Meet Ashley Rae Colwell

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Rae Colwell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley Rae, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I think that it happened over time. I have always had a special place in my hearts for people with special needs and also for anyone to anything that needed help. I have always been the girl even since I was young to bring home the hurt bird, lost dog, etc. I love to help and have compassion for those in need.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist and the founder of a nonprofit organization called Horse Assisted Learning & Therapy Inc. (H.A.L.T). We specialize in equine-assisted therapy, using rescued horses to support children and adults with special needs, veterans, and individuals working through mental health challenges and substance abuse recovery.

What I find most special about our work is the incredible bond between humans and horses. Horses are deeply intuitive animals—they mirror our emotions and help create a safe space for healing, growth, and connection. I’ve seen firsthand how our clients find confidence, calm, and new ways to communicate through these unique therapy sessions.

My passion for this work grew from my career in speech therapy and my lifelong love of horses. I wanted to create a place where people could experience transformative therapy outside traditional clinical settings.

We’re currently expanding our programs to serve more members of the community. Our vision is to be a welcoming, inclusive space where anyone can come to heal, learn, and connect. Whether it’s helping a veteran cope with PTSD, supporting a child with special needs, or providing a safe haven for those recovering from addiction, we believe in the power of horses to change lives.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Compassion has been the heart of my work as a Speech-Language Pathologist and in founding our nonprofit. Understanding people’s struggles and meeting them where they are is essential, whether you’re helping someone find their voice or supporting them through trauma.

Resilience has carried me through the challenges of starting and growing a nonprofit. There are always obstacles—funding, logistics, learning curves—but staying focused on our mission and refusing to give up has made all the difference.

Curiosity has driven me to keep learning, explore creative ways to help others, and blend fields like speech therapy and equine-assisted therapy in innovative ways. It keeps my work fresh and deeply meaningful.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is: lead with compassion, because genuine care builds trust and impact; embrace challenges as part of the process, because resilience grows with each obstacle you overcome; and stay curious, because your unique blend of interests and ideas is where innovation and purpose often meet.”

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

“The number one obstacle we’re facing right now is finding a permanent home for our nonprofit. We have all the pieces in place—our programs, our rescued horses, a dedicated team—but we need a 10-acre property in Jupiter Farms where we can build a facility designed for our community’s needs.

Our vision includes a barn, therapy spaces, and full accessibility for individuals who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges. Right now, we’re operating in spaces that limit how many people we can serve and what kinds of sessions we can offer.

To overcome this challenge, we’re actively working on a capital campaign, seeking grants, community partnerships, and private donors who believe in our mission. We’re also spreading the word about the impact our programs have on veterans, individuals with special needs, and those in mental health recovery. It’s a big goal, but we’re determined because we know how life-changing this work can be.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Ashley Rae Colwell, M.S.,CCC-SLP

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Finding & Living with Purpose

Over the years we’ve had the good fortunate of speaking with thousands of successful entrepreneurs,

Resilience
Ignoring the Naysayers

Almost everything that’s changed the world in a positive way has been an unreasonable idea.

Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society