Care and concern for other living things is at the foundation for living. Crossroads Group Home strives to protect and heal two fragile yet very important populations through residential treatment programs located in Greenville, SC: abused children and abused animals.  The very concept for our program was fashioned on the belief that healing for children who have been separated from parents and loved ones due to abuse is possible through healthy interactions with other living things. These interactions provide experiences that teach respect, foster creativity, instill self worth, encourage healthy attachments and assist the children in becoming whole again.
 
Crossroads Group Home opened its' doors in 1994 as a home and treatment center for children that had experienced severe sexual, emotional and physical trauma.  The treatment program is based on the philosophy that animals provide the nurturing experiences that significantly reduce barriers to healthy living.  Extraordinary effort is put forth by staff to integrate a special experience with an animal into the child's treatment when they are in need.  Therapeutic riding and individual lessons are offered to the children each week and in return the animals receive excellent care and a lot of love!
 
We are especially proud of the rescue efforts with horses as well as other animals who have endured neglect and abuse similar to the children we treat.  Our first rescue involved two horses that had been literally starved and neglected to the point that they were days from death's door.  We transported the horses to a safe haven prior to integrating them into the program.  After weeks of care, including veterinary assessments, development of a nutritionally sound diet and visits with the ferrier and equine dentist, the horses were able to travel "home"!  The excitement we saw in the children was overwhelming. Once they began to assist in the healing process with the horses, we saw a positive change within the children.  They no longer felt powerless or felt as if they were throw away children.  The horses helped then to open up and feel a sense of belonging for the first time in their lives.
 
The children have learned many lessons through their work with the horses.  We are able to teach through the animals that life is not always perfect.  They understand that every living thing has tremendous value and worth. Animals we rescue that are not appropriate for interaction with the children are nurtured back to health and placed in loving homes that will care for and love them.
 
It is wonderful to see the bonding that occurs with the children and animals.  We know the horses have helped our children trust, nurture and love again.  The animals then become the critical link which connects them to other people and greatly enrich all of our lives.  The horses have been utilized in the program for over three years.  Blaze, a twenty-six year old grade horse, is now a "pasture buddy".  He served the children well for almost three years until his vision became to dangerous for the children to ride him safely.  Larry, a palomino, died in May from colic.  Larry was a very patient and loving twenty-five year old horse.  We were able to build a small building on the property for the girls to use as an equine library in dedication and memory of Larry.  The love we received from him and all of our other horses will forever remain a dear part of lives.