From Grief to Healing: How Equine-Assisted Counseling With Sissy Offers Hope

Grief and loss can leave a person feeling like a stranger in their own life. The weight of sorrow can feel endless, and the path forward often seems unclear. At STEPS With Horses, we walk beside people in those moments of pain—and we’ve seen how the healing presence of horses can guide them toward hope, trust, and connection again.

Audrey came to us carrying that kind of grief. She described it as a heaviness that never left her, a fog that dulled her relationships and drained her energy. She often felt like she was moving through each day on autopilot, disconnected from the world around her. When she first stepped into the pasture, she wasn’t sure what she was hoping for—only that she needed a place to breathe.

That’s when she met Sissy. Sissy is a wise and intuitive horse who is deeply connected to her herd, especially Max and Maggie. She has a strong sense of when to draw near and when to step back, always balancing closeness with boundaries. When Audrey first met her, Sissy didn’t hurry over. Instead, she stood quietly, watching with soft, thoughtful eyes. That gentle acceptance—without pressure or expectation—was exactly what Audrey needed.

Week after week, Audrey kept returning. She noticed how Sissy relied on her herd for comfort and security, often grazing shoulder to shoulder with Max or resting peacefully near Maggie. Sissy reminded Audrey that even the strongest don’t walk alone. Connection, Audrey realized, isn’t a weakness—it’s a lifeline. Slowly, she began to wonder if she, too, could lean on others instead of carrying her pain in isolation.

But just as important, Sissy also showed Audrey the importance of boundaries. Some days Sissy came close, brushing her muzzle along Audrey’s arm in quiet companionship. Other days, she chose to rest under the trees or stand apart with her herd. Audrey learned that saying no or taking space wasn’t rejection—it was an act of self-care. Watching Sissy, she began to give herself permission to listen to her own needs without guilt.

As their connection deepened, Audrey started to feel shifts within herself. The grief was still there—it may always be part of her story—but it no longer consumed her in the same way. One afternoon, standing with her hand pressed gently against Sissy’s warm coat, Audrey felt something she hadn’t in months: a spark of herself returning. Not the self she was before her loss, but a new self—stronger, braver, and open to trust again.

Through the patient, authentic presence of Sissy, Audrey discovered a way forward. She learned that healing isn’t about forgetting or erasing the pain, but about carrying it differently—supported by connection, strengthened by boundaries, and guided by the quiet wisdom of a horse.

This is the heart of equine-assisted counseling (often referred to as equine therapy). Horses like Sissy are not just animals in a pasture—they are partners in healing. They offer lessons that words alone cannot teach, opening pathways for people to reconnect with themselves and the world around them.

At STEPS With Horses, we are honored to witness these transformations every day. And we know they are only possible because of the generosity of our community. Every donation helps us care for our herd and provide counseling to those who are struggling with grief, trauma, and other challenges.
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When you support STEPS With Horses, you make stories like Audrey’s possible. You give people a chance to breathe again, to find hope, and to begin again—with a horse walking quietly by their side.
Client name and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
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💚 Interested in beginning your own healing journey with Sissy and our herd? We’d love to walk beside you. Fill out our Counseling Interest Form to take the first step.