Harmony Acres Equine and Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs
Harmony Acres Equestrian Center, 1451 O Rd, Loma, CO 81524
About
Harmony Acres Equine and Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs offers Equine-Assisted Therapy services, Animal-Assisted Therapy services, Therapeutic Riding, Mental Health Therapy, a Veterans Program, and a Recreational Program. The program is a community-based equine and animal-assisted therapy center that includes approximately 15 horses, 10 ponies, and a variety of other small animals, and its sanctuary is a lifelong home to approximately 40 animals.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Business Hours: By Appointment Only
The mission of Harmony Acres is to create a place where people and animals come together for the purpose of healing. Harmony Acres actively seeks to serve individuals who have experienced trauma, abuse, or hardship, military veterans, and individuals with disabilities, and 85% of program participants have a high financial need. The program states that it offers an inclusive environment regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, national origin, age, creed, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, and it actively seeks to serve those who have experienced discrimination, victimization, disability, or hardship. Community Outreach efforts assist individuals struggling with a temporary hardship so animals can stay out of the slaughter pipeline and in long-term homes where they are loved and valued. Harmony Acres has over 100 volunteers, 11 staff and contracted agents, and holds events including a talk by Temple Grandin titled “Celebrate Neurodiversity” and a gala event called “Our Gala Has Gone to the Animals.”
In 2014 a small group of people and horses began offering Equine-Assisted Therapy services on a leased facility in Mesa County, and in 2017 Harmony Acres was able to purchase its own property in Loma, Colorado. In the past 10 years, over 2400 individuals have benefitted through professionally facilitated therapeutic sessions, and what was accomplished in 2024 includes data labeled 2021.
The Board of Directors includes Becky Snyder (President), Mike Hansen (Vice-President), Auralea Ninemire, Dr. Janet Palm, Cody Gordon, and Jackie Rudiger. Staff members include Christina Douglass, LCSW, Executive Director; Morgan Kareus, Programs Director; Robert Brode, Development Director; Kristin Moore, LSW; Michele Mummert, LPCC; Deb Crooks; Josie Robinson; Zave Adcock; Alarain Barnhart, Animal Care Coordinator; Karen Caton, Office Manager; John McKinney, Facilities Manager; Karen McKinney; Kim Riggle; and Kacie Plunkett. CHRISTINA DOUGLASS, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with an undergraduate degree in equestrian science. Programs Director Morgan Kareus is a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and graduated with a BS in Biology. Kristin Moore, LSW, graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Masters in Social Work with an emphasis in Veterinary Social Work in 2022. Michele Mummert, LPCC, is a retired Army Veteran who has been providing counseling services at the Grand Junction Vet Center for the past 7 years and has extensive training in military-related issues such as Military Sexual Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Suicide and Adjustment Related Disorders. Deb Crooks is a USDF Silver Medal Dressage Rider who has over 30 years of experience training horses and teaching riders and was inducted into the Colorado Plateau Horseman's Hall of Fame. Alarain Barnhart has a two-year degree from the Equine Science program in Rangely, Colorado, and a PATH-certification for mental health programming.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Business Hours: By Appointment Only
The mission of Harmony Acres is to create a place where people and animals come together for the purpose of healing. Harmony Acres actively seeks to serve individuals who have experienced trauma, abuse, or hardship, military veterans, and individuals with disabilities, and 85% of program participants have a high financial need. The program states that it offers an inclusive environment regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, national origin, age, creed, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, and it actively seeks to serve those who have experienced discrimination, victimization, disability, or hardship. Community Outreach efforts assist individuals struggling with a temporary hardship so animals can stay out of the slaughter pipeline and in long-term homes where they are loved and valued. Harmony Acres has over 100 volunteers, 11 staff and contracted agents, and holds events including a talk by Temple Grandin titled “Celebrate Neurodiversity” and a gala event called “Our Gala Has Gone to the Animals.”
In 2014 a small group of people and horses began offering Equine-Assisted Therapy services on a leased facility in Mesa County, and in 2017 Harmony Acres was able to purchase its own property in Loma, Colorado. In the past 10 years, over 2400 individuals have benefitted through professionally facilitated therapeutic sessions, and what was accomplished in 2024 includes data labeled 2021.
The Board of Directors includes Becky Snyder (President), Mike Hansen (Vice-President), Auralea Ninemire, Dr. Janet Palm, Cody Gordon, and Jackie Rudiger. Staff members include Christina Douglass, LCSW, Executive Director; Morgan Kareus, Programs Director; Robert Brode, Development Director; Kristin Moore, LSW; Michele Mummert, LPCC; Deb Crooks; Josie Robinson; Zave Adcock; Alarain Barnhart, Animal Care Coordinator; Karen Caton, Office Manager; John McKinney, Facilities Manager; Karen McKinney; Kim Riggle; and Kacie Plunkett. CHRISTINA DOUGLASS, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with an undergraduate degree in equestrian science. Programs Director Morgan Kareus is a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and graduated with a BS in Biology. Kristin Moore, LSW, graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Masters in Social Work with an emphasis in Veterinary Social Work in 2022. Michele Mummert, LPCC, is a retired Army Veteran who has been providing counseling services at the Grand Junction Vet Center for the past 7 years and has extensive training in military-related issues such as Military Sexual Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Suicide and Adjustment Related Disorders. Deb Crooks is a USDF Silver Medal Dressage Rider who has over 30 years of experience training horses and teaching riders and was inducted into the Colorado Plateau Horseman's Hall of Fame. Alarain Barnhart has a two-year degree from the Equine Science program in Rangely, Colorado, and a PATH-certification for mental health programming.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
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