The Equine Healing Collaborative was created to provide a path to recovery, self-discovery, personal growth, a re-connection with the natural world, and/or emotional insight and health. EHC offers more than just traditional talk therapy and uses interventions such as equine assisted therapy, mindfulness, and mindful equine massage to promote health and quality of life for individuals seeking change.
Our big idea is to strengthen The Equine Healing Collaborative, a nonprofit where rescued equines and humans recover together. For ten years, we’ve provided trauma-informed, equine-assisted psychotherapy to children, first responders, veterans, and families impacted by crisis. Our work reduces stigma, promotes recovery, and offers a unique pathway to healing through the presence of rescued horses.
Funds from Monterey County Gives! will support the care of our therapy herd, expand access to mental health services for underserved communities, and sustain programs that foster connection, dignity, and recovery. With your support, we can continue offering evidence-based mental health care in a setting where healing is not rushed, clients are seen without judgment, and the unconditional presence of horses makes recovery possible.
For the year 2024, between all programming, the EHC has offered mental health services to over 2000 people. At any given time, 400 to 450 people are receiving individual psychotherapy. The EHC runs 20 groups a year including groups for teens, parents, educators, homeless women, and women from traumatic backgrounds, each group runs 6 to 12 weeks and serves approximately 300 individuals. We also offer day long retreats and have serviced, law enforcement, first responders, doctors, nurses, staff from other non profit agencies, severely mentally ill, child protective services workers, and veterans (126 individuals) We have also offered psychoeducational programming to school age youth directed at destigmatising mental health and asking for help through “Mini Horses, Big Feelings” 1,200 children
At Equine Healing Collaborative, I’ve witnessed our horses offer something truly rare, unconditional love and deep, intuitive connection. They sense what our clients need, even when words fall short, and reflect emotions with honesty and compassion. I’ve seen clients feel truly seen and accepted, often for the first time in their lives. These horses don’t just mirror emotions they become powerful partners in healing and transformation.
- Emma Gaughran, Monterey County
