About hope bandits
Take your hope back.
Hope Bandits is named in honor of Annie’s childhood dog, Bandit, who taught her about love, loyalty, and emotional safety. It also speaks to the bold act of reclaiming your hope—even when life has tried to take it from you.
Built on a simple belief that healing happens in relationship, we know that sometimes that’s with a therapist. And sometimes it’s with a horse, a dog, or just being outside and finally exhaling.
We work with people navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, perfectionism, and everything that comes with being the “strong one.” You don’t need the perfect words or a clear plan. You just have to show up.
Our approach blends trauma-informed therapy, nervous system regulation, and real connection—whether we’re in the office or out on the farm.
Our Approach
- Trauma-informed, client-centered care
- Nervous system regulation + practical tools
- Animal-assisted therapy (horses, dogs, chickens)
- Space to be honest, messy, and human
MEET THE TEAM
ANNIE GIPSON
LCSW, Founder & Lead Therapist
Annie is a client-centered, approachable clinician who leads with empathy, honesty, and a healthy dose of humor. Her Southern accent might sneak up on you from time to time, and there’s often a little glitter on the floor of her office. She brings nearly a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and adults through deep emotional healing.
Her background includes specialized training in trauma treatment, anxiety, ADHD, and codependency. She integrates a variety of modalities including CBT, DBT, creative expression, play therapy, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), with a special focus on animal-assisted interventions. Annie is EAGALA-trained and currently completing certification through Natural Lifemanship.
AMBER FENN
Equine Specialist
Amber is a steady, grounded presence who brings both deep horsemanship experience and a natural intuition for reading people and animals alike. Raised in Northern Arizona, her connection to horses began early through 4-H and grew into years of riding, teaching, and competing—including time as a rodeo queen and member of a drill team.
At Hope Bandits, Amber serves as a trauma-informed Equine Specialist, supporting both the herd and the clients who work alongside them. With a foundation in natural horsemanship, she helps create a space that feels safe, regulated, and connected, quietly guiding the kind of moments that make this work so impactful.
MEET OUR AnimalS
Gracie Lee • Chief Feeling Officer
Ruthie Belle • Junior Joy Specialist
Ruthie Belle • Junior Joy Specialist
Gracie is a resilient pup with a big heart and a sensitive soul. She specializes in co-regulation and comfort, particularly for clients navigating anxiety, sensory overwhelm, or trauma. She knows a lot about healing because she had to do it herself.
Ruthie Belle • Junior Joy Specialist
Ruthie Belle • Junior Joy Specialist
Ruthie Belle • Junior Joy Specialist
Ruthie is Gracie’s younger sister and brings golden retriever energy in all the best ways. She works primarily in the office, offering smiles, snuggles, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. She’s currently in training for additional certifications but already excels at giving the best hugs, spreading joy, and “accidentally” sneaking in kisses. Ruthie helps clients reconnect to joy, play, and the simple power of being greeted like a rock star.
Spice • The Soulful Leader
Ruthie Belle • Junior Joy Specialist
Spice • The Soulful Leader
Spice is our confident redhead and the lead mare of the herd. Once neglected and nearly lost to slaughter, she now leads with quiet power and deep intuition. She’s been unfairly labeled in the past, but her wise, grounded presence reminds us that healing is possible when trust is earned. The other horses look to her for guidance, and humans often find her both soulful and sassy in all the best ways.
Willow • The Cuddly Shadow
Luna • The Spirited Wildcard
Spice • The Soulful Leader
Willow wants nothing more than to be zipped inside your jacket and stay there forever. She’s a pocket horse through and through—gentle, affectionate, and stunningly beautiful. While she brings warmth and cuddles, she also navigates her own anxiety and is learning how to regulate through change and separation. She’ll fight you for snacks, but she’ll also melt your heart.
Duke • The Gentle Goofball
Luna • The Spirited Wildcard
Luna • The Spirited Wildcard
Duke is a retired rodeo horse who’s learning what it means to live life on his own terms. After years of compliance, he’s discovering how to make choices and stay present instead of dissociating. He’s strong, steady, and full of “dude energy”—and he has a hilarious habit of getting himself stuck between buildings. He loves kids, neck scratches, and building connected relationships at his own pace.
Luna • The Spirited Wildcard
Luna • The Spirited Wildcard
Luna • The Spirited Wildcard
Luna is the youngest member of the herd and was rescued from slaughter as an orphan. She’s still figuring out how to horse, how to trust, and how not to nip everyone she meets. Think awkward teenage energy meets tiny tornado. She’s sassy, smart, and full of personality—and while she’s still learning about boundaries, her playful nature and bond with Spice are helping her grow every day.
The Chickens • Emotional Support Cluckers
The Chickens • Emotional Support Cluckers
The Chickens • Emotional Support Cluckers
Don’t underestimate them. These quirky little beings have a lot to say about nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and the importance of snacks.
Come as you are. Really.
