A local nonprofit organization in Corrales, is utilizing the therapeutic power of equine-assisted therapy to impact lives positively.
Horses for Healing (HFH) provides trauma-informed, person-centered equine-assisted psychotherapy. This means they are licensed mental health professionals who use horses as part of mental health therapy, catering to individuals aged seven and up.
HFH is taking part in the Seen Through Horses national campaign, now in its third year, dedicated to raising awareness for Mental Health Awareness Month. The campaign’s mission is to promote awareness and accessibility regarding the therapeutic benefits of horses for mental health.
“A lot of people say horses are a mirror, we say horses are a reflection of you,†executive director of Horses for Healing Caitlin Erickson said. “Not in the sense of a mirror reflecting back to you, something more like reacting to you versus just reflecting.â€
According to Erickson, all therapists at HFH are either licensed social workers or licensed counselors. The organization has interns fostering the growth and development of new therapists.
She said that mental health professionals at HFH offer comprehensive care support and psychoeducation tailored to individual needs, which may not always require a trauma-informed approach. HFH’s services extend to individuals dealing with a range of conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, general life stress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism and attachment disorders in children.
The organization accepts most commercial insurance and Medicaid plans for its therapy programs. They also provide a veteran-specific program that is covered under a grant from the Behavioral Health Services Division of the New Mexico Human Services Department.
“That’s really amazing because it covers veterans and their family members free of cost for mental health services,†Erickson said.
HFH offers what they call wraparound services to about 90 people per week. The services include holistic yoga, acupuncture, trauma, relief, and massage. There is also a therapeutic vegetable garden for clients. Erickson said the yoga works on-site and incorporates the horses into her work, which has gotten positive feedback.
New patients undergoing treatment at HFH receive a safety orientation designed to familiarize them with understanding and working with the horses’ body language effectively to promote safety.
The patient gets to watch the herd and pick their horse, with the hope the patient feels connected to the animal. From there, patients are shown how to halter and groom their horses, building a relationship and building self-regulation.
“Just by being near a horse, research has actually shown it decreased your blood pressure and regulates your heart rate,†Erickson said.Â
The campaign
Seen Through Horses is a national campaign hosted by the nonprofit, Horses for Mental Health, and its mission is to spread awareness and accessibility of horses and mental health.
Across the country, 80 nonprofit organizations are actively participating in the month-long campaign. Within the campaign, each nonprofit conducts individual fundraising efforts to support their respective agencies.
According to Erickson, every dollar raised through this campaign goes directly towards supporting their horses and services. This includes expenses like hay, grain, veterinary care, and farrier services. Additionally, a portion of the funds is allocated to provide pro bono sessions to clients without insurance or facing financial hardships.
In a big move, HFH announced this week it has outgrown its current facility and they will be moving to a larger facility in the North Valley on Second Street.Â
To help support the organization, visit horsesforhealingnm.org/donate or find them on social media @horsesforhealingnm or call them 505-803-8722.