Meet Lisa Kramer | MSW, LCSW

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Kramer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I used to be afraid of horses. And now I own and live with twelve of them and I work with them every day. It all started when my newborn son was diagnosed with a major brain injury. He had experienced a massive stroke long before he was even born and as a result, was missing one third of his right hemisphere.

Throughout his very early years, I noticed that he was unlike my friends’ children who were “obsessed” with a particular toy or character on a tv show. My son never expressed any particular interest in anything like that. Until he was in kindergarten.

Out of nowhere he began talking about horses, drawing pictures of horses, and learning how to write simple stories about horses. Needless to say, I was thrilled! Except, why horses??? I was terrified to go near a horse even if it were on the other side of a fence. But, I would do anything for my son. So I found someone who would teach him all about the care and handling of horses including riding. And that’s when I learned about the powerful healing horses can bring to us.

Many years and challenges later, and after watching my son grow in confidence, resilience, strength of character, and his overall wellbeing, his father and I decided to open a nonprofit called Hope Farms Project.

Hope Farms is psychotherapy and wellness farm where people and animals can learn, grow, and heal together in nature.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Hope Farms is a psychotherapy and wellness farm located east of Parker, Colorado. We offer animal-assisted, nature-based therapy for individuals experiencing trauma, suicidality, depression, and anxiety; as well as, wellness opportunities including day retreats, non-residential weekend retreats, online courses, and drop-in classes. Our farm is available for reservation by outside providers seeking a space to facilitate their own personalized wellness retreats or workshops.

We started in 2011 as a nonprofit organization following a deeply personal experience watching our son cope with the challenges of his brain injury through a connection with nature and animals.

I would describe Hope Farms as a labor or love. The never-ending blood, sweat, and tears (literally) are worth it when we hear from clients or their parents about the life-changing, and sometimes life-saving, impacts their time at the farm has brought them. Witnessing profound healing is humbling. It is an honor to sit with someone who trusts you enough to be vulnerable and wholly authentic in their healing journey. This is what keeps us going.

I often joke that the biggest lesson I have learned along the way is not to have so many animals – especially horses! Twelve might be a bit much. Other lessons are about judgement, patience, and compassion. We are often too quick to make assumptions about others. Everyone comes with a story that we know nothing about. They carry burdens so painful they can barely survive them. Compassion without judgement is a balm to their soul. We just need to be patient while they find their way towards healing.

Hope Farms is a sanctuary of healing for people and the animals that live here. But it comes at a cost. The operating costs are steep and we struggle to manage them. We ask for generous financial contributions to support the therapeutic work that we do, the animals that provide comfort to clients, and the property that needs to be maintained. Our biggest need is an indoor arena so we can facilitate sessions and programming during inclimate weather. Currently, we are limited to a four-stall barn.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am an outdoors person so I would like to share fun experiences that include flat water kayaking and paddleboarding at Chatfield Reservoir, hiking outside of Boulder, a Broncos game at Mile High (or whatever it’s called now), a concert at Red Rocks, and drinks on a patio at the Tailgate in Parker. I would also spend time at Hope Farms with the animals.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
All my success, all the individuals that Hope Farms has supported, and all the good work yet to be done, is dedicated to my son, Dylan Kramer.

Website: www.hopefarmsproject.org

Instagram: hope_farms_project

Facebook: Hope Farms Project