BraveHearts
BraveHearts is a 501c3 nonprofit therapeutic riding center operating two Illinois facilities, delivering equine-assisted services — therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and psychotherapy — to military veterans at no charge and to children and adults with disabilities on a subsidized basis.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersHarvard, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What BraveHearts does
BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2002 by Marge Tautkus Gunnar in Harvard, Illinois, and self-described as the largest equine-assisted services program for veterans in the United States. The organization operates two purpose-built facilities — a 20-acre site in Harvard and a 17-acre, 55,000-square-foot site in Poplar Grove acquired via the 2010 merger with The Bergmann Centre — housing a herd of 50+ therapy horses, heated indoor arenas, ADA-accessible buildings, and a conference center. In 2025, BraveHearts acquired Perks Ranch, further expanding its facility footprint. BraveHearts is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center and an American Hippotherapy Association facility member, holding EQUUS Foundation Guardian and Candid Platinum transparency designations.
The core service portfolio spans three modalities: Therapeutic Riding (recreational horsemanship instruction for children and adults with disabilities), Hippotherapy (Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy using equine movement as a treatment strategy, delivered by licensed therapists), and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (mental health therapy delivered by licensed clinical psychologists, social workers, and professional counselors). A flagship veteran program launched in July 2007 with Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs grant support delivers recreational riding lessons and mental health services to military veterans and one accompanying family member at no charge — 100% subsidized. Specialized offerings include the Trail to Zero veteran suicide awareness ride (conducted across 11+ U.S. cities and in France), Operation Mustang, the Memorial Ribbon Program, and an unpaid internship pipeline.
Revenue mechanics blend donations and grants (the dominant stream, including Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs support and Vehicles For Veterans in-kind vehicle donations), self-pay therapeutic riding fees of $45-$80 per lesson, and insurance-billable outpatient clinic services (hippotherapy and EAP). Disclosed subsidy costs total $2.17M annually ($1.79M veteran, $257K therapeutic riding, $119K outpatient). The organization delivered an average of 230+ weekly service hours (75 therapeutic riding lessons, 40 hippotherapy sessions, 115 veteran/veteran family lessons) supported by 517 volunteers contributing 31,966 hours annually.
BraveHearts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BraveHearts
- Legal name
- BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center
- Website
- https://braveheartsriding.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BraveHearts is a 501c3 nonprofit therapeutic riding center operating two Illinois facilities, delivering equine-assisted services — therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and psychotherapy — to military veterans at no charge and to children and adults with disabilities on a subsidized basis.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BraveHearts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Therapeutic Riding and Equine-Assisted Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
Keywords
Where BraveHearts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Harvard
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
BraveHearts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: As a 501c3 nonprofit, BraveHearts relies heavily on donations from individuals, businesses, and grant funding. The organization receives support from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and other grantors. Total cost of hours subsidized for veterans alone was $1,791,539. EIN 32-0034746.
- Therapeutic Riding Fees: Self-pay therapeutic riding services for children and adults. Costs range from $45-$80 per lesson based on type (group, semi-private, private) and length (30 or 60 minutes). All participants receive some level of subsidy.
- Insurance Billing for Therapy Services: Hippotherapy and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy services are billable through insurance as physical, occupational, speech therapy, or psychotherapy services. Self-pay options also available.
- In-Kind Donations: Accepts donations of horses (sound horses only with clean bill of health), vehicles through Vehicles For Veterans partnership, and other in-kind contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Veterans and Veteran Family Members - Free |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Therapeutic Riding - $45-$80 per lesson |
| Subscription | Monthly | Outpatient Clinic Services - Insurance billable |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
BraveHearts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BraveHearts is a 501c3 nonprofit therapeutic riding center that delivers equine-assisted services using horses as therapeutic partners. Its core offerings include therapeutic riding lessons (recreational horsemanship for children and adults), hippotherapy (physical, occupational, and speech therapy using equine movement as a treatment strategy), and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (mental health therapy with licensed clinicians). All military veterans and one immediate family member receive services at no charge, funded through donations and grants.
Product overview
BraveHearts is a 501c3 nonprofit therapeutic riding center offering a comprehensive portfolio of equine-assisted services. The organization operates as a single unified service model centered on healing horsemanship through horses. Core offerings include Therapeutic Riding (recreational riding instruction for children and adults with disabilities), Hippotherapy (Occupational, Physical & Speech Therapy using equine movement as a treatment strategy), and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (mental health therapy provided by licensed social workers and psychologists). The organization provides dedicated Veteran & Veteran Family Services at no cost, including recreational riding lessons (up to 2 per week) and EAP sessions. Specialized programs include Trail to Zero (awareness rides for veteran suicide prevention), the Memorial Ribbon Program, Exercise Rider/H.E.A.R.T support program, and an unpaid Internship Program. Services are subsidized through donations and grants, with veterans receiving 100% subsidized care.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Therapeutic Riding Equine-assisted recreational riding instruction for children and adults with various diagnoses including autism, anxiety disorders, and PTSD, delivered by PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructors to build horsemanship skills and promote recreation. Lessons are offered in group, semi-private, and private formats (30 or 60 minutes) priced $45-$80 per lesson, with 78% of costs subsidized.
- Occupational, Physical & Speech Therapy (Hippotherapy) Physical, occupational, and speech therapy utilizing equine multidimensional movement as a treatment strategy, provided by licensed therapists (SLP, OT, PT). Horses deliver movement that increases trunk strength, control, balance, range of motion, and sensory integration. Insurance-billable; 38% of costs subsidized.
- Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) Mental health therapy incorporating unmounted and mounted activities with therapy horses, provided by licensed social workers, licensed clinical psychologists, and licensed professional counselors. The therapy horse provides feedback by responding to an individual's thoughts, actions, and energy to facilitate emotional healing. Insurance-billable as psychotherapy services.
- Veteran & Veteran Family Services Equine-assisted services for U.S. military veterans and their families, including recreational riding/groundwork lessons (up to 2 per week) and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, offered at no cost to veterans and one immediate family member/caregiver (100% subsidized). Includes Operation Mustang for veterans using mustang horses.
- Trail to Zero Awareness rides held in cities across the nation (NYC, Chicago, Bull Valley, Houston, Fort Wayne, Lexington, Deauville France, Normandy France, St. Louis, Washington DC, and Cora Wyoming) to raise awareness of veteran suicide prevention and educate the public about equine-assisted services. Supported by mounted police units including NYPD, US Park Police, Chicago Mounted Unit, Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police, and HCSO-Mounted Patrol.
Quantifiable outcome
- Veterans experience reduced anxiety through Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use BraveHearts
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BraveHearts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
BraveHearts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Vehicles For VeteransminorVehicles For Veterans is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) car donation organization benefiting BraveHearts with proceeds from vehicle donations across the U.S. This partnership provides an alternative way for donors to support BraveHearts through vehicle donations, which benefits donors with free towing and tax deductions.
- PATH Intl. Premier Accredited CenterscoreBraveHearts maintains an internally developed database of PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers across the nation to aid in referring Veterans who are not local to their Illinois farms. BraveHearts is itself a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.
- Local VA's and Veteran Service OrganizationscoreBraveHearts partners with local VA's, Veteran Service Organizations, and local programs with Veteran serving missions to provide innovative equine-assisted services. These partnerships serve as the primary referral pathway for veteran clients.
- NYPD Mounted UnitminorNYPD Mounted Unit supports BraveHearts' Trail to Zero rides in New York City, standing behind the mission to raise awareness of veteran suicide and the healing power of horses.
- US Park Police Mounted Horse UnitminorUS Park Police Mounted Horse Unit supports Trail to Zero rides, providing support for awareness events.
- Chicago Mounted UnitminorChicago Mounted Unit partners with BraveHearts for Trail to Zero rides in Chicago, supporting veteran suicide awareness efforts.
- Kentucky Horse Park Mounted PoliceminorKentucky Horse Park Mounted Police support Trail to Zero rides and the mission to end veteran suicide.
- HCSO-Mounted PatrolminorHCSO-Mounted Patrol supports Trail to Zero rides in standing behind the mission to put an end to veteran suicide.
- Tempel FarmsminorTempel Farms generously donated Neapolitano IV Almira (Huey), a half-brother to Max (the founding inspiration horse), to BraveHearts upon his retirement from the Tempel Farms quadrille at age 22. Max's daughters Karma and Phaedra were among BraveHearts' first therapeutic riding horses.
- American Hippotherapy AssociationcoreBraveHearts is an American Hippotherapy Association facility member center. This affiliation provides credibility and access to best practices in hippotherapy treatment strategies.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BraveHearts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited nonprofit therapeutic riding center in Augusta, Michigan offering therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities. Closely comparable mission, programming mix, and accreditation profile to BraveHearts.
- Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: Nonprofit PATH Intl. Premier Accredited center in Loveland, Colorado providing therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted activities for people with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Comparable multi-modality service model and nonprofit scale.
- Mane Stream: New Jersey-based nonprofit offering equine-assisted services including therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and adaptive riding with a similar credentialed clinical staff model. Directly comparable as a regional PATH Intl. center with insurance-billable services.
- High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited nonprofit in Old Lyme, Connecticut offering therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted services to children, adults, and veterans. Highly comparable mission and clinical programming.
- Equest: Large Texas-based nonprofit PATH Intl. Premier Accredited center providing therapeutic horsemanship, hippotherapy, and mental health services. Comparable scale, multi-modality service mix, and equine-facility footprint.
- STRIDES: Oregon-based nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship center offering equine-assisted services to people with disabilities including veterans. Comparable nonprofit operating model and clinical service mix.
- Pegasus Therapeutic Riding: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited nonprofit therapeutic riding center offering equine-assisted activities and hippotherapy across multiple sites. Comparable accreditation, credentialed instructors, and clinical programming.
Others
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.): The certifying and accrediting body for equine-assisted services in the U.S. and the professional association BraveHearts belongs to. Not a direct competitor but the standards-setting and referral-network enabler for the entire sector.
- American Hippotherapy Association: Professional association for hippotherapy clinical practice. BraveHearts is a facility member and uses AHA treatment principles; AHA represents the clinical/educational backbone of BraveHearts' hippotherapy service line.
- EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): International professional association setting standards for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. Functions as an alternative accreditation network to PATH Intl. and shapes the EAP competitive landscape.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BraveHearts social profiles
Digital presenceBraveHearts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BraveHearts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
BraveHearts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BraveHearts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BraveHearts
What does BraveHearts do?
BraveHearts is a 501c3 nonprofit therapeutic riding center that delivers equine-assisted services using horses as therapeutic partners. Its core offerings include therapeutic riding lessons (recreational horsemanship for children and adults), hippotherapy (physical, occupational, and speech therapy using equine movement as a treatment strategy), and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (mental health therapy with licensed clinicians). All military veterans and one immediate family member receive services at no charge, funded through donations and grants.
Is BraveHearts a public or private company?
BraveHearts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was BraveHearts founded?
BraveHearts was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BraveHearts based?
BraveHearts is headquartered in Harvard, United States, in the North America region.
How does BraveHearts make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are therapeutic Riding Fees, insurance Billing for Therapy Services and in-Kind Donations.
Who are BraveHearts's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center, Mane Stream, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Equest, STRIDES and Pegasus Therapeutic Riding. Others are Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), American Hippotherapy Association and EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association).
Does BraveHearts have an API?
No public API is recorded for BraveHearts.
What industry is BraveHearts in?
BraveHearts's product category is Therapeutic Riding and Equine-Assisted Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAOAG, Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 621340 and its SIC code is 8300.