Horses  Healing  Souls

OUR  STORY

Kindred Hope Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. was founded in 2020, when Kaye Bough and her daughter, Kara Stephan, combined their passions into a way to give back to their community. Kaye wanted to honor veterans in memory of her late husband, who had passed away in January 2019. Kara had once again gotten involved in her lifelong love of horses in 2018 by starting to rescue horses from various kill pens in Texas where she was living, and then rehoming them into their forever homes. When Kara relocated to Alabama, she brought five rescue horses with her to add to Kaye's existing herd of four miniature horses.

After researching equine-assisted therapy and learning about the high percentage of veterans that found comfort in them and substantially decreased their PTSD and anxiety, Kaye and Kara's dream was about to become reality! Discussions were held with local veterans’ organizations, and construction soon began on a horse barn that would allow veterans, first responders, and others in the community to safely interact with the horses. Kaye and Kara decided to name their organization Kindred Hope Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc.—“Kindred” because it roughly translates to family; “Hope” in honor of T’s Hope, an off-track thoroughbred (OTTB), and the first horse Kara rescued in 2018; “Rescue” because Kaye and Kara also plan to continue rescuing and rehabilitating horses in the future; and “Sanctuary” because they wanted their farm to be a place of refuge and safety for people and animals alike.

In August 2020, Kindred Hope Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. officially became an Alabama nonprofit corporation. Shortly thereafter, Kindred Hope was granted IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit status. Kindred Hope Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. began as a 100% self-funded endeavor, but thanks to being granted IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit recognition, Kindred Hope can now accept tax-deductible donations to help fund continuing and future operating costs, thus allowing us to fulfill our passion and #1 priority—helping veterans, first responders, and others in our community lessen symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and other traumas, while also helping horses.

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