REINS OF H O P E

Since 2006, ROH has supported thousands of traumatized youth, military personnel, and their families through equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP). Our licensed therapists, equine specialists, and horses work together to enhance their mental health and well-being, transforming the lives of vulnerable youth (some incarcerated) and veterans in need.

Good mental health is essential in our society, yet it is often overlooked, leading to serious and sometimes devastating consequences. ROH partners with various social service agencies and military organizations to identify incarcerated or at-risk youth, as well as military personnel, who are struggling with the challenges of daily life. Through EAP, we help these individuals build resilience, coping skills, and the strength needed to navigate life’s challenges.

In our Fostering Hope for Youth program, our therapy team conducts EAP through our ongoing contract with Oxnard Juvenile Detention Center for weekly visits with incarcerated youth, as well as substance abuse facilities, and our arena year-round, 4-5 days a week. We also work with Camp Hope America, an evidence-based camping/mentoring program for children exposed to domestic violence, in partnership with the Ventura County Family Justice Center. Utilizing licensed therapists and EAGALA-trained equine specialists, as well as our horses (two are miniatures), we focus on fostering emotional well-being.

At our outdoor arena, youth arrive by 9:30 am for a transformative 3-hour self-discovery journey. Phones are stowed as the day begins with an orientation and horse introduction. With a 1:5 ratio of professionals to youth, therapeutic engagement spans 45 minutes, followed by a break for snacks, water, and private reflection. Returning to the arena for more therapeutic support, the day concludes at 12:30 with a shared lunch, selfies, and the return bus journey home. Additionally, once a week for 6 weeks, we transport mini horses to the Oxnard Juvenile Facility, engaging incarcerated youth in therapeutic activities focused on emotional growth and coping tools. Initially skeptical, the guards at the facility literally requested that ROH come back for another six weeks. That was five years ago.

ROH is proud to be a recipient of the prestigious EAGALA Distinguished Site Award. The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) sets the global standard for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. ROH ranks in the top 2% worldwide and is one of only 15 designated EAGALA Military Services Providers in the United States, as well as the sole provider in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.

In a military culture that prioritizes hands-on action, the EAGALA Model of equine-assisted psychotherapy excels where traditional methods often fall short. Markedly action-oriented, this model empowers military clients to comprehend and identify patterns, leverage personal strengths, and transform emotional insights into transformative actions. ROH conducts our warriors program at our arena and Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center, as well as Passages in Malibu.

The outdoor arena serves as a structured space for both the horses and clients, ensuring safety. Within these defined boundaries, horses move freely, providing essential room for individuals dealing with trauma to navigate and express their emotions in a healthy manner, devoid of any sense of confinement or stagnation. Conducting EAP sessions outdoors proved invaluable for maintaining continuity of care during the pandemic while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions.

In addition, ROH conducts two 3-day retreats with our team of licensed therapists and equine specialists at a local ranch surrounded by mountains and animals each year for 10 men and 10 women veterans per retreat. Having them spend time together as a group mimics their experience in the military and assists with their understanding and perception of emotional issues within themselves, as well as within others. Their post-retreat surveys are a testament to the effectiveness of the program.

Anticipated Outcomes – For youth in confinement or under supervision, our aim is to cultivate and fortify vital abilities such as communication, assertiveness, confidence, trust-building, healthy coping mechanisms, responsibility, problem-solving, relationship building, and understanding personal boundaries. Through tailored EAP sessions, we strive to equip participants with the tools necessary to navigate challenges and foster positive growth. For our vets, the most significant goal is providing coping tools for PTSD and past trauma, helping them to thrive in daily life.

Evaluation – For each 6 or 8-week session, ROH's licensed therapists create pre and post surveys to assess the impact of the sessions. For our youth, they employ a modified version of the Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment to gather data measuring therapeutic goals.

For our veterans, our clinical team monitors client progress through clinical notes, client processing, verbal feedback, and direct communication with referring agencies, therapists, or social workers. At the outset of treatment, we administer the PTSD Military Checklist, a gold standard evaluation instrument recognized by the Veterans Administration for diagnosing and tracking PTSD symptoms. This 20-item self-report measure aligns with the DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD. We use it to assess symptomatic changes during and after treatment, as well as to confirm the PTSD diagnosis at the initiation of our Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) protocol.