Hillside HOPE Thru Hooves Board
Todd and Angel Bateman
Founders & Co-Directors
Equine Specialists
Todd Bateman - Horse & Ranch Handler
Angel Bateman - Co-Director
How Hillside HOPE began
For as long as I can remember, I have been horse crazy. As a young girl, any & every opportunity I had to be around or ride horses, I did. When I would go up north with my parents, I would visit relatives that had horses and while my cousins were all playing & doing other things, I was down in the pasture admiring the horses, begging to go for a ride.
My dad would also take me trail riding at Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN. I looked for any opportunity I could to be around horses. Just the smell of them made me happy. That peaceful atmosphere. One of the best things my parents ever did was send me off to horse camp every summer in South Dakota for a week. It was more than just horse camp for me. It was a passion, a true love. That.....is where it began.
Years went by as I experienced some bumps in the road as as a teenager.I had met the wonderful man who is my husband and best friend today, who lucky enough for me, shares the same passion of horses. He also experienced time with horses up north and while staying on a ranch in South Dakota as a teenager. As well as went through many bumps in the road himself.
As we have made our way through life with three wonderful children and many bumps in the road, God made the way to bring that passion, our world of horses back to us.
In 2004, while I was driving in my car on my way to work one day, I was listening to Dr James Dobson on the radio. He just happened to have a guest speaker on that morning by the name of Kim Meeder. That broadcast changed my life that day. Her story was about their Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon. Their Ranch of "Rescued Dreams" where they rescue abused & neglected horses & pair them with children who themselves have been through their own pain. I was in complete tears on my car ride to work that morning. It hit me close to the heart that day. I went home and told my husband, "you HAVE to listen to this!" I had him listen to the broadcast and told him, "THIS is what I want to do!"
Our research began.
We shared our dream and passion with others close to us and things started to grow from there. My husband started building fences, barns and nurturing pasture to prepare for our dream...horses.
We bought our first two horses and were on our way! Long story short, we connected with a gentleman who introduced us to EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association), where we completed our Level 1 Training and are now working with youth, families and groups doing EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) and EAL (Equine Assisted Alternative Learning). We are blessed to be a "family" team, with my mother-in-law as our Pastoral Counselor Professional (and Equine Specialist) and my husband Todd & I as the ES (Equine Specialists).
Our equine family has grown to five horses as of now, who each have a story of their own. I am so proud to be able to be a part of this work and seeing the inspiration of "horses helping people."It is God's work...what a blessing!
For as long as I can remember, I have been horse crazy. As a young girl, any & every opportunity I had to be around or ride horses, I did. When I would go up north with my parents, I would visit relatives that had horses and while my cousins were all playing & doing other things, I was down in the pasture admiring the horses, begging to go for a ride.
My dad would also take me trail riding at Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN. I looked for any opportunity I could to be around horses. Just the smell of them made me happy. That peaceful atmosphere. One of the best things my parents ever did was send me off to horse camp every summer in South Dakota for a week. It was more than just horse camp for me. It was a passion, a true love. That.....is where it began.
Years went by as I experienced some bumps in the road as as a teenager.I had met the wonderful man who is my husband and best friend today, who lucky enough for me, shares the same passion of horses. He also experienced time with horses up north and while staying on a ranch in South Dakota as a teenager. As well as went through many bumps in the road himself.
As we have made our way through life with three wonderful children and many bumps in the road, God made the way to bring that passion, our world of horses back to us.
In 2004, while I was driving in my car on my way to work one day, I was listening to Dr James Dobson on the radio. He just happened to have a guest speaker on that morning by the name of Kim Meeder. That broadcast changed my life that day. Her story was about their Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon. Their Ranch of "Rescued Dreams" where they rescue abused & neglected horses & pair them with children who themselves have been through their own pain. I was in complete tears on my car ride to work that morning. It hit me close to the heart that day. I went home and told my husband, "you HAVE to listen to this!" I had him listen to the broadcast and told him, "THIS is what I want to do!"
Our research began.
We shared our dream and passion with others close to us and things started to grow from there. My husband started building fences, barns and nurturing pasture to prepare for our dream...horses.
We bought our first two horses and were on our way! Long story short, we connected with a gentleman who introduced us to EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association), where we completed our Level 1 Training and are now working with youth, families and groups doing EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) and EAL (Equine Assisted Alternative Learning). We are blessed to be a "family" team, with my mother-in-law as our Pastoral Counselor Professional (and Equine Specialist) and my husband Todd & I as the ES (Equine Specialists).
Our equine family has grown to five horses as of now, who each have a story of their own. I am so proud to be able to be a part of this work and seeing the inspiration of "horses helping people."It is God's work...what a blessing!
Terry Bateman - Co-Founder, Director, Pastoral Counselor,
Equine Specialist
Terry is the founder and director of HIS Healing Heart, a 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to bringing hope and healing to the broken hearted. She has worked in the field of Counseling/Life Coaching since 1992; her heart and passion for the hurting coming from her own life experiences. She is a licensed Pastor through (IMF) International Ministerial Fellowship and is a member of (AACC) American Association of Christian Counselors. She is also a Level 2 Certified Equine Specialist through EAGALA. Terry has worked in a variety of settings with youth, young women, single moms, women in crisis, and families. She and her husband Denny have housed youth, un-wed pregnant mothers, and both male and female adults; helping them through a variety of life’s difficult situations. She has been married to Denny for 42 years; has 6 children and 15 grandchildren. Terry enjoys reading, and sharing with family and friends her other gifts and skills of gardening/canning, quilting and decorating.
Alison Moidl - Board Secretary
Alison currently operates a home childcare business, Firefly Daycare, that she opened in 2004. Prior to opening this business, she spent several years working for TreeHouse, a non-profit Christian organization serving at-risk youth and their families. During that time, she also completed her Masters Degree in Psychotherapy, with her internships focusing on children and adolescents. Alison is married to Joe, her husband of 7 years, and together they have two young children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as reading, writing and photography.
Robbin Kampa - Board Treasurer
Robbin lives in Big Lake where she raised her sons. When not working or volunteering for Hillside HOPE she enjoys much of her time with her family and three precious grandchildren, Sohia and twins Clayton and Haylie. During the summer months she enjoys gardening, riding bike, fishing and getting behind the wheel of her little sports car with the top down. Robbin has years of experience in accounting and financial management and is a great asset to the organization.
Rachael Wacker - Board Member, Mental Health Case Worker
Rachael graduated from St. Cloud State University with Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. She has 3 nieces and 3 nephews.
Her hobbies include camping, hiking, reading and enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as helping others.
Her hobbies include camping, hiking, reading and enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as helping others.
Dennis Bateman - Board Member
Denny has worked for the US Postal Service for 33 years He has enjoyed other careers in his life which include Construction and Mechanics. Denny served in the Army and is a Viet Nam
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