Transformation & Impact: Beyond the Barn Door
How does a simple, converted barn room become a place of profound transformation? Community member Michael Kiefer recently visited Healing Hearts Therapeutic Farm to find out. We are delighted to feature his guest blog post today, where he shares his firsthand experience of the farm’s mission. From the animal-assisted therapy that helps reduce anxiety to the dedicated space for foster youth and veterans to connect, Michael’s words perfectly capture why this work matters. Thank you, Michael, for lending your talent to help us tell this story.
A Look Inside the Transformative Power of Healing Hearts Therapeutic Farm.
There’s no sign outside the barn’s converted storage room, just a door that opens to those facing some of life’s hardest moments.
Furnished with simple, mismatched furniture, the unpretentious conference room at Healing Hearts Therapeutic Farm, Carleton, provides a safe space where vulnerable populations, including foster youth, veterans, and women who are homeless and struggling with substance abuse, can gather with others facing similar circumstances.
The farm, populated with an eclectic mix of small and large animals, offers animal-assisted therapy that research shows provides measurable emotional and physical benefits, reducing stress and anxiety while increasing social engagement and feelings of comfort.
The conversion was funded through a $6,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Monroe County’s Salow Family Endowment, established by the foundation’s former Executive Director, William Salow.
“We are deeply grateful to the Community Foundation of Monroe County for this grant that allows us to achieve a vision of creating a welcoming space to counsel groups and individuals, one that encourages community and invites vulnerable populations to share their innermost feelings with others. We’re honored to have the Foundation’s support in this important work,” said Anna Schankowski, the nonprofit farm’s Founder and President.
Schankowski, 51, is the Behavioral Health Coordinator for the Crestwood School District. A certified Clinical and Animal Assisted Therapist, she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. She and her husband, Mark, 51, founded Healing Hearts Therapeutic Farm in 2019.
According to Valerie Orr, Community Foundation of Monroe’s Executive Director: “Walking the farm and seeing the programming firsthand was powerful. You could feel how much trust and transformation happens in that barn-room. Creating a dedicated, weather-controlled space for group and animal-assisted therapy is not just a building improvement; it’s an investment in dignity, privacy, and healing. As the first grant from the Salow Family Endowment Fund, this project carries special significance for our foundation. It reflects William Salow’s vision for meaningful, lasting investments that strengthen our community in tangible ways.”
Research shows that a farm setting reduces the clinical feel of traditional therapy, making individuals feel more at ease, making opening up and engaging in the healing process more natural and less intimidating.
Studies also show that for many individuals, especially those who feel uncomfortable in office settings, the casual, outdoor farm atmosphere makes opening up and engaging in the healing process feel more natural and less intimidating. Open, transparent conversation can be transformative.
One of several specialized programs offered at the five-acre farm, the Keeper Program is designed for veterans returning from military service who often face psychological and emotional challenges.
According to a recent participant: “Being at the farm, around and interacting with the animals is a huge plus. It helps reduce my reluctance to voice my thoughts in a group and calms my fear of being judged by others. I sensed the same change in others. I look forward to joining with my other veteran brothers as we continue our healing and growth journeys,” he said.
For additional information about Healing Hearts Therapeutic Farm contact Anna Schankowski at healingheartstherapeuticfarm@gmail.com