Mary Alexander

Support Staff

Mary is our “go to” volunteer. With years of experience with horses and a heart of gold, we can always rely on her to turn to when we need an extra hand with horses or a larger group. With a horse of her own, Mary knows the in’s and out’s of horse care and training. She also has lots of patience and compassion to offer our clients coming to the farm for love and healing.

 

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Matt's Story — Hay Bales & Hard-Won Confidence

Some of you may already know Matt.

He's been with our Healing with Horses program for almost three years now. He's autistic, he's non-verbal, and he is an absolute sweetheart. Over these three years, we've worked together on so much — following multi-step directions, strategic thinking, verbal communication, gross and fine motor skills, reducing anxiety, building self-confidence. He rides the horses once a week now. He helps with farm chores. He hikes our trails. He drives the tractor — which, if you know Matt, is a genuinely huge accomplishment.

This past week, Matt and I had a big job ahead of us: get six bales of hay out of the hay barn, load them into my truck, drive them over, and unload them into the horse barn. That's a hard task for any child. For Matt, it's harder still.

We loaded the truck together. But when we got to the horse barn to unload, I decided to try something — I gave him gloves to protect his hands, showed him how to grip the bales by their strings, and then I stood back. I wanted to see what he could do on his own.

I was not prepared for what happened next.

Matt unloaded all six bales — by himself — and stacked every single one in the barn. On his own. No help. I just stood there, honestly a little stunned, watching him do something I wasn't sure he'd be able to do a year ago.

Matt didn't just finish the job. He did it well. And in doing it, he showed both of us something bigger than hay bales: what happens when you challenge someone and truly believe in them.

Those bales were heavy. So is life, some days — especially for Matt, who works harder than most of us will ever know just to move through a world that wasn't built with him in mind. This week, he learned he can carry that weight. On his own.

We are so proud of you, Matt. Look how far you've come.

#FoxMoonFarmProject #HealingWithHorses #AutismJourney #ClientSpotlight #NonverbalAutism #ProudMoment #FarmTherapy #TraumaInformedCare
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Matts Story — Hay Bales & Hard-Won ConfidenceSome of you may already know Matt.Hes been with our Healing with Horses program for almost three years now. Hes autistic, hes non-verbal, and he is an absolute sweetheart. Over these three years, weve worked together on so much — following multi-step directions, strategic thinking, verbal communication, gross and fine motor skills, reducing anxiety, building self-confidence. He rides the horses once a week now. He helps with farm chores. He hikes our trails. He drives the tractor — which, if you know Matt, is a genuinely huge accomplishment.This past week, Matt and I had a big job ahead of us: get six bales of hay out of the hay barn, load them into my truck, drive them over, and unload them into the horse barn. Thats a hard task for any child. For Matt, its harder still.We loaded the truck together. But when we got to the horse barn to unload, I decided to try something — I gave him gloves to protect his hands, showed him how to grip the bales by their strings, and then I stood back. I wanted to see what he could do on his own.I was not prepared for what happened next.Matt unloaded all six bales — by himself — and stacked every single one in the barn. On his own. No help. I just stood there, honestly a little stunned, watching him do something I wasnt sure hed be able to do a year ago.Matt didnt just finish the job. He did it well. And in doing it, he showed both of us something bigger than hay bales: what happens when you challenge someone and truly believe in them.Those bales were heavy. So is life, some days — especially for Matt, who works harder than most of us will ever know just to move through a world that wasnt built with him in mind. This week, he learned he can carry that weight. On his own.We are so proud of you, Matt. Look how far youve come.#FoxMoonFarmProject #HealingWithHorses #AutismJourney #ClientSpotlight #NonverbalAutism #ProudMoment #FarmTherapy #TraumaInformedCareImage attachment

🐐 Meet the kids... literally! 🐐

Our four little ones — Jupiter, Jasmine, Joline, and Jujubean — just hit the one-month mark, and they are absolutely thriving! These babies have gone from wobbly-legged newborns to full-blown farm daredevils in what feels like no time at all.

These days you'll find them jumping, running, and climbing everything in sight (tunnels included — nothing is safe!). They're just starting to nibble on solid foods alongside their milk, and we're even feeling their first tiny horn buds coming in. Every day brings something new to watch.

But the real showstopper? Their famous mid-air twist. Watch closely and you'll catch all four of them launching straight up and spinning like little acrobats before landing right back on their feet. It's one of our favorite parts of morning chores, and we think it might become one of yours too.

There's something so fitting about watching these babies find their footing, stumble, try again, and grow more confident every single day. It's the same kind of small, steady progress we get to witness in our program every day — and it never gets old.

Follow along for more updates!

#foxmoonfarmproject
#healingwithhorses
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🐐 Meet the kids... literally! 🐐Our four little ones — Jupiter, Jasmine, Joline, and Jujubean — just hit the one-month mark, and they are absolutely thriving! These babies have gone from wobbly-legged newborns to full-blown farm daredevils in what feels like no time at all.These days youll find them jumping, running, and climbing everything in sight (tunnels included — nothing is safe!). Theyre just starting to nibble on solid foods alongside their milk, and were even feeling their first tiny horn buds coming in. Every day brings something new to watch.But the real showstopper? Their famous mid-air twist. Watch closely and youll catch all four of them launching straight up and spinning like little acrobats before landing right back on their feet. Its one of our favorite parts of morning chores, and we think it might become one of yours too.Theres something so fitting about watching these babies find their footing, stumble, try again, and grow more confident every single day. Its the same kind of small, steady progress we get to witness in our program every day — and it never gets old.Follow along for more updates!#foxmoonfarmproject
#healingwithhorsesImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment

We're hiring! 🐴🌿

We're growing our Healing with Horses team — and we're looking for two special people to join us.

At Fox Moon Farm, we believe healing doesn't happen in a sterile office under fluorescent lights. It happens on 60 acres of Virginia farmland, alongside horses who never judge and always respond, in the quiet company of goats and gardens and open sky. If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to do deeply meaningful work in a place like that, we'd love to talk to you.

We're hiring a Licensed clinical social worker or other licensed mental health provider. This role is for someone who wants to bring their clinical skill into a farm setting — designing individualized treatment plans, leading sessions that build life skills, emotional regulation, and self-confidence, and using the horses and the land themselves as therapeutic tools. You'll work alongside our Program Director, Equine Specialist, and Life Skills team to support children, adolescents, and adults with IDD, autism spectrum conditions, and complex trauma. Current certification required; equine experience is a plus but not required — we'll train you there.

We're also hiring a Horseback Riding Instructor. This is a hands-on role for someone who genuinely loves horses and genuinely understands people — someone who can teach a beginner rider with autism just as naturally as they'd teach anyone else, adapting technique and pace to what each individual needs. A minimum of three years teaching experience and demonstrated work with special needs populations are required.

Both roles ask for the same thing, really: patience, warmth, a calm presence in moments of big emotion, and a belief that every person who comes through our gate is capable of more than they've been told.

If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you. Reach out directly to Cindy at cfrei@foxmoonfarm.org.

Come as you are. Leave with more than you imagined. That's what we offer our clients — and it's what we hope this work offers you too.

#FoxMoonFarmProject #NowHiring #HealingWithHorses #RecreationalTherapy #HorsebackRidingInstructor
... See MoreSee Less

Were hiring! 🐴🌿Were growing our Healing with Horses team — and were looking for two special people to join us.At Fox Moon Farm, we believe healing doesnt happen in a sterile office under fluorescent lights. It happens on 60 acres of Virginia farmland, alongside horses who never judge and always respond, in the quiet company of goats and gardens and open sky. If youve ever wondered what it would feel like to do deeply meaningful work in a place like that, wed love to talk to you.Were hiring a Licensed clinical social worker or other licensed mental health provider. This role is for someone who wants to bring their clinical skill into a farm setting — designing individualized treatment plans, leading sessions that build life skills, emotional regulation, and self-confidence, and using the horses and the land themselves as therapeutic tools. Youll work alongside our Program Director, Equine Specialist, and Life Skills team to support children, adolescents, and adults with IDD, autism spectrum conditions, and complex trauma. Current certification required; equine experience is a plus but not required — well train you there.Were also hiring a Horseback Riding Instructor. This is a hands-on role for someone who genuinely loves horses and genuinely understands people — someone who can teach a beginner rider with autism just as naturally as theyd teach anyone else, adapting technique and pace to what each individual needs. A minimum of three years teaching experience and demonstrated work with special needs populations are required.Both roles ask for the same thing, really: patience, warmth, a calm presence in moments of big emotion, and a belief that every person who comes through our gate is capable of more than theyve been told.If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you. Reach out directly to Cindy at cfrei@foxmoonfarm.org.Come as you are. Leave with more than you imagined. Thats what we offer our clients — and its what we hope this work offers you too.#FoxMoonFarmProject #NowHiring #HealingWithHorses  #RecreationalTherapy #HorsebackRidingInstructor
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Healing, Learning, and Growing Together: Empowering Lives through Horses, Community, and Wellness.