Adult Programs

Restoring Moms

Join this therapeutic group for women struggling with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and/or postpartum PTSD. Horses have been used for many therapeutic activities including treatment for traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorders, sensory disorders, and PTSD. This innovative project will help women with issues commonly experienced with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders such as: feelings of detachment from their baby, anxious and/or intrusive thoughts, feelings of incompetence, hopelessness and fear associated with traumatic experiences during the perinatal period. Group members will be observing how their attitudes, emotions and body language affect the horse; while the horse provides immediate, nonjudgmental feedback to them about their behavior. This human-animal interaction can create a space of acceptance, safety and compassion that leads to a deeper self-awareness necessary for healing.

Group Meeting Dates: (Sundays) – September 19, October 10 & 31 and November 7
Meeting Times: 9:00am – 11:30am
Location: Shepherd Youth Ranch, 3017 Brassfield Rd, Creedmoor, NC 27522
Cost: $500 (due at time of registration)
Group Structure:
● 6 group members (no experience with horses required; no riding)
● Closed group to new members after group starts
● Each session will be 2 ½ hours long and include:
○ 15 minutes – arrival and greeting
○ 15 minutes – breathing exercises and mindfulness activity
○ 1 hour – of ground-work activities with horses led by equine specialist
○ 1 hour – process group about the experiences of the day, facilitated by April Parker, LCSW
If you are interested in joining this group or have questions, please call or email by August 30, 2021:
April Parker, LCSW, 919-797-8988, [email protected]
“A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.
Put your hand on your horse and your heart in your hand.”
~ Pat Parelli, Founder of Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program

Project Fight

Since 2018 we have partnered with Salvation Army to provide equine assisted psycho-therapy for their Project FIGHT participants.  Project FIGHT (Freeing Individuals Gripped by Human Trafficking) provides comprehensive case management for all victims of human trafficking found in North Carolina and South Carolina.  To learn more about Project Fight please go to www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/projectfight

Veterans Life Center

Since 2020 we have partnered with the Veterans Life Center in Butner to provide equine assisted psycho-therapy for their residents.  The Veterans Life Center is a residential program designed to help at-risk 21st Century male and female veterans. It is their goal to provide each of their residents the prospect of a constructive and personally satisfying role in civil society. By strengthening their mental fitness and physical health, improving life skills and providing vocational training, guide them to career opportunities and community reintegration, averting all-too-frequent crises such as homelessness, incarceration, suicide and premature death.  To learn more about the Veterans Life Center please go to www.vlcnc.org