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A Warm Welcome at H.O.P.E. Ranch

When I walk into the front door at H.O.P.E. Ranch, I am usually greeted by a sweet, tortoise-shelled cat. I call her the Noble Doctor Pepper. She has earned that title!

She welcomes me to my appointment with a meow and leans in for a scratch on the ear. She’ll follow me into the waiting area, usually rubbing up against my leg as I sit down.

Lessons from a Feline Friend

Often, my appointments include topics about relationships – family, friends, professional, romantic, etc. I remember a lesson I learned from my sister: you can invite a cat to join you, but you cannot make it stay. Pepper continues to reiterate how important it is to let beings, animal or human, have their autonomy.

Pepper usually hops up to join me with a wiggling finger invitation. Even on the days in which I feel the enormous weight of what I bring to the office, Pepper places herself onto my torso and has a way of communicating, “You are caring for yourself just by being here. The next steps are not always going to be easy. And, you have the ability to get better.”

Practicing Gratitude

My practice of daily gratitude always includes Pepper when I have an appointment.

A Journey Toward Healing

I began my journey of mental health with Kit and H.O.P.E. Ranch nearly 20 years ago. I was a 13-year-old with so much anxiety, pain, and anger, I didn’t even know I wasn’t letting light in.

After receiving an initial diagnosis, my parents tried different therapists. I barely remember other appointments. I know they happened, and I know I. was. not. going. to. talk.

Then, I met Kit. And Honey. And the horses. And the cats. I saw the way she interacted with the animals and her patience with me. It took several sessions, but I know I made the conscious decision to trust this person. I’m so glad I did.

Carrying on a Legacy of Healing

The Noble Doctor Pepper joined the team in 2016 as a tiny baby kitten, along with her two siblings (may Bootsie rest in peace). She carries on a legacy of incredible animal-assisted therapy.

Thank you to all the animals of the past and present who help make H.O.P.E. Ranch a safe place to do the hard work.

Every visit to H.O.P.E. Ranch reminds me that healing doesn’t always come from words alone. Sometimes it comes from a quiet moment with a gentle creature who sees you exactly as you are. The Noble Doctor Pepper and the rest of the H.O.P.E. Ranch animal family remind us that love, trust, and presence are powerful forms of therapy.

At H.O.P.E. Ranch, we believe in the power of partnership—not just between clients and therapists, but also between humans and horses. Through the EAGALA Model (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), we harness the unique intelligence and emotional sensitivity of horses to create a transformative experience for those struggling with mental health challenges.

But why horses? What makes them such incredible therapy partners? The answer lies in their remarkable abilities.

Horses Are Highly Intelligent

Just like dogs, horses can be trained through positive reinforcement and even communicate their needs. Studies show they can learn to ask for a blanket by touching symbols on a board, demonstrating their capacity for advanced problem-solving. This intelligence makes them ideal for therapy—they are quick to respond, adaptable, and capable of engaging in complex interactions with clients.

Horses Can Uniquely Interpret Human Emotions

Horses don’t just see us—they feel us. These incredible animals can sense and interpret human emotions, often mirroring what a person is feeling. Whether someone approaches with anxiety, sadness, or confidence, the horse reacts accordingly. This makes them powerful partners in therapy, as they help clients become more aware of their own emotional states and learn to regulate them.

Horses Have Amazing Memories

Ever heard the phrase, “An elephant never forgets”? Well, horses come in second place! Their ability to remember past interactions helps build trust with clients over time. A horse will recall how a person treated them, how they approached, and even subtle changes in body language. This consistency provides clients with an opportunity to develop relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

Horses Are Great Communicators

Unlike humans, horses don’t hide their emotions—they express them openly through body language. By observing a horse’s ears, head position, and nostrils, clients at H.O.P.E. Ranch learn to interpret non-verbal communication. This skill translates into real-world benefits, helping individuals become more in tune with their own emotions and the emotions of those around them.

The EAGALA Model at H.O.P.E. Ranch

At H.O.P.E. Ranch, our equine-assisted therapy follows the EAGALA Model, a structured and research-backed approach to partnering with horses in mental health and personal development. This model is ground-based, meaning there’s no riding involved. Instead, clients work alongside horses to complete exercises designed to promote self-awareness, problem-solving, and emotional healing.

As H.O.P.E. Ranch Foundation board member and retired D.V.M. Caroline Baihly put it:

“Horses are incredibly intuitive. They don’t judge, they don’t lie, and they don’t have an agenda. That honesty creates a safe space where healing can begin. Watching our clients form connections with the horses is one of the most rewarding parts of our program.”

Experience the Power of Equine Therapy

If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other challenges, H.O.P.E. Ranch is here to help. Our equine therapy program offers a unique, effective, and compassionate approach to mental health support.

📞 Call us at 507-281-3033
📩 Visit us at hoperanchteam.com/contact

Interested in joining the H.O.P.E Ranch Board? Contact us at:   admin@hoperanchfoundation.org

#EquineTherapy #HealingWithHorses #HopeAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #EAGALA

Education: BA in Sociology, University of Minnesota – Duluth : Master’s in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (expected graduation 2025)

Place of Work: Program Manager, Community Education & Engagement, Planned Parenthood North Central States

Why I chose to join the board: My experience with H.O.P.E. Ranch continues to serve as a major factor in my ability to pursue and maintain health and happiness in my life. Through the years, Kit and the animals have been integral forces in helping to navigate challenges and anxiety. I believe therapy should be available, accessible, and de-stigmatized for everyone.

 The National Center for PTSD designates the entire month of June as PTSD Awareness Month in an effort to bring greater awareness to the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.)

WHAT IS PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health problem that can occur after someone has been exposed to a single traumatic event or multiple traumatic events, such as sexual or physical assault, natural or man-made disaster, and war-related combat stress. Those suffering experience symptoms such as persistent intrusive thoughts and distressing dreams about the traumatic event, triggered emotional responses to reminders of the trauma, trying to avoid thinking or talking about the trauma, and persistent hypervigilance for cues that indicate additional danger or trauma re-occurring.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD was created in 1989 by a congressional mandate. The goal was to address the needs of veterans with military-related PTSD.

After a traumatic event, the effects of the event fade over time for most people. But for others, the memories, thoughts, and feelings don’t go away – even months or years after the event is over. Mental health experts are not sure why some people develop PTSD and others do not.

POSSIBLE TREATMENTS FOR PTSD

There are many possible treatments for PTSD and a person may have to try a number of them before finding one that works: Counseling and Psychotherapy Treatments such as Cognitive Psychotherapy, Exposure Psychotherapy Eye Movement Desensitization, and Reprocessing for instance. Some suffering from PTSD may also benefit from anti-depressant medications.

There’s a rapidly growing interest in equine-assisted psychotherapy supporting the psychological health and family relationships of service members, veterans, and their families worldwide.

More than 30 VA Medical Centers are participating in Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) programs all around the US.

WHY HORSES

According to EAGALA.ORG, The experiential nature of working with horses through the EAGALA Model engages military personnel in their own healing process, with solutions that meet them squarely on their own terms.

Horses have a special ability to help people work through emotional barriers, serving as metaphors and powerful stand-ins for the people, issues, and challenges in the client’s life. The EAGALA Model leads to powerful emotional breakthroughs and life-changing insights for the client, strengthening resilience and coping skills. Through the efforts of facilitators certified with EAGALA Military Services designation, service members, veterans, and their families can more quickly and completely understand and integrate new perspectives and behaviors into their lives.

This is especially true and valuable for people who suffer the effects of trauma. With the EAGALA Model Psychotherapy, clients challenge themselves in activities with horses that remove much of the perceived stigma associated with traditional talk Psychotherapy treatment methods.

If you know a military person or anyone suffering from PTSD, consider horse Psychotherapy through the EAGALA Model.

“We have conducted a number of EAGALA EAP sessions. The veterans who participate tell me that never have they found a group or individual session so useful and life-changing and that they have found hope. After these workshops, many reflect frequently on the experience and skills learned and then take these lessons into their daily lives.”

– Susan T. Lisi, AFGE Local 3306 Chief Steward,
VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York

“Seeing how differently the horses reacted to each one of us has helped
me get closer to my wife. It has brought our entire family
closer than we have ever been.”