Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Hoover.
Hi Angela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
16 Hands of Love was created out of my calling/desire to help the children I served as a public school teacher in a different way. When I was guided to leave teaching, I asked “what’s next?” and was reminded of my desire to help others through the sacredness of healing with horses.
I had the calling but was unaware of “how” it was going to unfold (or I thought I knew and was guided down a different path). I thought I would go back to graduate school and become a counselor and do traditional counseling and therapy with horses.
I was completely wrong, I followed my heart and ended up at Equinisity in Canada and was awakened on my spiritual path by the amazing horses and land there. I knew it was my “time” to awaken fully to my passion and purpose and why I am here. I became certified as an Equinistic Healing Practitioner and Life Coach in 2014.
I trusted the journey, took a leap of faith and left teaching, and began offering healing with the horses in 2014.
Organically, 16 Hands of Love , an animal sanctuary, came to life then and we officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2016. It was such an easy and natural progression in what I was being called to do.
My passion lies in being outside in nature and in the company of horses with my family.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, this has been one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. And, it’s also one of the things I am most passionate about in life. Others may look and think it’s hard but that is because it’s not their calling. When you are following your calling, the challenging things don’t feel as big. They are there but are looked at and moved with from a different perspective.
Following this path, challenges me in the most perfect ways and when I surrender and release how I think it should look and let what life is wanting to create flow through me, it becomes easy. It’s my form of creating and expressing myself, such as an artist or dancer might do.
I can truly say, it is true, when you’re doing what you love. You won’t work a day in your life.
Did I have to take huge leaps of faith? Sure. Did that feel scary and challenging in moments, sure.
I left teaching and a steady income thinking my husband’s job would be secure pay for us and in 2 weeks after I left teaching, he lost his job. We had no steady income or savings.
Instead of going backwards, to what felt familiar. I trusted the plan, kept focusing on what I was being called to create and do and it all worked out. I also had to be able to receive help in those moments as well. It’s just as important to receive as it is to give. I truly learned that in those moments.
I kept myself focused on what I knew to be true and what I wanted to happen. I followed the signs of how life was speaking to me and guiding me, I supported myself with those there to support me in those moments.
This is something I could have never accomplished without my husband of 22 years and also now my children. My husband has encouraged me and stood by my side, even in the unsure moments.
We had a hard time conceiving our first child and were naturally able to conceive after 5 years of trying but only after I took a leap of faith and followed my passion and calling with 16 Hands of Love, then it all became easy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Equinisitc Healing Practitioner and Founder of 16 Hands of Love and a Life learner and guide to many.
I run an animal sanctuary with 3 horses, 5 goats, 2 livestock guardian dogs and chickens.
Our mission is “Through nature and rescued animals, 16 Hands of Love provides for individuals a heart-centered, connected learning & healing opportunity. This heart-centered approach offers those in attendance the ability to reconnect, find balance, and create peace within their lives, which in turn will ultimately allow us to be a part of bringing about more peace, love, compassion and harmony to our world.”
I manage about 10-15 volunteers and care for the herd and create and facilitate events. I am also the Executive Director of 16 Hands of Love.
I also homeschool or life learn with the two children who bless my life.
I am most proud of my connection to my intuition and my wiser self.
I love connecting with animals and nature and children.
We offer Open Barn Days & Nature Play events for the community. Equine / Herd Meditation events. Private sessions for children and adults and courses focused on heart centered connections with nature and our herd.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Being at the barn with my horse and friends. No structure, just being and playing with our horses for hours in the pasture and caring for them as well. Of course riding was fun, that was just one part of the whole of the relationship with my horse(s) growing up.
Pricing:
- We are love offering / donation based
Contact Info:
- Website: www.16handsoflove.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/16handsoflove
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/16handsoflove
Image Credits
Angela Hoover
