What is Rusty Halo?
Our mission is to provide a healthy foundation and secure base for youth to explore life and reach their full potential.
Rusty Halo was founded in 2015 to support teens and young adults who have been dealt a tough hand through the healing power of horses. By connecting our youth with horses we provide the space for them to heal from the impact of their life experiences, develop the skills to thrive in their communities, and build the resilience needed to navigate the challenges of adulthood.
Who We Support
Too often, trauma and its associated symptoms go unacknowledged so people face barriers to achieving their goals, creating healthy relationships, and living a full life. Rusty Halo helps young people, ages 13-21, overcome these obstacles through the power of the human-equine connection. Many of the teens and young adults we work with have had contact with the foster or juvenile correctional systems, are unhoused, have a Veteran parent who has been diagnosed with PTSD, or have a history of anxiety disorders.
Our Focus
We provide free individual and group Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions in a safe therapeutic space. Through these sessions our youth discover new ways of coping with the past and present, build community with peers who have gone through similar experiences, develop self-esteem, and strengthen social and emotional skills, which not only lead to better mental health outcomes but also greater happiness in life.
“Since our youth have been working with Steph and the Rusty Halo team, they’ve been immersed in conversations around boundaries, consent, confidence, and goal-setting in ways that have challenged their pre-conceptions and have prepared them for richer, healthier lives, and the difference is clear in how they relate to themselves and others.”
Youth Spirit Artworks - a Rusty Halo program partner
Our Partners
The positive, life changing impact of Rusty Halo programming would not be possible without the partnership, collaboration, and generosity of numerous organizations, businesses, and individuals.
“When I am with the horses I am happy. I feel calmer. It has helped me with my self-confidence.”
- Program Participant