Healing Through Hooves
The Story Behind Healing Hoof Mental Health Counseling
By Angel Zervos
After serving in the military, I carried a deep awareness of the invisible wounds so many people face—trauma, grief, and the emotional transitions that follow. I saw firsthand how these struggles ripple outward, affecting families and loved ones. That awareness inspired my path toward helping others heal, leading me to earn my B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
The journey wasn’t simple. As a military spouse, I spent several years overseas, balancing incredible opportunities with the challenges of constant moves and uncertainty. Building a career in mental health during that time was difficult, but my passion for supporting others never wavered.
When we returned stateside, I worked toward earning full licensure—then, like many, faced another obstacle when COVID-19 disrupted everything.
Yet that season of pause became a turning point. I began seeking ways to offer counseling beyond traditional four walls and was drawn to equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP)—a model that allowed me to combine my lifelong love of horses with my purpose as a counselor.
My Connection with Horses
Horses have always been my grounding force—teachers, mirrors, and safe havens. Their calming presence has helped me through stressful seasons of life, reminding me to pause, breathe, and stay mindful. Horses reflect emotions in ways that words can’t, offering honest feedback and connection without judgment.
That connection forms the heart of my work today. At Healing Hoof Mental Health Counseling, I bring the healing power of horses together with evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help individuals, couples, and families find clarity, resilience, and hope.
The Magic of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
Through the EAGALA framework—a structured, team-based model—each session includes a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist, and horses working together to guide clients toward healing and self-discovery. Unlike traditional therapy, there’s no horseback riding involved. Instead, clients engage with horses on the ground, allowing genuine, spontaneous interactions that reveal insight and emotion.
Horses are incredibly perceptive animals, finely attuned to their environment and the emotions of those around them. Their sensitivity allows them to respond to subtle cues in humans, making them powerful partners in therapy. Their natural herd behavior also provides rich metaphors for human connection, communication, and leadership.
Here’s what makes equine-assisted psychotherapy so unique and transformative:
Nonjudgmental reflection: Horses mirror human emotions and behaviors without judgment, helping clients gain insight into how they feel and act.
Building trust and relationships: Working with horses fosters trust, empathy, and effective communication—skills that translate into healthier human relationships.
Emotional regulation: Horses’ calm yet responsive nature helps clients learn grounding, patience, and emotional control.
Physical engagement: The movement, presence, and sensory experience of working with large animals enhances both mental and physical well-being.
Horses’ size and power can feel intimidating at first, but that’s part of their magic. Learning to approach, connect with, and guide such a powerful creature often mirrors how clients approach overwhelming challenges in life. Horses also have unique personalities—some playful, some cautious, some bold—which encourages clients to navigate relationships with authenticity and flexibility.
As the EAGALA model emphasizes, the therapist doesn’t “interpret” what happens between the horse and client. Instead, the client draws personal meaning from the experience, creating insight that is self-driven and deeply transformative.
The Heart Behind Healing Hoof
My vision for Healing Hoof Mental Health Counseling was born from both personal experience and professional passion—a calling to serve those who often feel unseen or unheard. As a veteran and military spouse, I understand the emotional weight of service, the strain of transition, and the resilience it takes to start over.
Healing Hoof is more than a counseling practice—it’s a mission. We combine the strength and empathy of a veteran- and woman-owned business with the compassion and insight gained through years of experience in trauma, crisis intervention, and equine-assisted psychotherapy.
By stepping outside the traditional therapy room and into the presence of horses, clients often discover that healing can happen differently—through connection, courage, and compassion.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Through Healing Hoof, my goal is to create a safe, empowering space where people can find hope, strength, and self-understanding. I believe counseling isn’t just about providing tools—it’s about walking alongside others as they rediscover their voice, their confidence, and their ability to heal.
With every session, I’m reminded of what drew me to this work: the power of connection, the quiet wisdom of horses, and the profound belief that healing is always possible—no matter the journey it takes to get there.
