Meet Us

OUR MISSION

“Hesed” is a Hebrew word meaning God’s steadfast love and mercy which is crucial to the mission of Acts of Hesed where we seek to create a safe and welcoming space where people can encounter hope, rebuild trust, and experience healing relationships.

Anne Chapdelaine
President & Founder
Equine Specialist

Jill Fleischner
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW

About Anne:

From the moment my parents bought me my first pony at age seven, I was hooked. Horses have always been a source of inner peace and well-being for me.

After spending years as a university Dean of Students, I witnessed firsthand the growing need for mental health support. That experience, combined with my lifelong love of horses, led me to discover EAGALA and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. It was the perfect way to merge my passion with a meaningful purpose—helping others find healing and hope.

Acts of Hesed was born from that vision. Today, as Chief Operating Officer for the Sisters of Providence Ministry Corp. and Executive Director of the farm, I use my leadership and operational experience to ensure we provide a safe, transformative space for those seeking growth and healing.

Welcome to the farm!

About Jill:

I have maintained a private psychotherapy practice for over twenty years. Within my practice I have had the opportunity to work with people of all ages. Many of these individuals have faced numerous life transitions and challenges. These include struggles with chronic medical problems, depression, anxiety,
ADHD, addiction, eating disorders, and trauma. Through these relationships, I have witnessed the healing power of therapy, along with the resiliency of the human spirit.
Like so many, I have found nature and the outdoors to help fortify me, in both my personal and professional life. In addition, I have had a love of animals and farm life. So, when I discovered equine therapy and Eagala it seemed such a perfect fit for me to become involved. I became eager to learn
everything about it and to utilize it as a transformative healing modality.

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Steven Robbins – Pastor

Ministry Leader

Steven Robbins brings more than 15 years of experience in pastoral ministry and Christian school leadership and administration. A graduate of Heritage Baptist Institute of the Bible and an ordained Baptist minister, Steven has devoted his life to Christ-centered leadership, discipleship, and the spiritual formation of individuals, children, and families. In addition to ministry, Steven has a deep love for hospitality. While he has no formal culinary training, cooking has long been a cherished hobby and creative outlet. He delights in serving his family during holidays and celebrations, carrying forward fond memories of baking bread alongside his grandmother, moments that shaped his love for gathering people around the table.

Today, he partners with his wife, Anne Chapdelaine, in leading Acts of Hesed Farm, an equine-assisted growth and learning ministry dedicated to fostering healing and restoration through God’s hesed – His steadfast lovingkindness. Through the beauty of God’s creation and the unique partnership between horses and people, Steven and Anne support others in their journey toward hope, renewal, and wholeness.