Nestled within Trillium’s Corvallis campus, you’ll find a barn bustling with life, housing two barn cats, seven full-sized horses, two miniature horses names Lego and Red, and a friendly donkey known affectionately as Monty. Here, the therapeutic horse program offers a powerful experience for children who receive mental health services at Trillium. Guided by a committed team, the program blends therapeutic treatments with the deep bond between humans and animals. 

               “Going to the barn was like a break in life. From the smell to the touch of a huge living being. One that would listen without judgment and would be there,” said Cory Teich, a former participant in the program. “I learned so many skills being around those horses. And how to apply them in daily living. I looked forward to barn day every week!”          

     For children facing significant mental and behavioral hurdles, like many who receive care at Trillium, a tailored therapeutic approach is critical to a child’s progress. Utilizing animals in therapy offers a non-judgmental environment where kids can develop interpersonal skills, an area often challenging for some children. Through structured activities like grooming sessions and guided riding experiences, kids develop crucial skills such as mindfulness, problem-solving, and effective communication. Under the guidance of skills trainers, they learn to regulate emotions and manage impulsivity, helping to build resilience in the face of challenge.  

Children residing in Trillium's inpatient cottages participate in weekly group sessions, when kids come to the barn in pairs to work with an animal while receiving one-one-one coaching. Once they’ve shown they can safely groom and handle the horses, they often advance to riding them. Rachel Quesnel, the Horse Program Manager since 2015, underscores the program's foundation in evidence-based practices and continuous learning. "Each interaction presents an opportunity for both personal and therapeutic growth. When a child is able to manage their emotions and body movements in a way that enables them to navigate a challenge with a horse, it promotes a sense of confidence in themselves and their ability to be successful in other areas.” 

Weekly group sessions and vocational programs provide opportunities to young people like Cory to apply acquired skills in real-world scenarios. As they navigate human-animal interactions, they gain valuable insights into their behavior and emotions, paving the way for lasting personal growth and healing.             

Since its beginning in the 1980s, the therapeutic horse program has sparked moments of joy, anticipation, challenge, and achievement that come through the personal work kids put into their treatment and understanding. As these children build skills and bond with animals, they find healing and hope for the future. 

We thank the following for their generous support of Trillium Family Services’ therapeutic horse program: Benton Community Foundation, Susan Fairchild, Wanda M. Tesdahl Trust, and William H. & Mary L. Bauman Foundation

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