Equine therapy continues to open doors for veterans and individuals with disabilities in ways that are both powerful and deeply personal. In this inspiring episode of GrantTalk, host Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch, author of The Queen of Grants and The Queen of Grants 2, sits down with Day Iseminger, President of Woerth It Hollow, Inc., to discuss how horses, volunteerism, and grant funding are transforming lives one connection at a time.
From emotional healing to practical farming skills, this episode highlights the extraordinary impact nonprofits can have when purpose meets grant funding. Equine Therapy can help anyone, but especially veterans and individuals with disabilities, reconnect with themselves, build confidence, and experience calm in a way that feels natural and deeply rewarding. It is also a reminder that small grants can create massive momentum for growing organizations.
Meet Libby and Day
GrantTalk host Libby Hikind brings warmth, curiosity, and years of grant expertise to every interview. As the founder and CEO of GrantWatch and host of GrantTalk, Libby has spent years helping nonprofits discover funding opportunities and build sustainable futures.
Today, Libby welcomes Day Iseminger, President of Woerth It Hollow, Inc., a nonprofit located in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania. What began as volunteer work helping with social media and website management quickly evolved into something much larger. Five years later, Day now oversees disability classes, volunteer coordination, horse care, and much of the organization’s daily operations.
Her passion for helping people shines throughout the conversation, especially when discussing the emotional bond between humans and horses.
Equine Therapy: Horses Help Veterans Heal
One of the most powerful parts of this episode is the relationship explored between veterans and horses. Worth It Hollow works with veterans coping with anxiety, stress, trauma, and emotional isolation by creating opportunities to connect with horses in a safe and supportive environment.
Rather than focusing solely on riding, participants learn how to groom, lead, care for, and understand the horses. Day explains that horses are highly intuitive animals capable of sensing human emotions through body language, energy, and even heartbeat changes.
This emotional awareness creates a unique experience for veterans who may struggle to express what they are feeling. Horses respond honestly and without judgment, helping participants feel grounded and understood.
Libby and Day share a simple but memorable thought during the interview: if someone has the opportunity to touch a horse, they should. Sometimes the smallest interactions create the biggest emotional shifts.
Horses Help Individuals with Disabilities Too
In addition to supporting veterans, Woerth It Hollow serves individuals with disabilities through hands-on farm and horse programs. Day’s connection to the mission is deeply personal, as both of her adult children have disabilities.
Participants learn practical life and farming skills, including:
- Horse grooming and handling
- Understanding herd behavior
- Farm safety
- Gardening and planting
- Volunteer teamwork
- Taking horse vital signs
The organization also teaches self-sustainability through gardening projects. Participants plant carrots, celery, and other vegetables that eventually become treats for the horses. The process teaches patience, responsibility, and the rewarding cycle of caring for another living being.
The environment is welcoming, encouraging, and filled with opportunities for growth.
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Grants That Helped Woerth It Hollow Expand
A major focus of the episode is the importance of grant funding for small nonprofits. Day discusses how 3 grants found through GrantWatch helped Woerth It Hollow improve outreach efforts, strengthen visibility, and support veterans in meaningful ways.
4imprint Grants
Woerth It Hollow received 2 separate grants from 4imprint.
What They Received
- Custom logo tumblers
- Promotional pens
- A standing display banner featuring photos of veterans, horses, and participants
How the Grants Were Used
- Volunteer appreciation gifts
- Event giveaways and raffle baskets
- Outreach at public events
- Increasing community awareness of the nonprofit’s mission
The display banner became especially valuable during indoor events where horses could not attend in person. It helped visually tell the organization’s story and attract new supporters and volunteers.
Wawa Foundation Grant
Woerth It Hollow also received a grant from The Wawa Foundation.
What the Grant Funded
- An updated military uniform for the nonprofit’s founder and executive director, who is an Army veteran
How It Was Used
- Veterans Day appearances
- Community parades
- Outreach events representing the organization
The uniform became a symbol of pride and service while helping the organization maintain a strong presence within the veteran community.
Why Small Grants Can Lead to Bigger Opportunities
One of Libby’s most valuable insights during the interview involves the importance of building a grant history over time. Small grants are not “small” when they help establish credibility.
When nonprofits can show that respected organizations and foundations have already invested in their mission, future funders gain confidence in their ability to manage larger awards.
Libby explains that grant funding often works like a staircase:
- Start with a small grant
- Build trust and credibility
- Apply for larger opportunities
- Continue growing impact
For grassroots nonprofits powered entirely by volunteers, this approach can create long-term sustainability.
Woerth It Hollow currently operates with 100% volunteer support, making every grant and donation especially meaningful.
Healing Horses While Helping Humans
Another inspiring aspect of Woerth It Hollow’s work involves horse rehabilitation. Some horses arrive with medical or behavioral challenges and need patient care before they can fully participate in programs.
Day explains that the healing process often works both ways. Veterans and individuals with disabilities help care for horses that also need compassion, patience, and trust.
That shared healing experience creates a unique emotional connection that participants carry with them long after the visit ends.
It is a beautiful reminder that growth and recovery can happen together.
Looking Ahead for Woerth It Hollow
The organization continues to dream big for the future. Day shares hopes of eventually building lodging or bunkhouse accommodations for visitors traveling from outside the area.
Woerth It Hollow is also exploring additional partnerships with veteran organizations and gardening programs to further expand its impact.
With continued community support, volunteer dedication, and successful grant applications, the nonprofit hopes to serve even more veterans and individuals with disabilities in the years ahead.
Final Thoughts
As GrantTalk Episode 55 makes clear, Equine Therapy can create life-changing experiences for veterans, individuals with disabilities, and even the horses themselves. Through compassion, volunteerism, and strategic grant funding, Woerth It Hollow, Inc. is building a community where healing, learning, and connection thrive side by side.
This uplifting episode offers listeners a powerful look at how nonprofits can grow one grant, one volunteer, and one meaningful interaction at a time.
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About GrantWatch
Libby Hikind, author of The Queen of Grants series: The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO, and The Queen of Grants 2: GrantTalk Secrets for the New Era of Writing, founded GrantWatch.com, the largest advanced grant search engine in the United States. The platform features over 11,000 active, verified, and human-curated grant opportunities in more than 61 funding categories. Additionally, it lists grants for nonprofits, grants for small businesses, grants for government agencies, and grants for Individuals.
GrantWatch also offers innovative funding tools like the AI Grant Writing Tool, AI Grant Searching Tool, and My Grant Calendar, making it easier to find grants, track deadlines, and draft proposals. Members can upgrade to MemberPlus+ for complete grant details, eligibility criteria, and application information. With 21 powerful features, live customer support, and weekly GrantTalk podcast episodes, GrantWatch is the go-to resource for finding grants and turning funding opportunities into awarded grants. This post contains affiliate links.
Libby is also the author of several children’s books and companion coloring books, available at libbyhikind.com.
