Equine Therapy at Deer Hollow: A Powerful Path to Healing Trauma, Addiction, and PTSD

If you’re struggling to find the right way to heal from trauma, addiction, or PTSD, traditional talk therapy may not feel like enough. That’s why Deer Hollow offers Equine Therapy—a transformative and experiential approach that helps you heal through connection, mindfulness, and emotional growth. Guided by licensed therapists and Equine specialists, this therapy allows you to rebuild trust, process emotions, and find peace with the help of one of nature’s most intuitive animals: the horse.

Healing starts here. Call Deer Hollow at (801) 679-6669 to learn how Equine Therapy can change your life.

What Is Equine Therapy?

Equine Therapy, also called Equine Assisted Therapy, is a unique type of treatment that involves working with horses as part of the healing process. Horses are incredibly sensitive to human emotions and behaviors. They can mirror what you’re feeling in the moment, providing non-verbal, honest feedback that helps you recognize and process your emotions.

In Equine Therapy, you’ll engage in activities like grooming, leading, and observing horses. These interactions promote self-awareness, mindfulness, and emotional regulation—all critical skills for healing from trauma, addiction, and PTSD.

How Equine Therapy Works

  1. Building Trust Through Connection: Horses require trust and consistency in their interactions, which helps you develop similar qualities in your relationships with others.
  2. Emotional Feedback: Horses naturally respond to your emotional state, offering real-time feedback that helps you recognize, understand, and process your feelings.
  3. Experiential Healing Activities: During Equine Therapy sessions, you’ll participate in hands-on activities like:
    • Grooming the horse to build connection and trust.
    • Leading the horse through obstacles to develop problem-solving skills.
    • Observing the horse’s behavior to reflect on your own emotions and actions.

These activities are safe, empowering, and designed to help you grow emotionally.

Why Equine Therapy Is Effective for Trauma, Addiction, and PTSD

Equine Therapy works because it engages your mind, body, and emotions in ways that traditional talk therapy alone cannot.

Here’s why it’s so effective:

  • For Trauma Recovery: Horses provide a calm and non-judgmental presence, helping you feel safe enough to process and release painful memories.
  • For Addiction Recovery: Equine Therapy helps you replace unhealthy coping mechanisms with emotional awareness and self-regulation skills.
  • For PTSD Treatment: Interacting with horses reduces hypervigilance, anxiety, and emotional numbness, helping you reconnect with yourself and others.
Deer Hollow applies Equine Assisted Therapy to help nurse heal from trauma and addiction, showcasing its expertise in treating first responders and veterans.
Research shows that Equine Therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms by up to 60% (NIH).

Deer Hollow applies Equine Assisted Therapy to help law enforcement officers heal from trauma and addiction, showcasing its expertise in treating first responders and veterans.

Who Can Benefit from Equine Therapy?

Equine Therapy is especially beneficial for people who:

  • Have difficulty expressing or processing emotions due to trauma or PTSD.
  • Are recovering from addiction and need healthier ways to cope with stress.
  • Experience anxiety, depression, or emotional dysregulation.
  • Want to rebuild trust in themselves and others.

This therapy is also ideal for families who want to strengthen emotional connections and learn new ways to support one another.

Why Choose Deer Hollow for Equine Therapy?

Deer Hollow offers an unparalleled healing experience that combines compassion, expertise, and proven results.

  • Expertise in Trauma: We specialize in treating complex trauma, addiction, and PTSD, providing therapies that address root causes.
  • Comprehensive Treatment Options: Deer Hollow offers more than 10 evidence-based therapies, including EMDR, DBT, and CPT, alongside Equine Therapy. This holistic approach leads to better outcomes.
  • Tranquil Environment: Our serene, natural setting provides the perfect backdrop for emotional growth and reflection.
Deer Hollow applies Equine Assisted Therapy to help firefighter heal from trauma and addiction, showcasing its expertise in treating first responders and veterans.
Deer Hollow applies Equine Assisted Therapy to help first responder heal from trauma and addiction, showcasing its expertise in treating first responders and veterans.

What to Expect During Equine Therapy at Deer Hollow

  • Safe and Supportive Sessions: You’ll work off-site with an Equine specialist who will guide each session in a safe and compassionate environment.
  • No Experience Required: Whether you’ve worked with horses before or not, you’ll feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.
  • Building Life Skills: You’ll practice trust, communication, mindfulness, and problem-solving—all essential skills for long-term recovery.

Equine Therapy at Deer Hollow

At Deer Hollow, we offer equine therapy as part of our Inpatient Care / Residential Care. These off-site sessions provide a unique opportunity for personal growth, emotional awareness, and communication skills, complementing your overall recovery experience.

Our Levels of Clinical Care:

  1. Inpatient Care / Residential Care: Approximately 35 days of intensive therapy in a safe, supportive environment.
  2. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A minimum of 6 weeks of daytime care, allowing you to spend evenings at home or in supportive living.
  3. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Approximately 4-8 weeks of structured daytime care, with clients returning home or to supportive living in the evenings. This step-down approach ensures you’re fully prepared to transition back into everyday life, reducing the likelihood of needing repeated treatment.

Client Success Stories: Real Transformations Through Equine Therapy

“I never thought I could feel safe again, but the bond I formed with the horses helped me trust not only them, but myself. Deer Hollow changed my life.”

– Former Client

“The combination of Equine Therapy and trauma-focused care at Deer Hollow gave me the tools I needed to start over. I feel like myself again for the first time in years.”

– Former Client

Take the First Step Toward Healing Today

Equine Therapy at Deer Hollow offers a compassionate, experiential approach to healing from trauma, addiction, and PTSD. With a focus on trust, mindfulness, and emotional growth, this therapy helps you build the skills needed for lasting recovery.