Happy Trails is shining brighter with its newest little ray of sunshine! Hope Reid came to Happy Trails in the summer of 2017 when her family relocated to California. Diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder at the age of three she had been participating in a therapeutic riding program in Zionsville, Indiana. Eager for Hope to continue riding, her mother Lindsay contacted Happy Trails before their move to start the enrollment process. Without skipping a beat in her services, Hope arrived just in time to participate in Happy Trails Camp.
From her first visit, Hope has been an enthusiastic participant in all of her activities at Happy Trails. When asked if she has a favorite horse, she responded, “I like Ridge, I like Emma, I like Splash—I just can’t pick a favorite!” However, she won’t hesitate to tell you her favorite class so far has been vaulting. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she excelled in this very physical class. She also enjoyed her second year at Happy Trails Camp and was excited to have her brother, Hunter, join in the fun with her this summer.
At eight years old, Hope is also a very enterprising young lady. Sensory processing disorder (SPD) gives Hope a desire to invigorate her senses because her world feels “off balance.” SPD is on a spectrum and Hope falls on one side of it as a sensory seeker. She and her mother love to create and serve others. Creating soaps and beauty products gives her the opportunity to use all her senses and feel “balanced.” She loves experimenting with mixing scents and ingredients. Hope Soaps, LLC came about from a desire to provide an opportunity for Hope to raise money to care for the horses she loves so dearly at her riding facilities in Zionsville and now in Tulare. She donates a portion of each sale made from her website and her trade show booth to both programs.
She will soon receive recognition for her efforts. Hope was at her booth at the Rusty Roots show in May explaining her products and mission to raise money for “her horses” to a few customers. Unbeknownst to her, she was talking to several Tulare County United Way staff members. They were very familiar with Happy Trails, as it is a UW affiliate agency. After hearing her story they took her card and contacted her a few months later telling her she was named the “Young Advocate of the Year.” Hope was very surprised and looks forward to receiving the award with her family and friends supporting her at the UW Annual Awards breakfast August 31.
It has been a joy to have Hope in our program. And wonderful to hear she and her family feel the same way. “We are so very grateful for Happy Trails,” said Lindsay. “They have provided a fun nurturing environment where Hope feels loved and accepted. She enjoys her time in class and camp and joyfully anticipates each visit!”
For more information on Hope Soaps visit hopesoapsindy.com.
