GRAPHIC: JORDAN SHARER ’25/THE HAWK
Over the summer, I had the amazing opportunity to intern at Operation HOPE. Operation HOPE specializes in equine-assisted psychotherapy, a transformative approach that helps individuals heal from trauma by harnessing the unique connection between humans and horses.
Horses possess an extraordinary sensitivity to human emotions. As prey animals, they are highly attuned to non-verbal cues, having the ability to detect changes in body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. This allows horses to respond authentically to the emotional states of the people around them. This natural sensitivity makes horses ideal therapeutic partners as they allow individuals to receive immediate and honest feedback.
For trauma survivors, engaging in this unique bond offers a non-judgmental and supportive environment to explore feelings, reestablish trust and practice emotional regulation. Individuals can also process their emotions in a safe, non-verbal space that promotes self-awareness and emotional healing.
One of the most profound aspects of equine-assisted psychotherapy is its reliance on hands-on, experiential learning. Activities such as brushing the horse, leading them through obstacles and creating relationship-based tasks can empower individuals, helping them develop confidence and giving them control over their environment. Each task completed with the horse represents a metaphor for overcoming personal challenges.
For many trauma survivors, these activities allow them to gain control over a physical, external process they may not feel they have in other areas of their lives. By overcoming challenges with horses, individuals begin to see their resilience reflected in their progress with the horse. For many survivors who have found traditional therapeutic methods insufficient or even overwhelming, this approach may be highly effective.
By caring for and working alongside horses, individuals cultivate empathy, patience and resilience. These essential life skills translate into everyday interactions, helping trauma survivors build stronger relationships and healthier boundaries. Developing this resiliency involves not only understanding personal challenges, but also learning how to bounce back and adapt. Horses, as resilient animals themselves, serve as a model for building this strength.