About
Horses Healing Humans
Welcome to our equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning center nestled in the serene landscapes of Frederick, Maryland. At our center, we believe in the extraordinary healing power of horses, who serve as our dedicated therapists. Embracing the profound connection between humans and these majestic animals, we provide a unique and transformative experience for individuals seeking healing from trauma, PTSD, depression, and various emotional challenges. Horses Healing Humans is proudly Eagala Certified and adheres to the Eagala Model, an exceptional experiential framework crafted to empower clients to explore, learn, and evolve within the horse-human relationship.
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Immerse yourself in a therapeutic journey where the gentle presence of our equine partners fosters a safe and supportive environment. Our programs are designed to promote emotional well-being, personal growth, and resilience. The intuitive nature of horses allows them to mirror and respond to human emotions, offering a non-judgmental and authentic space for self-discovery.
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Located in the heart of Frederick, Maryland, our center invites you to embark on a path of healing surrounded by nature’s beauty. Whether you are seeking individual therapy, group sessions, or educational programs, our equine-assisted approach creates a harmonious blend of connection, empathy, and personal empowerment.
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Join us on this transformative adventure as we harness the therapeutic wisdom of horses to guide you toward a brighter, more resilient future.
Meet Founder, Peggy Magnanelli
Our Story
2020 taught me not to wait. Life is too short. I have always loved horses for as long as I can remember. I rode horses as a kid and kinda stopped after high school. Life, jobs, kids etc got in the way. I have always known that there is something special about horses. I got back into riding in early 2021. I decided to completely start over since it had been so long. I found a great riding instructor who just happens to be certified as an Equine specialist for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). He came back from a week long training one week and I asked him how his training went. Well, he lit up like a christmas tree talking about it. We talked for at least an hour and a half. I thought it was the most amazing thing I had ever heard of. So I went digging and found lots of books on the subject. Especially the ones that had case studies. I knew that this is what I was meant to do.
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So later that year my husband and I purchased an 8 acre horse farm and we now have 3 horses and a mini donkey. I have taken 2 different trainings and got my certification from EAGALA in March of 2023. Horses have taught me a lot. Patience is one and presence is another. Holding space for another being. Seeing the mental health crisis in this country has grown since 2020 it was obvious to me that horses can heal more people, faster than talk therapy alone.
The Eagala Model is a distinctive experiential framework designed to allow clients the latitude to discover, learn, and grow from the horse-human relationship.
Eagala provides mental health professionals and equine specialists with standardized methods, a code of ethics, continuing education opportunities, a replicable framework, a team approach, and a global professional network. Under the Eagala Model, both a licensed, credentialed mental health professional and a qualified equine specialist work together collaboratively at all times to make sure clients get the therapeutic attention and support they need.
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Eagala stands as the premier international nonprofit association for professionals integrating horses into mental health and personal development initiatives. With over 800 programs spanning across more than 40 countries and boasting a membership of over 2500 certified individuals, Eagala is committed to enhancing the mental well-being of individuals, families, and groups worldwide. Rooted in a philosophy that emphasizes hands-on interaction with horses, Eagala's approach eschews riding or direct horsemanship instruction, ensuring that attention remains squarely on addressing clients' life objectives. Through the collaborative efforts of an Eagala Treatment Team, horses provide authentic feedback, facilitating a client-centered, solution-oriented approach. By engaging with horses, clients gain insight into their own processes and are empowered to enact positive changes within a secure, nurturing environment. Ultimately, clients emerge from Eagala sessions equipped with the tools and understanding necessary to enact transformative life improvements.
Horses Healing Humans is
Eagala Certified
