Our Mission & History
Our Mission
It is the mission of Wings of Hope to provide equine-assisted services for children and adults with unique physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
Core Purpose
Our core purpose is to provide hope and healing through gentle horses and the love of God.
Our History
Wings of Hope was founded on the belief that there is amazing potential within each individual, and abilities are greater than disabilities.
Wings of Hope began in 1996 to provide inclusion for those with disabilities. Prior to the establishment of Wings of Hope, Co-Founders Margaret Dickens and Patti Pace worked together at a state operated residential treatment facility in Johnson County. They had seen the powerful impact horses played in the lives of at-risk youth.
In true Wings of Hope fashion, our mission strives to serve the needs of our community and grow with those needs as they are presented. When our doors opened in 1996, there was an evident need to serve those with disabilities. Our founding staff and board had a vision to provide a place of inclusion without discrimination and to share love and compassion. Over two decades later we are the only center located in Johnson County and serving the Southern DFW Metroplex with such a diverse spectrum of services.
In 2017, Co-Founder Margaret Dickens was inducted into The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame for her work in utilizing horses to facilitate healing in a therapeutic setting. Read more
here!
Margaret Dickens, along with Patti Pace, founded Wings of Hope in 1996 to provide inclusion for those with disabilities through the partnership of a horse.
Nearly 28 years later we are blessed to still have the guidance and expertise of both of our Co-Founders.
Hope Healing Horses Discovery
Wings of Hope was founded in 1996 to provide inclusion for those with disabilities, specifically for children and adults with physical, mental or emotional challenges through the partnership of a horse.
The partnership of a horse allows those with disabilities the opportunity to explore new ways to navigate independence, to gain tools and skills to sharpen and enhance abilities, to discover strengths and address challenges. The partnership breaks down barriers for someone who has experienced isolation and exclusion through their disability.
We serve as an advocate for meeting individuals where they are in life with a focus on abilities rather than disabilities.
