Hooves of Hope Ranch

01/30/2026

THE HEALING POWER OF ANIMALS IN THE TREATMENT OF TRAUMA IN CHILDREN:

She didn’t talk much at first.
After trauma, words can feel unsafe—too big, too exposed—so her nervous system learned to stay quiet instead.

But the pony understood that language.

This little therapy pony had his own story. He had known unpredictability. He had learned what it feels like to brace, to watch carefully, to need time before trusting again. So he didn’t rush her. He didn’t demand eye contact or connection. He stood beside her, steady and patient, breathing slowly, offering warmth without expectation.

At first, she just stood near him.
Then one day, her hand reached out and rested on his neck.

In that moment, something important happened. Her body felt his calm, rhythmic breathing. His heart rate slowed hers. His nervous system—regulated and present—gave her nervous system something safe to mirror. No questions. No pressure. No need to explain what happened to her.

This is why animal-assisted therapy works.

Trauma isn’t stored in stories—it’s stored in the body. Healing doesn’t begin with talking; it begins with feeling safe again. Animals offer co-regulation, predictability, and unconditional presence. They don’t ask children to “use their words.” They meet them exactly where they are.

Day by day, she stayed a little longer.
Her shoulders softened.
Her breath deepened.
Trust returned—slowly, gently, on her terms.

Two nervous systems that had both learned to protect themselves began to heal together.

Sometimes healing doesn’t start with therapy rooms or conversations.
Sometimes it starts with a quiet pony, a small hand, and the feeling of safety coming back online. 🐴🤍

01/28/2026

AAT enthusiasts will be happy to learn that the overwhelming majority of published studies have reported that animals make excellent therapists. For example, Maggie O’Haire of Purdue University reviewed 14 clinical trials on the effects of AAT on children suffering from autism spectrum disorders (here). Together, these studies measured 30 different outcomes variables. The results were impressive. All of the studies found that AAT was effective. Indeed, children with autism who underwent AAT showed, in stat-speak, “statistically significant” improvements on 27 of the 30 outcomes measures.

Can interacting with dogs or horses help treat mental and physical illnesses?

01/23/2026

Many clients find a therapy room confining; this is most often the case with boys and men who seek mental health services.

Research shows that boys and men find it easier to open up when they are side-by-side instead of face-to-face. For this reason many of our therapists hit the trails with our male clients to accommodate this brain difference.

01/20/2026

Just a few of the many therapy animals at our ranch. To schedule an appointment for animal-assisted therapy with a psychologist or clinical counselor (or office based therapy in one of our cabins) go to https://www.hoovesofhoperanch.com/contact

01/12/2026

Therapy for the therapy animals 💕💕💕

01/05/2026

The drive into our therapy space

11/16/2025

Pete 💕

10/15/2025

New cabin/play therapy office— now we can treat children as young as three years of age. Located just 2 km from Millet on 100 acres of private property 🌲🦆🐴 Offeeing animal -assisted therapy, play therapy, EMDR, and traditional office therapy

10/15/2025

New cabin/play therapy office— now we can treat children as young as three years of age. Located just 2 km from Millet on 100 acres of private property 🌲🦆🐴 Offering animal -assisted therapy, play therapy, EMDR, and traditional office therapy

10/15/2025

New cabin / play therapy room at Hooves of Hope Ranch. We are now able to treat children as young as three years of age. 🙌💕🍂

08/14/2025

Morning views 🐴⛅️💕