ANIMALS AS NATURAL THERAPY

Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT) is a therapeutic safe space and trusted community partner where youth, veterans, and seniors find healing from mental and behavioral health challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each year, thousands of participants are referred to ANT by Whatcom County school districts, the Skagit and Whatcom Tribes, local social service agencies, and assisted-care facilities throughout the county. Many participants have experienced complex trauma, including abuse, chemical dependency, parental addiction, housing instability, and the loss of loved ones.

Since 1999, ANT has worked closely with educators, counselors, caseworkers, parents, and community partners to serve thousands of children annually. Most youth participants live below federal poverty guidelines and attend programming on full or partial scholarship. What began as simple animal–human interactions for at-risk youth has grown into a highly structured, evidence-informed experiential learning model. Today, ANT delivers intentional programming that uses animals such as rabbits, dogs, chickens, goats, and especially horses to help participants process difficult experiences, often when traditional therapeutic approaches have not been effective.

ANT delivers services through two primary program models: farm-based equine-assisted programming and Mobile ANT. Farm-based programming takes place at ANT’s farm and serves youth and veterans through structured equine-assisted sessions. These sessions focus on emotional regulation, self-awareness, relationship-building, confidence, and leadership through guided, ground-based interaction with horses in a safe and supportive environment.

Mobile ANT brings animals directly into community settings, reducing barriers related to transportation, mobility, health status, and access to care. For seniors living in assisted-care and memory-care facilities, Mobile ANT visits foster connection, comfort, and social engagement while supporting physiological benefits associated with gentle animal interaction, including reduced stress and improved mood. For schools, Mobile ANT provides preventative and responsive mental health support through low-barrier animal-assisted visits that promote social-emotional learning, reduce stress, and support students experiencing anxiety or crisis. Mobile ANT is integrated into the Bellingham School District Crisis Response Team and is available to support students and staff following traumatic events.

Mobile ANT also includes Rainbow Bridge, a specialized hospice partnership delivered in collaboration with Whatcom Hospice. Rainbow Bridge provides compassionate animal-assisted comfort and emotional support to hospice patients, their families, and hospice staff during end-of-life care and periods of grief.

Across all programs, ANT staff intentionally create environments of safety, connection, and healing by harnessing animals’ natural ability to foster calm, trust, and emotional presence. Animals invite authentic, present-moment engagement and offer nonjudgmental companionship, allowing participants to explore emotions without fear of rejection. ANT’s approach integrates social-emotional learning, one-on-one mentorship, and hands-on animal interaction to support resilience, confidence, and self-efficacy that participants carry into daily life.

ANT programming is led by highly trained professionals and mentors. In 2010, ANT achieved Premier Accredited Center status with PATH International and has maintained this designation continuously, reflecting adherence to the highest national standards for safety, ethics, and effectiveness in equine-assisted services. ANT employs PATH-certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors and Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning, with additional staff pursuing certification. ANT also contracts with licensed mental health professionals who collaborate closely with equine specialists and complete advanced equine handling training prior to working with participants.

ANT’s work is grounded in a strong evidence base supporting human–animal interaction. Research consistently demonstrates benefits such as reduced stress indicators, improved mood, decreased anxiety, and enhanced social engagement. ANT’s theory of change is rooted in the belief that participants build confidence and emotional resilience by navigating real challenges through animal interaction. With consistent, compassionate guidance from trained staff, participants explore their strengths, boundaries, and choices, developing a stronger sense of agency and self-belief.

Youth programming serves participants ages eight to eighteen through weekly ninety-minute group sessions. Sessions include emotional and physical check-ins, experiential activities with animals, and guided reflection focused on leadership, communication, boundaries, trust, and goal achievement. Participants learn to attune to animals’ cues, practicing empathy, emotional awareness, and clear communication. Sessions conclude with reflection on how these skills can be applied at home and school. Program outcomes are measured through pre- and post-evaluations completed in collaboration with school staff and care teams, using age-appropriate tools grounded in validated self-efficacy measures.