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In the rolling countryside of Longmont, Colorado, you’ll find Nature Heals—a registered non-profit, charitable organization where humans and horses come together to help one another improve their mental and emotional well-being.
Founded by the Foust sisters in 2016, Nature Heals is a supportive community providing nature-based, equine therapy services to those who may not be able to afford them on their own.
So, what is equine therapy? Think of it as regular therapy, except the horse is your therapist. Scientific research has proved that in just being in the presence of horses, our cortisol levels (stress hormones) are reduced and our oxytocin levels (connection hormones) increase.
Nature Heals believes that horses help us ground ourselves, as they help us to learn and grow without fear or judgement. And the humans aren’t the only ones who benefit. Equine therapy is also helpful to the horses. Where they may not have been as successful at the track or in competitions, the horses at Nature Heals are allowed to fully be themselves, and it shows in their unique personalities.
Nature Heals offers a wide variety of programs for men, women, new moms, the LBGTQ community, and more. Their goal is to provide a safe space for members to be themselves and build confidence to face the outside world.
Through communication and creating relationships with the horses, Nature Heals has found the ability for equine therapy to really pull people together and help them be their best selves.
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