

MENTORSHIP ~ DISCIPLESHIP ~ HORSEMANSHIP

Our Path to Freedom (PTF) program is a faithful implementation of Recovery-HUB’s equine-assisted recovery resources, practical skills, and spiritual foundation that augment and enhance Christ-centered, 12-step and comparable approaches to healing from trauma, addiction, and emotional struggles. This is accomplished through the addition of particular and intentional Christian devotionals and horse-assisted encounters that can significantly enhance the recovery transformation process.
Through the powerful connection between humans and horses, we create a safe and transformative space where teens and adults can give voice to their struggles, find a sense of belonging, and experientially discover their God-given identity—allowing them to step into healing, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The PTF lessons combine some of Recovery-HUB founder and CEO Peter Gatto’s genuine personal testimony in brief Biblically-based devotionals with specifically selected experiential horse-assisted activities to help enliven, support, encourage, and strengthen Christ-centered recovery progress:
- 13 WEEKLY 1-HOUR RECOVERY LESSONS …
- LESSON 1: One Day at a Time
- LESSON 2: No One Recovers Alone
- LESSON 3: Powerlessness
- LESSON 4: Hope
- LESSON 5: Surrender
- LESSON 6: House Cleaning
- LESSON 7: Unconditional Love
- LESSON 8: Love Drives Out Fear
- LESSON 9: Transformation
- LESSON 10: Amends
- LESSON 11: Awareness
- LESSON 12: Communion with God
- LESSON 13: Purpose
- 13 ASSOCIATED HORSE-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES
- EAA 1: The 24-hour Window
- EAA 2: Herd Shift
- EAA 3: The Rope of Control
- EAA 4: Walking Into Hope
- EAA 5: The Bareback Trust Ride
- EAA 6: Hoof Care Inventory
- EAA 7: Walk-and-Talk: A Confession of the Heart
- EAA 8: T-Shirt Walk: Old to New
- EAA 9: Painting and Washing the Horse
- EAA 10: The Memory Trail
- EAA 11: Walk-and-Talk: A Confession of the Heart
- EAA 12: A Grounded Encounter
- EAA 13: Healed to Heal; Called to Go
This proven and successful equine-assisted approach is an outcome of Peter and Cher Gatto’s extensive ministry history and experience. Over the years it has helped guide many in recovery toward freedom and wholeness in Christ!






RECOVERY & HORSES (PATH TO FREEDOM) TESTIMONIALS
Matt (Apache)
I want to say I’m grateful for Victor & Helen for doing the Lord’s work by taking out their time to teach us life lessons through interacting with the horses and learning more about my work with the Lord and things I need to work on in my daily life and journey! Apache and I have built a strong bond and built a sacred relationship that words could never express! Every lesson I’ve grown stronger and started to dig deeper into solutions to live out the life God has called me to live! Again, thanks to God, Victor, and Helen, life is beautiful!!!
★★★★★
– Matt Hughes
Josh (Gypsy)
Gypsy taught me a lot about forgiveness. Spending time with her helped me realize I was holding on to pain. Something about her gentleness with me helped me discover that I had to let it go so I could make room for things that God had for me. Her power and spirit showed me a better way to think about my life and the world. I will never forget this horse. She is very dear to me.
★★★★★
– Josh Fortner
Joshua (Houdini)
Victor and Helen are incredible God-fearing people who have really helped me out through therapeutic time with the horses! The lessons that we have had relating everything through the Lord and interacting with my horse Houdini has been a special bond. I love Buddy (my own horse). He has taught me a lot about myself and my walk with the Lord and has allowed me to work on many personal areas in my journey with God. I have a very sacred relationship with Victor and Helen and of course Houdini! We continue to grow together!! Amen!!
★★★★★
– Joshua Ledford
Dale (Rio)
Gaining peace being around any animal is always special. With it being with such majestic creatures as horses is extra special.
★★★★★
– Dale Selby
Marcus (Houdini)
I really enjoy spending time with the horses. Victor and Helen are a true blessing. They are very kind and caring. The Path to Freedom program puts Christ front and center and I feel like it is aiding my recovery process.
★★★★★
– Marcus Melhus
Ivan (Cinnamon)
The horses are amazing. It helped me to relax and calm, and I told my horse stuff that I didn’t want to tell anyone. It is a really great program and I can’t wait to start back up again.
★★★★★
– Ivan Smalley
Troy (Apache)
What I get out of the horses is very therapeutic. It helps me with calming me down and keeping my mind off other things. I look forward to working with the horses every week. I also love learning about the horses. It keeps my spirits up. I also like it because the program is Bible related. Thank you Victor and Helen for everything that you guys do for us!
★★★★★
– Troy Dotson
Brett (Rio)
For me I don’t know how to really describe it, because the days I have to go I sometimes don’t want to go for different reasons. But once I’m there all that goes away and I just get this peaceful happiness feeling and I always leave being glad that I came that day. So I just want to thank both of you [Victor and Helen] for what you all are doing and I’m looking forward to learning more horsemanship from you guys..
★★★★★
– Brett Miner
Austin (Gypsy)
I feel very blessed to have been able to work with Victor and Helen. They are so amazing, caring, and they love God and care about us so much. I am so thankful for them. Just being around the horses was amazing.
★★★★★
– Austin Pruett
*** ALSO REQUIRED ***
To satisfy our insurance requirements, a signed Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity
is required for each participant. You can download and review a copy here:

Are you interested?
Our 13-week Path to Freedom program is FREE of charge to approved participants.
To explore how this opportunity could enhance your particular recovery programming here in East Tennessee, please call or text us at (423) 268-4126.
Peter Gatto: Founder and CEO of Recovery-HUB, www.r-hub.org; Founder of Rancho el Camino (La Paz, Mexico) www.ranchoelcamino.org; 25 years in pastoral and cross-cultural missions and 33 years in recovery.
Cher Gatto: Founder of Recovery-HUB and Rancho el Camino; Master’s degree in psychology; published author.



