Our Program

Hope and Healing Academy, Inc. (HAHA) was founded in October 2014. Using Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP), licensed psychotherapists work alongside riding instructors and trained horse handlers to bring hope and healing to clients of all ages and backgrounds. Situated on 30 acres southwest of Topeka, Kansas, the facilities feature indoor and outdoor riding arenas, beginner and advanced sensory trails, a nine-stall barn, tack room, and twelve wonderful therapy horses.

Our Methods

Equine-Facilitated Therapy

EFP is experiential psychotherapy that includes equines. It may include, but is not limited to, a number of mutually respectful equine activities such as handling, grooming, lunging, riding, and driving. EFP is facilitated by licensed mental health professionals working with credentialed equine trainers. This therapy is beneficial for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, mild-to-moderate developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, and depression. By focusing on a combination of equine interaction and traditional therapies, we address an individual's emotional and physical symptoms. Goals of EFP include:

rebuilding basic life skills,
encouraging functioning in high arousal environments,
improving physical and cognitive transitioning,
facilitating verbal and nonverbal communication skills,
challenging self-doubt and negative thinking, and
increasing confidence and competence.

Parelli Natural Horsemanship

The Parelli program of natural horsemanship was founded in 1981 by Pat Parelli. This program emphasizes learning horsemanship by understanding horse behavior, psychology, and communication. Teaching clients the power of non-verbal communication and sensitivity is essential to developing their confidence and self-respect. For more about Parelli Natural Horsemanship, please visit their website.