Champs Heart Equine Encounters, an Idaho Falls organization dedicated to providing therapeutic horse encounters for veterans and children with special needs, has received the inaugural Idaho Service Spotlight award from U.S. Senator Jim Risch.
The senator read the recognition into the Senate record on August 7, honoring the nonprofit’s work serving roughly 400 participants each month. The organization relies on approximately 2,200 volunteer hours monthly to operate, facing expenses exceeding $20,000 per month.
From Personal Loss to Community Mission
Champs Heart was founded in 2019 by Larry Cudmore, whose path to establishing the organization traces back to a profound personal struggle. Cudmore was diagnosed with severe prostate cancer in 2016 and underwent treatment in Salt Lake City. During his medical journey, he met Emily, a cancer patient from Ashton who was also receiving care there. The two formed a meaningful connection during their shared battle with the disease.
Before Emily’s death in December 2017, Cudmore made a promise to bring a horse named Champ to visit her in Ashton. That commitment would eventually inspire the foundation of his nonprofit mission. After completing his own cancer treatment, Cudmore retired and channeled his experience into creating a program that could serve others facing their own hardships.
Cudmore explained the organization’s approach: “Often times these children and people are underserved and overwhelemed with financial burdens, so we want them to come in.” The program removes financial barriers to participation, ensuring that cost does not prevent vulnerable populations from accessing the therapeutic benefits of equine interaction, as first reported by the Local News 8.
Rigorous Horse Selection and Friday Veterans Gatherings
All horses entering the Champs Heart program undergo an eight-week probationary period before being cleared to work with participants. This careful vetting ensures that animals are suitable temperamentally and physically for therapeutic work with sensitive populations.
On Friday evenings, Champs Heart hosts riding events specifically designed for veterans, conducted in partnership with Operation Freedom Recovery. That program is run by Dan Miller, a military veteran who has personally navigated PTSD recovery. Miller described the Friday gatherings as more than just recreational activities: “It’s just a great place to gather. But also, if you’re looking to network or connect with other veterans that are interested in finding recovery resources, it’s a great gathering for that.”, as first reported by the Local News 8
The collaboration creates a dual benefit—therapeutic equine engagement and peer support among those who share similar service backgrounds and challenges.
Path to National Recognition
Cudmore’s nomination for the Idaho Service Spotlight originated through an internal submission process. He wrote the nomination materials and submitted them to his work center for Eastern Idaho, which then forwarded the application to Senator Risch’s office in Washington, D.C. for staff review.
The recognition represents the first Idaho Service Spotlight award presented by the senator, highlighting Champs Heart’s impact on the state’s veteran and special-needs communities.
Individuals interested in supporting Champs Heart through volunteering can find applications at champsheart.org. The organization continues to seek community members willing to contribute time and energy to its mission of serving underserved populations through therapeutic equine programs.
Similar community initiatives continue to gain recognition across Idaho. The Bingham County Food Pantry recently received a surprise donation of household goods from an anonymous group, demonstrating the broader landscape of grassroots service organizations working across the state. Meanwhile, community events like the EICAP Head Start open house continue to bring families together in support of local youth and family services.
What Comes Next
Champs Heart intends to continue expanding its capacity to serve veterans and children with special needs. With volunteer recruitment ongoing and monthly participant numbers steady at approximately 400, the organization faces the challenge of sustaining operations while maintaining the quality care and careful horse selection that defines its program. The senator’s recognition may help raise awareness of the organization’s work and attract additional community support and volunteers needed to meet ongoing demand.