Become a Part of Our Herd

Written by Anna Casperin, Programs Manager

On the farm, the herd is always teaching us something.

It might be the way one horse hangs back, quietly watching, or how another steps forward to lead without force. It might be how the group shifts together when something changes, each member aware of the others, each movement connected.

At Medicine Horse, the herd is more than the horses. It is the people who show up, each in their own way.

What it means to be part of the herd:

Being part of the herd does not mean that you have to arrive with a plan, a goal, or even certainty. Horses do not ask for that. They respond to presence, honesty, and awareness. The same is true here.

Some people join the herd by stepping into a group program. Others arrive through volunteering, attending an event, or supporting the work from afar. Some come for a season, some for many years, and some return when life brings them back around.

Every role matters.

Just like in a herd, there is no single way to belong.

Healing Happens in Connection

Much of the work at Medicine Horse centers on connection. Connection to self, to others, to

animals, and to the natural world. The horses model this effortlessly. They are attuned to what is happening around them and within themselves, and they adjust accordingly.

When people enter this space, they are invited to do the same. To slow down. To notice. To listen.

We see it in teen groups when trust begins to form. We see it in adults who find relief in realizing they are not alone. We see it in veterans reconnecting with a sense of safety and belonging. We see it in moments that are quiet and moments that are full of laughter.

The herd holds all of it.

"I joined Medicine Horse as a skeptical non-horse-person, on the urging of some very kind people. What I found is a profound respect for the work these folks and animals do! My herd now proudly includes the creatures and folks that inhabit Medicine Horse and make it such a safe, welcoming, and special place!" -- A. Franks, USAF OEF&OIF Veteran

Many Paths, One Community

There is no checklist for being a part of our herd.

You might come to:

• Participate in a support group or individual therapy

• Bring your family to a community gathering

• Volunteer your time with the horses or events

• Support the mission so others can access services

• Follow along, share our work, or simply keep us in mind.

Each path contributes to the whole. Each connection strengthens the community.

Rooted in the Past, Growing Forward.

For 25 years, Medicine Horse has been shaped by the people who have walked through our gates and the horses who have shared this land. The herd has grown, shifted, and adapted, while remaining grounded in the same core belief: healing happens when we feel safe, seen, and connected.

As new faces arrive and familiar ones return, the herd continues to evolve. That evolution is what keeps this work alive.

An Open Invitation

If you ever wondered if there is a place for you here, there is.

If you are looking for connection, reflection, or simply a space to breathe, the herd is waiting.

However you arrive, and however long you stay, you are welcome

Become a part of our herd today!