DAYTON, Ohio — It’s no secret that animal-based therapy can help people struggling with physical and mental disabilities.

One small Ohio nonprofit called Hoofprints uses horses for healing children and beyond.

What You Need To Know

  • Hoofprints is an equine therapy ranch located in Miamisburg, Ohio

  • The organization is a nonprofit and everyone is a volunteer

  • Children can start classes and therapy at 8 years old, one-on-one or in small groups

  • Each session is tailored to the individual and their particular needs

“You’re OK, baby,” said Carly McCall, 17, as she petted her favorite horse named Donovan.

She’s been coming to Hoofprints for about six months.

Equine therapy helps her open up more than she might on her own.

“I talk to him about like my grandpa on my Dad’s side passing away when I was 13 years old. We were very close,” she said.

“It’s a very safe space for them," said Hoofprints Co-founder Kathy Corbett. "Horses pick up on 30 different human body language cues. So it’s not always about what they’re saying, but it’s about how they’re acting and how they’re feeling and what emotions they’re showing to the horse, and the horse gives instant feedback."

Carly’s mother, Laura McCall, said it's been peaceful for her daughter and that it's given her the chance to find herself.

“Carly is on the autism spectrum, and she gets full resources from the state," Laura said. "She has occupational therapists, physical therapists, intervention specialists, music therapy, but all she cares about is her horse therapy."

When it comes to taking classes in the program, it can be done as a group, as a family, or one on one. Each time, it’s tailored to what the individual is needing in that moment.

“This is focused on any human being that needs better mental wellness and better health and that’s our whole focus," Corbett said. "So we are very inclusive. I work with students that are neurodivergent as well as typical students."

“I really like being able to like pet them and talk to them, and they can’t go tell anybody my secrets and stuff,” said Arya Tomlinson, 9.

Tomlinson came to Hoofprints when her dad was heading out on military deployments.

“I would just like sit on his feet and beg him not to leave, but he would still leave, and I was sad,” she said.

One time he was gone for a year and missed her birthday, but spending time here helped overcome anxiety.

“They just kind of helped me like calm down and calm myself,” she said.

About 20 people a week come for therapy, and everyone at the nonprofit is a volunteer, even the on-staff mental health therapist.

“You can’t play tug of war with a horse," Therapist Jennifer Walter said. "So when a child or an adult is struggling with self-esteem, and they are struggling to hold their head up high and walk through the world, a horse is not going to move until the individual shows them that they are ready."

As for Carly, she’s been taking it upon herself to make the moves, and it’s given her a sense of responsibility.

“One day I came in, and she was cleaning buckets and cleaning food things and all this stuff," Laura said. "All it takes is one program to believe in her to be able to do these things. For her to be confident, it’s just priceless."

Hoofprints is located in Southwest Ohio in Miamisburg.

Sessions start for children at 8 years old and up. 

The staff also hosts large groups for corporate trainings and team building.