‘Rescued Hearts’ screening pairs documentary with local equine mental health practitioners. Photo: Annika Treial
The May 21 screening at Jim Santy Auditorium will be followed by a discussion with local equine mental health professionals.
PARK CITY, Utah — A documentary about the healing relationship between horses and humans will screen at the Jim Santy Auditorium on Thursday, May 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., presented by Liberty Sanctuary and the Equellness Center. The event is being offered for Mental Health Awareness Month, and a panel discussion with local practitioners will follow the film.
“Rescued Hearts,” directed by Dana Croschere and Krisanna Sexton, is a two-hour documentary that explores the science and lived experience of equine-assisted healing. The film was shot over two and a half years across five countries and 31 cities, and grew out of a moment Croschere witnessed while volunteering with children on the autism spectrum — a seven-year-old boy who had never spoken said his first words while interacting with a horse. Since its 2025 premiere, the film has won Best Documentary at the Tryon International Film Festival, Best of Festival at Lady Filmmakers Film Festival, and the Hope Award at the EQUUS International Film Festival. It is rated PG-13 for sensitive themes related to healing journeys.
The post-film discussion will be moderated by Lynn Thomas, founder of Arenas for Change and co-founder of the Eagala Model and Horses for Mental Health. Panelists include Alejandra Lara, executive director of the Equellness Center; Beila Edelman of BE Coaching at Liberty Sanctuary; and Lisa Finnell and Dr. Bill Marchand of the Equine Empowerment Center, whose Whispers With Horses program serves veterans in collaboration with the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. The event is co-sponsored by Beila Edelman Coaching, the Equine Empowerment Center, and Horses for Mental Health.
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Liberty Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) equine nonprofit that rescues horses from the slaughter pipeline and partners with programs serving veterans with PTSD, people in recovery from substance use, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence. The sanctuary cares for more than 30 rescued equines, supported by more than 60 volunteers, and is home to more wild horses than any sanctuary in Utah. Its national advocacy work includes SAFEACT.org, which supports the Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act now before Congress.
Tickets are available at LibertySanctuary.org/tickets.
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