Equine Therapy Provides a Healing Alternative for Children in Taos | LOR Foundation
Complete Health

Equine Therapy Provides a Healing Alternative for Children in Taos

  • Local Champion: Nonviolence Works, Inc
  • Date Funded: May 13, 2024
  • Grant Amount: $7,200

Taos youth struggling with mental health and behavioral challenges have limited access to talk therapy and even less access to alternative therapeutic environments that can feel more inviting than a traditional therapy office. A team member from Taos Behavioral Health (TBH) reached out with a solution: pilot free, after-school equine therapy for middle schoolers struggling with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Research shows that introducing horses to the therapeutic process significantly increases participants’ empathy, impulse control, and self-esteem. 

LOR’s support will fund eight 90-minute sessions at the Equine Spirit Sanctuary for 12 of TBH’s current clients. These sessions will give the participating children unique nonverbal opportunities to practice mindfulness, boundaries, and vulnerability in a safe space and hopefully help lay the groundwork for future expansion of the program. 

Contact our community officer in Taos. Meet Sonya Struck
More Health Solutions
Health / Libby Anti-Choking Devices Enhance Safety in Libby Schools
Local Champion:
Libby K-12 Schools
Date funded:
May 9, 2025
Grant Amount:
$1,011
Health / Lander New Park Grills Restore Safe Cooking Options for Lander Community Gatherings
Local Champion:
City of Lander, Wyoming
Date funded:
May 7, 2025
Grant Amount:
$27,788
Health / Libby Mobile Vision Screening Makes Eye Care Accessible to All Libby Residents
Local Champion:
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center
Date funded:
May 2, 2025
Grant Amount:
$9,343
Health / Libby First Aid Kits Improve Safety at Libby Schools
Local Champion:
Libby K-12 Schools
Date funded:
May 2, 2025
Grant Amount:
$778
Health / Libby A Refrigerator Keeps a Libby School Lunch Program Going
Local Champion:
Libby K-12 Schools
Date funded:
April 16, 2025
Grant Amount:
$6,798
Health / Cortez A Pee Wee Basketball League Builds Skills for Cortez’s Youngest Players
Local Champion:
A Cortez local
Date funded:
April 16, 2025
Grant Amount:
$3,000

Share an Idea

If you have an idea for improving quality of life in Cortez or Monte Vista, Colorado; Lander, Wyoming; Libby, Montana; Questa or Taos, New Mexico; or Weiser, Idaho, use this form to start a conversation with us.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.