Equine Experiential Therapy

For decades, horses have been employed in therapeutic programs throughout the country, where they have helped thousands of people who are struggling with physical and emotional challenges.

For those teens and adolescents who have a history of defiance, low self-esteem, social disorders, or developmental delays, equine therapy can offer life-changing opportunities to work through internal struggles and rebuild positive interpersonal relationships.

How it Works

At SUWS, our equine therapy program partners with local equine specialist Johnny Urrutia, (make Johnny’s name the link) who is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). This specialist works alongside members of our staff to guide, supervise and provide the opportunity for growth for your child as they work with the horses.

As your child interacts with the horses, he or she will begin to experience important emotional and behavioral changes such as letting their guard down, reducing their sense of self-consciousness, and focusing on multiple things at a time. Horses are naturally non-judgmental and highly perceptive, allowing for your child to learn how to remain in the moment, exude positivity and navigate temporary frustrations productively.

The Benefits

Our equine therapy program offers a wide array of benefits to all of our students, including (but not limited) to the following:

• Focusing on the task at hand
• Developing effective communication skills
• Overcoming fears and self-doubts
• Accepting the limits of control
• Resisting the urge to express frustration in a destructive manner
• Embracing a sense of teamwork
• Appreciating the power of positivity

Studies have shown that spending time with an animal such as a horse greatly increases the amount of endorphins that are released into the body while decreasing levels of cortisol, a hormone that controls stress and arousal. Participation in our equine therapy program can help your child control their emotions, respond to stress positively and reap the many benefits that guided equine interaction can provide for your child’s overall development.

Learn More

For more information about our equine therapy program or any other of our innovative experiential activities, please call 888.879.7897 or visit our contact us page. We look forward to working with you to answer all your questions and talking further about the many ways that our program can help your family.