Al Lorenzen joined the Rotary breakfast this week to share his faith-based story about how his life led him to Godspeed Equine. As a former basketball player at both the collegiate (Iowa) and professional (Europe) levels, Al ultimately returned to Iowa where he started Wildwood Ranch, which was south of Des Moines.
As he continued with this work, his strong faith led he and his wife Kelly to begin developing the idea of Godspeed Equine. In 2017, Godspeed Equine was founded in Warren County, and two years later the search for a Forever Home began, with a location purchased (Fallis Sod Farm) in 2020. A barn shell was constructed on the property, and in 2021, the utilities, waterers, fence, barn interior, and arena were completed.
Godspeed provides faith-based equine therapy and learning activities to provide hope, healing, and opportunities for emotional growth through horses and through Christianity. Its vision is for participants to experience the love of Jesus using horses to teach them how to be authentic and present, seeking open and honest communication with others while learning to give and receive trust and respect.
The location of Godspeed Equine is three miles north of the new Waukee high school. The kids (the participants), come from as far away as Earlham and Madrid. Many have been subjected to physical and/or sexual abuse, or may suffer from anxiety, depression, and/or other emotional challenges.
The Godspeed Equine program consists of 4-6 students per group with 12 after-school sessions per cycle over 6 weeks. Students can attend multiple cycles, and must be in a faith based community. They find their own transportation, and when they arrive, there are daily devotions and journaling along with learning basic horsemanship to care for the horses (and the facility). Ultimately, the ranch and the horses are used as tools to expose them to the love of Jesus.
Al shared that Godspeed Equine is currently involved in a facilities project to build restrooms, meeting and office space, and a caretaker’s quarters. As it continues to grow and impact many young adults, they also fundraise to secure funding that supports this growth. Individuals and/or businesses have the ability to contribute through their website.
https://godspeedequine.org/donate/