Equine-Assisted Peer Support

EQUINE-ASSISTED PEER SUPPORT

Have you ever been drawn to horses?

They are the perfect partners in healing and therapy as they teach us to honor and acknowledge what we feel on the inside.

Horses physically cannot mask their emotions like humans do. They “speak” through body language and read ours too. They also don’t have a judgmental bone in their body. Gently urging us to stand in our own power and truth with them.

In this program, we will hold a safe space for you to explore and interact with the horse. Choosing an activity within your level of comfort and guide you at your own pace.

These sessions hold zero expectations of what it “should” be and encourage you to create your own interpretations and solutions. Giving you strength, confidence, leadership and other tools to use on a day-to-day basis.

Working with horses is an unconventional approach to therapy that has been proven effective in treating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, PTSD, eating disorders, and more. Working and caring for horses helps patients build confidence, trust, self-esteem, problem-solving skills, healthy boundaries and decreases feelings of depression and isolation. Horses are highly sensitive and expressive animals —making them excellent sources of honest and instant feedback to patients in sessions. The equine specialist leads each session with safety and facilitates activities for the patient to explore connection with the horse. Our objective is to specify goals with each individual patient and document their progress.

This program is available to patients in residential treatment and also those enrolled in our outpatient services.

Meet the Staff

Alicia Phifer, Program Manager  - Equine Assisted Peer Support Program

My name is Alicia Phifer and I'm the Program Manager for the Equine Assisted Peer Support Program at L.G.S. I grew up on the Oregon Coast riding in 4-H, local shows, and Morgan Horse Circuit. I often worked for trainers in exchange for the opportunity to ride and travel to show. In 2014 I traveled to Devon, England, and spent 3 months working under a trainer on a horse farm, where I learned about centered and balanced riding. This amazing experience solidified my dream of working with horses and people and since then, I have taken every opportunity I can to stay involved and build my experience with horses. I have served as a Ranch Manager, Groom,  Stable Hand, Live-in Caretaker,  Beginner Riding Coach, Assistant Trainer, Equine Specialist for Equine Therapy sessions, and a classroom teacher for a youth riding academy. I've also received my foundation-level certification in Large Animal Massage (NWSAM 2018) and level one certification in Equine Reiki (USUI 2017). 

Needless to say, horses have always been a big part of my life and even a reason to keep going. I've personally battled with depression and anxiety since my early teenage years and more severely into my mid-late 20's.  Spending time and working with horses has probably provided me the most relief & comfort in my struggles with mental health and because of that, I have a great desire to provide the same opportunity to others. 

When I'm not at the barn with horses, I love taking long or short road trips to find new nature spots. In the warmer months I'll take every chance to paddle board, camp, hike or just explore. I also love to spend time with my family and friends, get creative with crafts and nerd out on paranormal/supernatural stuff.

Dante

Hi! My name is Dante. I am 15 year old Paso Fino Gelding. My favorite things are eating, getting attention and being out in pasture. I have an inflamed coffin bone (hoof) injury that doesn't allow me to be ridden, but that doesn't stop me from moving around! I still enjoy my exercise through groundwork and lunging. I have a very sweet and curios personality and I love to meet new people. Some say I'm like a giant puppy dog!