Harmony in the Pasture: Eloheh Equine Offers a New Path to Healing in Rome
Have you ever felt that unmistakable sense of peace that comes from being in nature? The quiet strength of an old tree, the gentle breeze across an open field. For Suzanne Agan, that peace is found in the pasture, alongside the thousand-pound animal that has been a part of her life for over 32 years. Now, she is turning that passion into a powerful ministry to serve women in our community. It’s called Eloheh Equine, and it’s a story of faith, healing, and the profound connection between humans and horses.
The name itself, Eloheh (pronounced Ay-luh-hay), is the first hint of the ministry’s deep purpose. It is a Cherokee word that means harmony, wholeness, abundance, and peace. For Suzanne, the name captured the exact space she envisioned creating for women in the Rome area who are undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.
“My goal is really just to create space for people to heal in the way that they need to heal,” Suzanne says. As a Christ-centered ministry, the belief is that God heals through His creation, and that horses were uniquely made for this purpose.
All Roads Led Here
Suzanne’s journey to founding Eloheh Equine feels like a lifetime in the making. With a PhD in Wildlife Management and a history as a wildlife biologist, she is a university professor who teaches Environmental Science and Conservation Biology. She’s also a pastor’s wife, deeply involved in ministry work alongside her husband. For years, she’s been riding and training horses.
“Equine Therapy really brings together my educational background, my science background, my Ministry background, my horse background,” Suzanne shared. “It really kind of just puts everything in this one bucket for me to be able to serve”.
The final push came to her one day last summer while riding in her pasture. A clear message came to her: The time is now. That moment set the wheels in motion. Another moment came when she connected with Amanda Rhodarmer, who now serves as the president of Eloheh’s board and works in oncology medicine. Their shared passion and expertise solidified the ministry’s focus: to serve women walking through the challenges of cancer.
Each step of the way has been a journey and looking back, Suzanne says she wouldn’t change a thing. She says, “The process of learning and growing is so critical that mistakes are invaluable. Everything I have done and experienced has gotten me to where I am now, and I wouldn’t change that.”
More Than Just a Petting Zoo
For those wondering what equine therapy entails, Suzanne emphasizes that it goes far beyond a simple feel-good visit with a horse. The therapy offered at Eloheh Equine is a comprehensive, holistic experience, designed to heal the body, mind, and spirit.
Suzanne explained that physically, the therapy helps women rebuild muscle, stamina, strength, coordination, and balance. Mentally, it has been shown to help overcome depression and anxiety while building trust and personal relationships. The program uses a natural horsemanship approach, meaning new clients may spend the first two months building a connection with the horse from the ground—grooming, learning how to interact, and creating a bond of trust before ever getting on its back.
“My goal is really just to create space for people to heal in the way that they need to heal,” Suzanne says. As a Christ-centered ministry, the belief is that God heals through His creation and that horses were uniquely made for this purpose.
Community-Built and Community-Focused
Starting a non-profit from scratch was a huge challenge, especially the business side of things. A major breakthrough came when Suzanne partnered with Orchard, an Atlanta-based organization that helps faith-based non-profits get started, free of charge. “That has been a miracle worker,” she says of the guidance that helped her establish Eloheh as a 501(c)(3) with the IRS.
The support system also includes her husband, a five-member board of directors, and a seven-person prayer team that constantly prays for the future clients, the animals, and the ministry.
For anyone wanting to make a difference in the community, Suzanne encourages others to start preparing now for where they want to be in 5 years. Who do you want to be? Don’t strive to be anyone else; rather, be the best version of yourself. Read the best books on leadership and by experts in your field. Reach out to and surround yourself with people who will help you be successful. Be intentional even in the waiting.
Incredibly, this powerful, life-changing therapy will be offered completely free of charge to its clients. This makes community support not just helpful, but essential.
How You Can Partner with Eloheh Equine
As Eloheh Equine prepares to open its doors on December 1st, 2025, the biggest challenge is fundraising. The more funding they receive, the more women they can serve by bringing on more horses and expanding program hours. If you feel moved to support this incredible local ministry, here are a few ways you can help:
- Donate Financially: You can make a one-time or recurring monthly donation through the “Partner With Us” page on their website, https://www.elohehequine.org/
- Donate Supplies: Eloheh has wish lists on Amazon and Tractor Supply where you can purchase specific items they need, from horse feed to riding helmets.
- Spread the Word: Share their mission with friends, family, and local businesses who may be looking for a meaningful cause to support. Awareness is the first step to building a strong foundation.
For Suzanne, and for the women Eloheh Equine will serve, the mission is guided by a favorite scripture, Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”. That is the hope she wants to share—a future without fear, filled with harmony, wholeness, and peace.
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