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Celebrating 12 Years with Mustang Randi

December 11, 2018

“One day God stood and wondered who would want the lonely, desolate places…It would take a strong soul…A soul not afraid to be alone, but stronger in a group…a soul that could see another’s heart, open up to them when needed and become one with them. A soul that was willing to allow another into their space and hold them up when the world was pulling them down. A spirit wild and free but kind, understanding, and forgiving. So God created the wild mustang.”   ~Laura Tatum Cowen A spirit wild and free, but kind, understanding, and forgiving. That is Randi.

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In Honor of Dolly

October 25, 2018

[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][image_with_animation image_url=”9293″ alignment=”center” animation=”None”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” custom_height=”40″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] Our dear Dolly, who is 29 years old (soon to be 30) has been experiencing a decline in her health this year, which has recently turned more serious. Due to the serious nature of her recent diagnoses, the Agape team has come together and unanimously agreed that the kindest thing we can do for her is to humanely euthanize Dolly.  If you

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Rest in Peace, Sweet Jake

August 30, 2018

[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”2/3″][vc_column_text] As the National Anthem played over the loudspeakers, Jake proudly and steadily walked around the outdoor ring at Agape South,a rider sitting up and carrying the American flag as it fluttered out behind them. There is no image more fitting of Jake’s legacy than this. His entire life has been one of service. He began with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Mounted Patrol at age two. At age 16, IMPD felt Jake was ready to leave the streets of

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A Christmas Gift for Jitterbug

December 6, 2017

In 2001 a plucky little bay pony joined the Agape herd and began serving small riders in therapeutic riding and all manner of people in equine facilitated learning. Though he is only 13 hands tall, his personality is indomitable and his disposition always joyful. His name, of course, is Jitterbug.  Our dear Jitterbug is now 29 years old and has served in more than 5,400 lessons at Agape since 2001 (WOW!). While he remains joyful in his service and mischievous in character, we cannot deny that he shows a little less pep in his step. That is why we want

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Special Olympics 2017

September 22, 2017

Each year when the horses are groomed, and our volunteers are ready, and the glitter is shining as bright as our riders’ smiles, we take a deep breath of gratitude for Special Olympics. It is indeed a special experience: for our riders, who get the chance to experience a real horse show; for our instructors who helped them succeed; for our horses, who leave the barn and bask in the glow of the audience. And let’s not forget our riders’ caregivers and families! Glenn Speck was so excited to see his daughter Stephanie ride independently. “This is truly special,” he

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Introducing the Pint-sized Dynamic Duo | Thomas & Jitterbug

August 28, 2017

His physical therapist noticed it right away. “He has much more hip strength,” she said. Meet Thomas. You might first notice his tiny walker, complete with Hawaiian license plate, but you’ll quickly see his smile. You just can’t help but smile when he smiles, or laugh when he laughs. He is a tiny ray of sunshine and at four years old, one of our youngest riders. He’s also one of our newest riders. His mom, Mary Kate, drives him from Lafayette each week for his lesson, a trip she says she’s glad to make. “I see him using his legs

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Meet the newest tiny ‘Agapen’ – Eli Zander Bocik

August 2, 2017

On April 30, 2016, our family grew from 2 to 3 when we brought Ari home through the miracle of adoption. Adoption changed our lives in every way, but the most notable way is how it has shown us the deep love of our Heavenly Father. When we got the call on Friday, April 29th last year and only had a few hours to decide, we leaned in and we listened. We knew we were to respond with ‘yes’ even though we were terrified of the unknown, the suddenness, and the unexpected. Looking back on that night now, we are

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Wreckage before Resurrection

April 14, 2017

Today, Agape is closed. Don’t worry- we are still feeding the horses. But, otherwise today is dedicated to remembering and dwelling on what this season is all about. So what is it about? On Sunday, we will gather and celebrate Christ’s resurrection. We may have egg hunts, egg paintings, meals with loved ones – it will be a day of hope and thankfulness. Yes, we are a Hallelujah people, and redemption is our song. But… this is what keeps repeating in my heart and mind….. wreckage always comes before resurrection. Maybe this is because in many ways I feel like

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10 Ways to Experience the Helper’s High

February 17, 2017

Achoooo! Nope. Not going to apologize this time. Today, I’m sneezing random acts of kindness everywhere and I’m not going to apologize for it. In fact, I want you to catch it and then spread it with me. Why?

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Taking Unbridled Hope On The Road

January 25, 2017

They were sitting quietly, basking in the sun-filled courtyard, waiting patiently for Prince and Smokey to arrive. As we led the two minis in, the room was suddenly filled with chatter and excitement. Some were hesitant to say hello, while some eagerly pushed their walkers out of the way. Suddenly conversations about horses, family farms, and animals filled the air. We made our way around the courtyard so that everyone had a chance to get close. Some simply wanted to stroke their soft coats, some brushed their wiry manes, while others just observed. The joy was palpable, and the social

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