Meet Erin Chimberoff of Hand, Hoof and Heart in Marietta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Chimberoff.

Erin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started off my journey towards founding Hand, Hoof, and Heart by taking a job as a caregiver/nanny, in 2012, for a little boy that is diagnosed with non-verbal autism, cerebral palsy and hydrocephaly. After I realized that working with the special needs community was something I wanted to do full time, I decided to put my love for horses and my love for the community together by getting certified as a therapeutic horseback riding instructor through PATH International.

PATH International trains riding instructors to work specifically with the special needs community through multiple equestrian disciplines like typical English and western riding, as well as, driving and vaulting. I received my certification and officially founded Hand, Hoof, and Heart in 2014. I started by building the program out of a local show barn where I was also working as a beginner riding instructor, as well as branching out in the community by working privately with clients towards their goals of independent living.

The Hand, Hoof and Heart program originally started out with three horses, five regular riders, and three regular volunteers. In November 2015, HHH moved to its current location and began growing rapidly. We grew from just offering therapeutic riding lessons and independent living services to offering neurotypical riding lessons, an equestrian club for a local non-profit school, vocational and fitness coaching, summer camps and a special Olympics equestrian team!

Since 2014, we have grown to four instructors, six program horses, 22 families served weekly through our lesson program, and over 20 regular volunteers.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I never knew I would end up where I am today. I began studying for my certification while I was still in school, my attempt at a third college, and only finished my certification after withdrawing from school completely. All the while I was working through my severe social anxiety. I had no experience working in a small business setting, let alone running my own. I didn’t fully gain the support of those around me until the second year of this journey.

Towards the end of 2015, I left the original location due to a falling out where the work of Hand, Hoof, and Heart was being used to promote another business. When I moved into the current location, it was just me, my childhood pony, and 5 riders that followed me from where I had moved. I had to buy horses and riding equipment, hire help, recruit volunteers, market the program, replace horses etc and all of this was done on my own with absolutely no experience besides the two years I worked for another barn.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Hand, Hoof, and Heart provides therapeutic horseback riding and independent living services for the special needs community, as well as, riding lessons for the neurotypical community. We are mostly known as a therapeutic riding service provider and a provider of services to the special needs community. Our typical lesson program is new as of December 2017. We are also known as a reliable community service hub, especially for high school and college-aged volunteers.

What sets us apart is that we focus on providing an inclusive and educational atmosphere for everyone who sets foot on the property. We encourage our typical riders to volunteer during our therapeutic lessons in order to create a family environment, as well as promote friendship and mentorship between our students.

We specialize in providing innovative, creative programs that utilize program development skills from local college students, as well as parents of children with special needs. Our program development is greatly influenced by the opinions of who we serve and we always reach out to the community before setting any program in stone.

We also love partnering with other organizations, like The MDE School and Friendship Circle of Atlanta, so we can bring the joy of horses to those that aren’t able to partake in our services regularly. We are also partnered with Cobb County as one of their special Olympics equestrian team providers.

What were you like growing up?
When I was younger I was extremely shy, closed-off, and insecure. To my close friends and family, I was silly, bubbly, creative and talkative.

However, I grew up with severe social anxiety that showed its head in large social settings, like school or a restaurant, and it only became worse as I got older and started going to college.

I couldn’t look people in the eye, make phone calls to people other than my friends and family, and couldn’t hold a job. I went through bouts of depression and received years of therapy that eventually freed me.

Throughout all of this, I was always an equestrian. I owned my first horse at 14. I competed in local shows throughout middle school and high school.

Pricing:

• hour private riding lessons for both programs : $60.00
• “pony preschool” for children under 3: $45.00
• birthday parties and special events: $350.00 and up depending on occasion
• independent living services: $20.00/hour

Contact Info:

• Address: 1580 Murdock Road Marietta, GA 30062
• Phone: 404 983 5355
• Email: handhoofheart@gmail.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/handhoofheart/

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.