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 Our mission is to provide the general public with experiences that will demonstrate the therapeutic, educational, and spiritual value of a loving relationship with animals, while developing essential life skills. We also provide a safe and nurturing environment for previously abused and neglected animals and make a lifetime commitment for their care.
We serve the community by providing educational programs for youth at-risk, individuals, enabling them to learn vital communication and problem-solving skills, while caring for animals. Valuable lessons in life skills are taught, including responsibility, leadership, self-confidence and community service.
There are no limitations on who can receive our services. We do not turn people away because of financial need. If they cannot afford an existing program, they can participate in volunteer programs and receive credits in exchange for services.
Programs include work/study that combines hands on community service with educational opportunities; children’s horse camps; guided trail rides;  riding clinics; dog training classes; special programs for 4-H, girl scouts, boy scouts, the mentally and physically challenged, and underprivileged children; and corporate programs on effective communication and team building.
We also offer riding lessons, after school programs, a Saturday  volunteer program and free saddle club. Participants earn credits toward riding lessons or trail rides for their efforts.
Activities include animal care, classes on animal training, barn chores, assisting with grounds maintenance such as repairs, new construction, and landscaping. Smiles are ever–present at the end of an often challenging, productive and safe day.
Swan Center Outreach Inc. is funded through public donations and fundraising activities promoted by our supporters. These special fundraising activities include public trail rides, the sale of T-shirts and horse photos, animal care sponsorship, special events and corporate, personal and foundation sponsorships.
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Swan Center Outreach Heads West
 
The Gang
Dear Friends & Supporters of Swan Center Outreach,
We are writing at this time to let you know about some very exciting changes that have taken place for Swan Center Outreach. As some of you may already know, four years ago, our directors, Rose and John Longhill, moved their primary residence from Georgia to Colorado, due to health issues that dictated a dryer climate. They continued to monitor the progress of the Outreach programs, and taught classes, by commuting to Georgia on a frequent basis, when the weather permitted. Over time, this arrangement proved to be less than ideal for all concerned. So, this past Fall, after much deliberation and some sadness, the decision was made to permanently relocate the facility from Marble Hill to Colorado.
The move was a major feat as 31 horses, 2 Ponies “Lil Sugar and Prince”, our miniature horse “Minnie Winnie”, the miniature donkey “Eyore”, 5 sheep, 3 llamas; and an assortment of cats and dogs, made the journey to Colorado without incident. We’re sure that Noah’s Ark had nothing on the Swan Center Outreach trek from the foothills of the north Georgia Mountains, through the cities to the west, across the plains of Kansas and on to the rugged mountains and snow country of Colorado.
The animals arrived in great shape and in high spirits. They were greeted by dry air, cool temperatures and long sunny days. We even had a 33 year old horse with respiratory problems, who not only made the trip non-phased but whose health greatly improved upon arriving in the dry air of Colorado. Our trail ride horses seemed a little confused at first by the lack of work, but soon caught on to days spent basking in the sun and eating the abundance of good mountain grass. Within a short time, they were all looking very well fed and extremely relaxed.
The animals are presently housed at a temporary facility south of Denver, to help them adjust to the altitude and climate. It is our hope that they will be moving to a permanent home in Silverthorne, Colorado (about an hour west of Denver) in the Summer of 2007.
Sugar Plum and Cherokee
Although our location has changed, our dreams for Swan Center Outreach have not. We still plan on offering all of the same programs we have overed the past 20 years and hope that many of our friends and volunteers will be visiting us in Colorado.
We would like to sincerely thank you for your love, support and concern for the animals of Swan Center Outreach. It has truly been a pleasure and an honor over the past 20 years to work with so many wonderful volunteers - both children and adults, trail riders, campers and participants in our educational and therapeutic programs. We know we couldn’t have done it without you.
Please stay in touch and check our web-site for future updates, photos and news.
Here are some more pictures of the horses romping in the Snow.
Patches, Jett and Brio looking over the new turf
Everybody is getting their share of Hay
The High Plains of Colorado
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