Who We Are
Our Mission
Horses Helping Humans
Healing through the empathic power of the horse.
Our Vision
A more connected, healthy, and compassionate community.
Founded in 2000, Medicine Horse is a non-profit organization that provides equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning sessions either free of charge or by donation. Our mission is simple yet profound: Horses Helping Humans; Healing through the empathic power of the horse.
At Medicine Horse, we believe in the unique connection between humans and animals as a pathway to healing. Our licensed therapists partner with a compassionate herd of therapy horses to provide mental health support to diverse groups, including veterans, active-duty service members, individuals recovering from substance use, members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals impacted by breast cancer, trauma and abuse survivors, underserved youth and so many more.
What Makes Us Unique?
Horses, animals, and nature, coupled with therapeutic expertise, make what we do at Medicine Horse truly transformative. These equine-facilitated experiences foster mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. Participants often find moments of clarity, connection, and healing that are difficult to achieve in traditional therapeutic settings.
What is Equine Facilitated Therapy & Learning?
Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) and Learning (EFL) are unique approaches involving experiential therapeutic activities with horses, guided by a licensed therapist. These methodologies are supported by numerous studies showing their efficacy with a variety of populations. Participants in equine-facilitated therapy and learning programs have reported experiencing numerous benefits including reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, improved self-esteem and self-awareness, better communication, and increased overall wellbeing.
Our Values
To heal through connection
We believe that healing happens through relationship, and relationship begins with connection — to ourselves, our surroundings and others. The horses offer us a safe, forgiving, and non-judgmental place to experience the healing connection of relationships.
To transform
We believe that horses hold an ability to transform human lives for the better. When we listen, horses teach us to ground, to be present, and to connect. Working with our horses and therapists can lead to great personal insight and understanding.
To respect and honor the horse
We respect and honor the wisdom of the horse. We demonstrate this by making session interactions voluntary for our horses, and listening to and responding to their individual needs and requests.
To serve
We serve diverse populations respecting the dignity and value of each individual. We are committed to creating an inclusive and compassionate environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. By honoring each person’s unique journey, we strive to foster connection, understanding, and meaningful support.