OUR MISSION & VALUES

WELCOME TO HOOVES OF HOPE AUSTRALIA! YOUR JOURNEY TO RECOVERY, WELLNESS AND INDEPENDENCE STARTS HERE...

At SIRIAN STAR our work goes far beyond therapy and support — it’s about walking alongside individuals on their most courageous journeys. From trauma recovery to embracing neurodivergence, from the paddock to the counselling room, our values are the heart of everything we do. They shape how we connect, support, and empower — and they make our services a safe space where transformation is possible.

Here’s what we stand for:

Every person who walks through our gates — or finds sanctuary amongst our horses at Hooves of Hope  — is met with unconditional positive regard. We honour stories, not just symptoms. We listen without judgment, and we support without reservation.

Whether it’s a young person finding their voice beside a horse, or an adult reclaiming control after years of feeling lost — our programs are designed to empower. We believe healing and growth happen in connection: with animals, with trusted professionals, and most importantly, within oneself.

Our services aren’t just heart-led — they’re backed by science. From Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) to somatic approaches and trauma-informed frameworks, we ensure everything we deliver is grounded in the latest research and best practice models. We are proud to be an ATO-approved Research and Development project and are committed to lifting the standards in Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning across Australia.

We believe in working with, not for. Our multidisciplinary team — including ACA-registered counsellors, certified equine specialists, and mental health practitioners — collaborate closely with families, support coordinators, schools, and NDIS planners. Our inclusive environment celebrates diversity, honours lived experience, and adapts to individual needs, including those of LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disability, and children under guardianship.

Ethics, transparency, and professional accountability are non-negotiable. We don't cut corners. From NDIA compliance to animal welfare, we ensure every program, partnership, and practitioner reflects our commitment to doing things the right way. We’re actively working to set credible standards in a field that’s often under-regulated.

At the heart of Hooves of Hope is a simple truth: horses are not tools — they are partners. We honour their sentience, their needs, and their role in the therapeutic process. Our retired racehorses are given a second purpose: to become powerful agents of healing and growth.

Hope isn’t fluffy — it’s a decision we make, even in the face of trauma, hardship, or uncertainty. We hold hope when our clients can’t. We plant seeds of belief until they can bloom. And we celebrate every moment of progress, no matter how small.

At Sirian Star, we’re not just providing a service, we show you a life. We’re walking alongside change. One session, one horse, one heart at a time.

If our values resonate with you — whether you're a participant, a practitioner, or a passionate advocate — we invite you to join us. Because healing is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone, though we realised there were gaps. Significant ones. The people who needed help the most weren't getting it, and it was becoming a case of the "haves and haves not". Being more than a little bit "spooky doo", this injustice didn't sit well with us, and thus we have thrown our efforts into helping people and giving them a lifeline (as I was some years ago). 

- Renae Gunn

Founder of Sirian Star & Hooves of Hope Australia