We will officially be ready to begin sessions after March 1, 2027. Sessions are weather dependent in the winter months. Call us for more information or to get your session with our equine partners on the books!
Heiwa Equine Connection, LLC
Humans helping horses; horses helping humans, one relationship at a time.
Healing Through Connection
Equine Assisted Services
Building Trust
Our Equine Assisted Learning programs foster trust and communication, helping both horse and human to navigate their emotional landscapes with the support of our clinicians.
Holistic Healing
Heiwa Center's holistic health services complement equine assisted services, offering a comprehensive approach to wellness that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.
Shared Experiences
Trauma-Informed Care
At Heiwa Equine Connection, we prioritize creating a safe space for healing. Our trauma-informed approach ensures that every individual feels valued, understood, and supported.
Building Connections Through Natural Lifemanship
At Heiwa Equine Connection, we utilize the principles of Natural Lifemanship to foster meaningful relationships between people and horses. Our approach is designed to help individuals overcome stress and trauma, creating a safe space for healing and growth. By understanding the unique language of horses, we guide our clients on a journey towards emotional well-being. Learn more about our methodology at Natural Lifemanship Institute.
Meet Cherie Weber, M.Ed., LMT
After nearly a decade of experience as a middle school educator, Cherie was looking to expand ways to help people; children and adults alike. She soon discovered her passion for holistic health and massage therapy. Together with her husband, Aaron, she founded Heiwa Center over 21 years ago, where they have been dedicated to providing massage therapy and other complementary therapies in order to bring a sense of health, well-being, and healing to others. Cherie's journey also includes teaching as a massage therapy instructor at Stark State College, and she holds certifications as a reiki master and craniosacral therapist. Her holistic approach extends to animals, particularly horses, where she has earned additional certifications in equine craniosacral therapy and reiki for equines.
What Cherie has found through her work with horses is that her equine counterparts often hold remnants of trauma, stress, and tension in their bodies just like people do, and that it is sometimes caused by past human interactions and misunderstandings. Her journey to find kind, healing ways to work with horses led her to the Natural Lifemanship Institute, where she found a way to interact with horses through connection and healthy relationships. This is where she received her training in equine assisted services as a trauma-informed equine professional. Cherie's mission is to foster wellness and healing for both humans and horses through meaningful relationships, which has led to the creation of Heiwa Equine Connection.
The Heart of Heiwa Equine Connection
Our horses are more than just residents; they are cherished members of our family. Each horse has a unique story that reflects resilience, healing, and companionship. Their journeys inspire our mission of healing through relationship.
Ama
Ama is the Navajo word for mother. She is our longest herd-member, having been with us for 8 years. Rescued from a situation of abuse and neglect, she was left in a pasture for years with a stallion which resulted in several offspring. All were taken in by the Humane Society and adopted out. Ama has embarked on a remarkable journey of healing, although we are careful not to limit her by defining who she is only by her past trauma. If we did, we would miss seeing the incredible horse she is! She has come a long way with us and seems to embrace life with intelligence and a playful spirit, especially when it comes to her favorite treats!
Willow
Willow has been with us for 7 years and is a true testament to adaptability. Originally adopted from the Humane Society, she found her way to us after her first owner realized she needed more care than expected. Despite being blind, Willow navigates her surroundings with incredible skill, showcasing her sharp senses. At 26 years young, she thrives on attention and loves being groomed.
Dolly
Dolly, named after the late great Dolly Parton, is a mustang adopted from a BLM in Nevada. She joined our family about 5 years ago. Trained by a specialist in mustangs, she brings a friendly, curious yet centered energy to our herd. Although she has a metabolic condition that limits her treats, her love for them remains strong, and she always seems to find joy in the little things, like eating snow!
Serena
Serena was adopted from Focus Rescue and Rehabilitation and is one of the sweetest horses in our herd. When she came to us, she seemed to lack a sense of purpose, which she now has found. She's independent and steadfast and is the first horse Cherie worked with during her Natural Lifemanship training.
Equine Assisted Learning Sessions
Individual EAL sessions are approximately 60-90 minutes in length. These sessions focus on one person as he or she practices nervous system regulation, learns about the ways horses communicate, and begins building his or her relationship with one of our horses while receiving support. *$65/session or sign up for a package of 4 consecutive sessions for $250.
Group EAL sessions are for 3-5 people and last approximately 90-120 minutes. In these sessions, small groups of people practice nervous system regulation, learn the ways horses communicate, and begin building individual relationships with our horses in a supportive group setting. *$50/person.
All sessions must be booked by calling Heiwa Center 330-859-2913, and are weather dependent in the winter months.
Workshops: We schedule workshops throughout the year that focus on being trauma-informed. We practice nervous system regulation and stress reduction through a variety of activities. Look for up-to-date information on Heiwa Center's Class Schedule link.
*Please arrive approximately 15 minutes early to sign intake forms and waivers. Activities can be done out in the open or in a covered space, but are still subject to weather changes as facilities are not heated. Please wear close-toed shoes and weather appropriate gear.
*Please note that this pricing reflects our current cash (self-pay) rate. Additional billing rates may apply.