Animals as Natural Therapy

About the Program

ANT's programs are groundwork based. Participants lead, groom and care for the horses and work through obstacle courses, and riding is limited and not guaranteed. No horse experience is needed. Rabbits, goats, chickens, a cow, dogs and a cat may also join sessions.

Youth equine-assisted learning runs as weekly after-school groups of 4 to 6 participants, grouped by age, for 90 minutes. Two PATH Intl. certified equine professionals lead each group, with adult volunteer mentors working one-on-one with the youth. Sessions build social and emotional skills such as trust, setting boundaries and clear communication.

The Stable Ground equine-assisted therapy program serves ages 8 to 25. ANT contracts with licensed mental health clinicians who lead weekly 60-minute private or small-group sessions at the farm with a PATH Intl. certified equine professional. Clients contact the therapist directly, and the clinician handles billing and determines insurance coverage. Laura Khalsa, LMHC, is the listed therapist.

Summer day camps for ages 6 to 18 run full or half days. Some riding is included, but ANT says camp is not a horseback riding camp.

Veterans

EAGLE Vets offers one-on-one equine therapy sessions at the farm, weekly or every other week, with instructors, therapists and horses. Veterans who already see an outside therapist, or who don't need one-on-one therapist support, can join equine-assisted learning sessions with an equine specialist. Intake starts with a confidential call or email to the office. Veterans may qualify for scholarships through the Wounded Warrior Project, and post-9/11 veterans and active-duty members may have free sessions funded through it. See also equine therapy for veterans.

Getting Started

Families start with a short phone intake with the program coordinator to confirm fit, then pay a $25 deposit and complete the intake paperwork. No medical referral is needed. As listed, youth group EAL is $100 per 90-minute session and private EAL is $100 per 1-hour session. Sliding-scale scholarships are available, with a $50 minimum quarterly payment, and payment plans are offered. The center says no child is ever turned away for lack of funds. Insurance is not accepted for EAL.

Location

The farm is in north Whatcom County, about 15 minutes from downtown Bellingham. ANT keeps its farm address private and shares it after enrollment. Visits are by appointment only, through the office at (360) 671-3509 or a monthly farm tour.