Sole Encounters

To see more information on the featured keynote, breakout speakers and community agencies wellness experiences please visit our Facebook events page: https://www.facebook.com/share/18wFDdAZVJ/

Tomorrow is the day! We’ll see you there!

We are so excited to have the opportunity for Teddy and Fran to spend time with us at the 2026 Wellness Experience! Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.
Check out the event post for more information on Keynote speaker, breakout sessions and what you will find in the community connections room. https://www.facebook.com/share/19FX3eF74e/
Sole Encounters Fran Wilsak
https://solencounters.com/

We are so excited to have the opportunity for Teddy and Fran to spend time with us at the 2026 Wellness Experience! Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.
Check out the event post for more information on Keynote speaker, breakout sessions and what you will find in the community connections room. https://www.facebook.com/share/19FX3eF74e/
Sole Encounters Fran Wilsak
https://solencounters.com/

Dulci, Rocky and I were happy to have Joyce and Laura visit Sole Encounters today to celebrate Mental Health Awareness month by taking time to slow down and be present in the moment with no pressing agenda.

After learning how horses communicate through body language, they spent time observing their actions and that sparked some great conversations. Then we got the groom kits out, discussed how each tool is used and they set to work finding the spots where Dulci and Rocky appreciate the most attention. Who can spot those in the photos?

A walk on the trails was the perfect ending to a day full of new discoveries and a chance further connect to nature.

Learn more about us at Solencounters.com. All ages welcome, no horse experience necessary, no riding. Let’s customize a session to meet your goals whether it be fun, personal growth, or to further develop life skills.

Celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month by taking some time for yourself.

There are still spots available for this session. Please contact me to reserve your spot.

I am sharing a post from Amanda Held, founder of H.O.O.V.E.S, a non-profit she created to support veterans and their families through retreats with horses.
One link takes you to an informational video about her program and the other is a link if you’d like to make a donation to support her work.

https://youtu.be/Ynh06AnCxrA?si=IzUjL1-uHlh2WE9q

https://horsesformentalhealth.org/campaigns/amanda-held/?fbclid=IwZnRzaASBxBhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEec3xOE0EF-dC53V6Lhyow4jqtlCp3p8iELlS6vuPKLIHHbbSxvol2xIy6vcs_aem_5Z6NE4wrmysVC7lo3iB5Mg

Our first workshop in support of Mental Health Awareness Month touched every participant that joined us. We opened with a meditation to ground ourselves, observed horse behavior, and then began our interactions with them. All along we stopped to share what we learned, and how parallels can be drawn to, and enrich our daily lives.

Participants said the experience was relaxing and enjoyable; eye-opening and positive; and that they had a new perspective on what horses are capable of.

Join us on May 30th from 1 pm - 4 pm for another opportunity to support Mental Health Awareness Month. Space is limited to 8. Contact me to reserve your spot.
Solencounters.com

Update: The May 23rd session is full, but spots are available in the May 30th session. Looking forward to meeting and supporting new friends!

In order to help support National Mental Health Awareness Month I’m offering sessions with the horses from 1 pm - 4 pm on Saturday, May 23 & May 30.

The sessions will be focused on slowing down, tuning into your body, and practicing being present. The horses will be our partners on the ground throughout.

In hopes of building community, if you would like to stay and visit with other participants afterwards, please bring a picnic-type snack to share.

Our farm is located in Princeton, IL. Please message me to reserve your spot. Limit of 8 participants per session.
Solencounters.com

From the 2026 Horses for Mental Health Campaign-

As Mother’s Day approaches, we’re honored to share our newest campaign video, a heartfelt tribute to mothers and the powerful role horses can play in healing, resilience, and emotional connection.

In this new Horses for Mental Health Campaign video, mothers courageously share experiences of adversity, grief and loss to help other mothers feel less alone in their own unique journeys. In the presence of horses, they found a sense of peace, rediscovered their strength and purpose, and began to believe in hope again. Horses offer something rare: a space to breathe, reconnect, and simply be – without judgment.

We hope that you’ll help us share it far and wide. Every share helps bring greater awareness to these life-changing services and the organizations working tirelessly to provide them.

“Being a mom is not only one of the most beautiful things in the world, but it’s also one of the most difficult.” — Sheryl Barto, Founder of Smiling Goat Ranch

https://youtu.be/gCLyZByGqoU?si=gKNzBI6xDMGCA8qd