Equine Therapy for Foster Youth

This summer Youthnet was proud to partner with HeartStrides Therapeutic Horsemanship in Olympia to provide 6 of our Thurston County youth with access to their Equine Assisted Youth Peer Support (EAYPS) program.

EAYPS combines the therapeutic benefits of horsemanship with peer support, all under the guidance of certified peer counselors and a mental health counselor. The program uses a trauma-informed approach to ensure that each participant's therapeutic needs are met, fostering recovery and personal growth.

Participants in the EAYPS program work closely with horses in a unique setting that helps them reduce anxiety, build trust, and develop self-awareness. The hands-on activities promote respect and the establishment of appropriate boundaries, while also helping to boost self-esteem. The relationship between the youth and their horse serves as a powerful catalyst for learning and self-reflection.

The program’s curriculum is centered around twelve core values: honesty, hope, trust, courage, self-reflection, willingness, humility, forgiveness, accountability, perseverance, gratitude, and community. These values are taught through various interactive exercises, with the horse-human relationship serving as a metaphor for deeper life lessons. Participants work together in a group setting to apply these insights to their daily lives and academic pursuits.

Through the Equine Assisted Youth Peer Support program, our foster youth have been given the opportunity to gain valuable life skills, build resilience, and find hope. We are proud to work with HeartStrides to offer this extraordinary experience and help our youth to navigate their personal challenges and move toward a brighter, more confident future.

For more information about HeartStrides visit: www.heartstridestherapeutichorsemanship.com