Mane In Heaven

What Mane In Heaven does

Mane In Heaven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in Barrington, Illinois, that provides equine-assisted therapy and activity programs through a herd of eight miniature therapy horses (Poppy, Willow, Pixie, Winnie, Lovie, Hope, Tinker Bell, and Spirit). The organization is 100% volunteer-run and delivers visits to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, senior communities, veterans programs, and corporate workplaces throughout the Chicagoland area, plus virtual experiences through social media channels. Its program portfolio includes Make Inclusion Happen (sensory-friendly visits for children with complex medical needs or disabilities), Minis and Movies (family events pairing horse visits with film screenings), Lovie's Library Club (free literacy program with monthly virtual story times), Peace with Ponies (mindfulness-based sessions), and Corporate Wellness (workplace stress-reduction visits).

The underlying operational technology is the proprietary M.E.R.I.T. Training Program and the CEATH (Certified Equine-Assisted Therapy Handler) certification, standards developed specifically for miniature therapy horses and required for all volunteer handlers. A practical differentiator is that all eight horses are potty-trained, enabling safe indoor visits to healthcare facilities, schools, and other environments where conventional therapy animals cannot operate. The organization has been recognized with consecutive 2025 and 2026 Equus Awards and maintains a multi-channel marketing presence across Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube, and email newsletters.

The business model is a contribution-based nonprofit model rather than a commercial revenue model: visits are offered free of charge with suggested donations to cover fuel and expenses, while revenue is generated through individual tax-deductible donations, recurring horse sponsorships ($50/month minimum for one year), corporate sponsorships (Visa, Capital One, Disney, Grainger), community fundraising events, and grants from foundations such as the Barrington Area Community Foundation and Double Good Kids Foundation. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on a Visit Request Form on the website, direct outreach to facility partners, and grassroots volunteer networks. No government contracting, fee-for-service billing, or commercial revenue lines are disclosed.

Name

Mane In Heaven

Legal name

Mane In Heaven

Website

https://maneinheaven.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mane In Heaven is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapy and activities through eight miniature therapy horses, serving hospitals, schools, senior communities, veterans programs, and corporate workplaces in the Chicagoland area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG), Mindfulness-Based Coaching & Training (MBSR/MBCT-style) (HSADAJAB)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Animal-assisted activities
• Therapy horse visits
• Nonprofit therapeutic services
• Sensory-friendly programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Barrington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit's mission of promoting empathy and well-being through miniature therapy horses.
2. Sponsorships: Monthly sponsorship program where donors support specific miniature therapy horses, receiving updates, photos, and certificates. Minimum $50/month for one year.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Support from corporate partners like Visa, Capital One, Disney, and Grainger who sponsor the organization's programs and events.
4. Fundraising: Various fundraising activities and events to support the nonprofit's operations and program delivery.
5. Grants: Grant funding from foundations and organizations to sustain and expand programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mane In Heaven is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free miniature therapy horse visits to facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, senior communities, veterans programs, and corporate workplaces in the Chicagoland area. The organization pairs trained volunteer handlers with eight potty-trained miniature horses under its M.E.R.I.T. program and CEATH certification to provide equine-assisted therapy and activity programs. Programs include Make Inclusion Happen, Minis and Movies, Lovie's Library Club, Peace with Ponies, and Corporate Wellness, complemented by virtual visit experiences through social media.

Product overview

Mane In Heaven is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted therapy and activity programs through miniature therapy horses. The organization offers a portfolio of service programs including Make Inclusion Happen (sensory-friendly visits for families with children with complex medical needs or disabilities), Minis and Movies (family events with mini horse visits and movie screenings), Lovie's Library Club (free literacy program with virtual story times), Peace with Ponies (mindfulness-based experiences), Corporate Wellness (workplace wellness visits), and traditional in-person and virtual miniature therapy horse visits to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and senior communities throughout the Chicagoland area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Make Inclusion Happen Sensory-friendly visit program supporting families with children who have complex medical needs or disabilities through inclusive experiences that promote joy and meaningful interaction with miniature therapy horses.
• Minis and Movies Family event featuring mini horse visits followed by a movie screening, combining entertainment and therapeutic connection in a single experience.
• Lovie's Library Club Free literacy program offering an official Library Card and Bookmark to registered participants, with monthly virtual Mini Story time hosted by Lovie and a special guest reader.
• Peace with Ponies Calming, mindfulness-based experience in which participants slow down, breathe, and relax alongside miniature therapy horses.
• Corporate Wellness Workplace program that brings miniature therapy horses to corporate sites to help employees reduce stress, recharge, and reconnect.
• Miniature Therapy Horse Visits On-site miniature therapy horse visits delivered to facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, senior communities, and other organizations, providing comfort, connection, and joy.
• Virtual Visits Virtual experiences delivered through social media channels that allow people to connect with the miniature therapy horses when in-person visits are not possible.
• Equine-Assisted Therapy & Activity Programs (EAT/EAA) Wide range of equine-assisted therapy and activity programs encompassing hospital visits, rehabilitation visits, senior visits, and veterans programs delivered by CEATH-certified volunteer handlers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides emotional healing, stress relief, and improved mental well-being through equine-assisted therapy
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Shriners Children'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership providing hospital visits to pediatric patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children locations.
• Advocate HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership providing therapeutic visits to patients at Advocate Health Systems facilities.
• Ascension HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership providing therapeutic horse visits to Ascension Health facilities.
• Kohl Children's MuseumcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership with museum for educational and interactive programs featuring miniature therapy horses.
• Hill 'N Dale FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquine farm partnership supporting miniature horse breeding and care.
• Northern Lakes Equine PracticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary partnership providing equine healthcare services for miniature therapy horses.
• Mercy Home for Boys & GirlsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership providing therapeutic visits to children in need.
• Barrington Junior Women's ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization partnership supporting volunteer and fundraising efforts.
• The Service Club of ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerService organization partnership supporting community programs and events.
• All Community EventsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity events partnership for program promotion and engagement.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pet Partners: National nonprofit that registers and supports therapy animal teams (primarily dogs) for visits to hospitals, schools, and facilities. Directly comparable mission of animal-assisted interventions, though Mane In Heaven differentiates via miniature horses rather than dogs.
• Gentle Barn: Nonprofit sanctuary that uses rescued farm animals for therapeutic visits and youth programs. Shares the model of using animals as therapeutic agents for vulnerable populations and operates school/group visit programs similar to Mane In Heaven.
• National Center for Equine-Assisted Therapy: Provides equine-assisted therapy and activities to people with disabilities, mental health needs, and at-risk youth. Closely aligned clinical model using horses for therapeutic outcomes.
• Horses Healing Hearts: Nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy to children affected by trauma and family disruption. Comparable mission of using horse interactions for emotional/therapeutic outcomes in vulnerable youth populations.

Broad incumbents

• Equus Foundation: National charitable organization that awards the Equus Awards and supports equine-assisted therapy programs broadly. Provides industry-level recognition (the same award Mane In Heaven received) and grants to therapy horse programs.
• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): Sets industry standards and credentialing for equine-assisted therapy. Mane In Heaven's CEATH certification sits within the broader professionalization framework PATH supports.
• The Right Horse Initiative: Industry collaborative focused on horse welfare, adoption, and rehoming. Adjacent to Mane In Heaven's equine stewardship model and shares the equine nonprofit ecosystem.

Regional players

• Dream Catcher of Los Angeles Therapeutic Riding Centers: Therapeutic riding center serving children and adults with disabilities in Southern California. Comparable therapy-via-horses model but regionally focused on the West Coast.
• Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources: Indiana-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy to individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Comparable midwestern US geography and clinical equine therapy offering.

Others

• Latham Centers: Nonprofit serving individuals with complex medical, developmental, and behavioral challenges. Mane In Heaven's Make Inclusion Happen program serves a similar beneficiary profile through a different intervention model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/maneinheaven
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@maneinheavenminiaturethera4466
• Facebookfacebook.com/maneinheaven
• Instagraminstagram.com/maneinheaven
• TikToktiktok.com/@maneinheaven
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mane-in-heaven

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mane In Heaven