is a Mustang gentler, equines services facilitator, and a SMSgt in the Michigan Air National Guard.  She is also a published author and passionate advocator for veterans healing.  Amanda’s own journey of overcoming challenges inspires the work at HOOVES.

Prior to officially cutting the ribbon in front of a large crowd of supporters, Amanda gave the following speech:

Community members, veterans service organizations, volunteers, staff, and veterans. Thank you all for being here today. This is a special moment for HOOVES, because it represents what happens when a community decides to invest in the healing of our veterans. These upgrades are not just improvements to our property. They are acts of generosity that will directly impact the men and women who come here to rebuild their lives.

I want to begin by thanking the Ohio Contractors Association for rallying around this project and bringing together an incredible team of partners.

Miller Bros. for the excavation and leveling in the back area.  Crestline for the asphalt installation.  Shelly and Gerken for providing asphalt.  E.S. Wagner for the excavation and stone prep for the driveway.  SanJan Trucking, Ebony, and Green Earth Transportation for providing trucking and topsoil.

Heidelberg Materials for donating the stone for the driveway.  Mosser Construction for the concrete work around the house.  Exceed Trucking for providing additional trucking.  All Ohio, part of Shelly Co., for providing concrete.  Kuhlman, part of Gerken Co., for providing concrete as well.

Each of you contributed in a way that goes far beyond machinery, materials, or labor. You created access. You created safety. You created an environment where veterans can step onto this property and feel supported from the moment they arrive.

I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to Window World for donating all of the new windows throughout our retreat center. These windows do more than brighten a room. They let in hope. They make this place feel warm, safe, and like home for the veterans who stay here during our healing intensives.

Every one of you has played a role in transforming this sanctuary into a place where breakthroughs happen every day. A veteran will walk down this driveway and take their first deep breath in years. Someone will sit inside and look out through these windows and see a future they thought they had lost. Your work and your generosity make that possible.

On behalf of our team, our volunteers, our horses, and every veteran whose healing journey begins right here, thank you. This ribbon cutting is more than a ceremony. It is a celebration of what we can accomplish when a community stands with its veterans.

Thank you all so much.

Following the ribbon cutting, a luncheon was held inside the “Bunkhouse” with donated food provided by the Whitehouse Inn.  If you would like more information on HOOVES, you can checkout their website at hooves.us or send an email to info@hooves.us or call 419-930-7936.