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After closing the gate, I hopped back into my photographer's vehicle and we slowly headed down the long drive, easing past half-a-dozen adorable mini horses. When we parked near the funky, yet artsy, 4,000-square-foot house – a-work-in-progress since 1992 – we were enthusiastically greeted by five lab puppies, an inquisitive mini horse and a large sheepdog that answers to the name of Stevie Wonder. Veronique Matthews also houses cats, four rescued potbellied pigs, pygmy goats and a wounded hawk. The awe-inspiring affection most of these animals show one another, regardless of their species, helps make this 15-acre ranch in Lockhart a peaceful animal sanctuary filled with calming energy. It's no wonder volunteers feel compelled to donate their time to help Matthews care for these sensitive beings.
When I initially met Matthews last summer, I quickly realized that I was getting to know a woman who not only recovered from a double mastectomy, but is also a rape survivor and single parent who endured numerous hardships – including homelessness for three months when her two children, who are now adults, were very young.
A former model whose 10-year marriage to a musician ended when he learned about her diagnosis and deserted her, Matthews has persevered and successfully made her passion for horses and compassion for people in distress her life's work. She exemplifies someone who understands what it means to find a silver lining behind a very dark cloud. In 2001, when she was still in low spirits and recovering from cancer treatment, she visited a neighbor's mini horse ranch and found herself drawn to a four-month-old, 40-pound, 22-inch-tall dwarf miniature with club feet and a variety of other genetic health issues. She adopted this amazing creature that became the inspiration for Hearts & Hooves. Toby, who became famous for crawling into bed to cuddle with hospice patients and nursing home residents, died of a heart attack at the age of four in November 2005. He was the only horse in Texas to be honored with a full-length obituary in The Austin American-Statesman.
Hearts & Hooves has been soothing people in physical, spiritual and emotional pain since its January 2002 launch. Matthews transports a small herd to every special needs environment imaginable – from hospice, hospitals and Alzheimer's units to facilities that care for children with autism and Easter Seals Camps for adults and children with disabilities. While Matthews herself still suffers from chronic pain since undergoing cancer treatment, she is able to rise above and experience great joy in her work.
Matthews relies on the generosity of volunteers and donations to keep her idyllic organization operating. She is especially appreciative of the generosity of the George and Patsy Eby Foundation, which purchased five acres of land and a new Dodge Sprinter van for the organization. “It has a huge air conditioner in the back of it where I can put eight horses,” Matthews shared. “I love that! So now I can actually pull trailers!”
Matthews, who has been featured in a variety of articles and local television programs over the years, made a national impact in the spring of 2007 when Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, crowned her “queen for the day” on a segment of Good Morning America. Her organization also enables similarly minded animal lovers to open their own affiliate “Saddlelite” Chapter of Hearts & Hooves. Currently, there are “Saddlelites” in Abilene and Lubbock, TX; Sacramento, CA; the Berkshires, MA; Nashville, TN – even Edmonton, Canada.
Gifted with an amazing ability to communicate with animals, Matthews became an expert at encouraging her subjects to direct her to the source of their pain during her career as a horse massage therapist. “Through their movements, they told me where the injuries occurred,” she said. Matthews also noticed that the horses were observing her. “They read my movements and emotions and changed their behavior to match my needs.”
Over the past few years, Matthews has expanded her communication expertise with therapy horses, by learning how to interpret their body language – such as a quick flick or slow twist of the tail – when working with a client. “They are so telepathic, empathic and sensitive, that they can tell me when and where a child has emotional pain and what caused it,” she shared. Matthews is considering several titles for this style of therapy. So far “Equine Somatic Mapping” is a nose ahead of “Equine Resolution Mapping.”
So, how does she choose which therapy animals to take on various visits? “They decide themselves,” Matthews said. “I go outside at 10 or 11 in the morning and say, 'Who’s going to work?' Some horses will walk up because they know where we're going and they want to work with that population, and others don't.” Then they line up for their baths, march into the van and head out to their day job. “Once inside the door, the minis and therapy dogs instinctively go to where they know they are needed,” she added. The horses can work with anyone regardless of their health issues. “We have not met a person with a disability yet that the horses were not able to work with.”
Matthews struggles daily to keep the organization afloat financially. Readers interested in making a difference can deliver hay to the ranch or send their tax-deductible donations to Hearts & Hooves at the address listed below.
I left the ranch feeling appreciation for experiencing such a remarkable place. I was also relieved to know that no matter what may be happening in the world, these beautiful animals are busy touching human lives. They definitely touched mine.
MORE INFO
Veronique Matthews - Hearts & Hooves
heartsandhooves.org • veronique.matthews@gmail.com
608 W. 12th St. • Austin, TX 78701 • 512.376.7667