A Journey to Presence
This is a unique, experiential workshop that invites you to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and explore mindfulness through the calming presence of horses. Grounded in experiential learning, this workshop combines guided reflection, mindfulness practices, journaling, gentle movement, and hands-on interactions with horses to help you cultivate greater awareness of your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and breath. No horse experience is necessary, and all activities take place on the ground. There is no riding.
Throughout the day, you'll discover what mindfulness looks like in your own life, identify the habits or barriers that pull you away from the present moment, and explore practical ways to cultivate greater self-compassion, intention, and presence. Horses naturally respond to authenticity rather than words, offering a unique opportunity to practice awareness without judgment and experience mindfulness in a deeply personal and embodied way. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen an existing practice, you'll leave with tools and insights to bring greater calm, resilience, and connection into your everyday life.
Date: Saturday, October 3rd | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Helping Hands Healing Sanctuary, Newberg, OR
Workshop Cost: $195
A Gentle Space for Connection and Presence
Equine Support for Individuals Living with Terminal Breast Cancer is a 1.5-hour experiential gathering offered at no cost to participants that provides a gentle, supportive space to pause, connect, and simply be: with yourself, with others, and with the grounding presence of horses. Set in a peaceful natural environment, this experience invites you to explore whatever thoughts, emotions, or feelings arise without pressure or expectation. Facilitated by a licensed mental health professional alongside an equine specialist, the session incorporates guided reflection, mindful presence, and gentle interactions with the horses, creating opportunities for emotional support, connection, and quiet moments of peace. No horse experience is necessary, and all activities take place on the ground. There is no riding.
We are committed to making this experience as accessible and comfortable as possible. All activities can be done fully seated if desired, with chairs available throughout the space, and participants are encouraged to use any mobility aids that support their comfort, including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or other assistive devices. Movement is never required, and you are always welcome to participate at your own pace. Whether you're seeking connection with others who understand your journey, a space for emotional expression, or simply quiet time in nature with the calming presence of horses, you are warmly welcomed exactly as you are.
Date: Saturday, September 12th | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Helping Hands Healing Sanctuary, Newberg, OR
Event Cost: Offered at no cost to participants
A Support Group for Every Season of Motherhood
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Satya MacGregor, LMFT
Licensed Therapist & Trained Birth Doula
This support group combines equine-facilitated experiences, mindfulness, and community connection to support women in every season of motherhood. Whether you are trying to conceive, pregnant, navigating the postpartum period, parenting children of any age, grieving the loss of a child, or simply looking for a space to reconnect with yourself as a mother, you are welcome here.
Together, we'll explore nervous system regulation, maternal mental health, self-trust, resilience, and the evolving identity of motherhood through the healing presence of horses and the support of a compassionate community. No matter where you are on your motherhood journey, this group offers a place to be seen, supported, and connected.
Schedule: Every other Saturday, 2:30 – 4:30 PM
Location: Helping Hands Healing Sanctuary, Newberg, OR
Session Cost: $100 – $150
Trauma-Informed Retreats for Veterans, First Responders & Their Families
We designed a series of five distinctly different introductory programs for the specific needs of different veteran communities: active duty, reserve, National Guard or retirees, and men, women, and children. Each serves as an introduction to trauma-informed, equine-assisted healing and support groups for veterans, first responders, and their families. All retreats are ground-based equine experiential activities (no riding).
Lack of trust and emotional safety are significant barriers to accessing ongoing services for those who have experienced traumatic events. By creating these gentle introductory retreats, participants can become familiar with the horses, our facilitators, and our therapists in a calming, non-clinical, outdoor, and supportive setting as they explore ongoing services and programs.
Programs: Five introductory retreats for distinct veteran and first responder communities
Format: Ground-based equine experiential activities (no riding)
Starting: Fall/Winter 2026
Dates, Sign-Ups & Pricing: Please email us
We partner with horses to offer healing therapy services called equine-assisted psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups ages 10 and up.
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Our animals will always have a safe home to spend the rest of their days, regardless of their ‘usefulness’ to humans. Most of our horses have injuries that prevent them from being ridden, and here they connect with humans in a more natural and self-determining way.
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With our diverse herd of horses, we offer organizational development and team building workshops for professional teams. This is a unique opportunity to create lasting relationships for your teammates, and to explore your team's potential, with horses!
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Experience the transformative power of healing in the heart of the herd. Our energy healing sessions combine the intuitive nature of horses with holistic healing practices for emotional balance and spiritual wellness.
We designed a series of five distinctly different introductory programs for the specific needs of different veteran communities: active duty, reserve, National Guard or retirees, and men, women, and children. Each is an introduction to trauma-informed, equine-assisted healing and support groups for veterans, first responders, and their families. All retreats are ground-based equine experiential activities (no riding), scheduled to start in Fall/Winter 2026.
This equine wellness retreat is designed specifically for women veterans who have experienced trauma during their military service. Rather than focusing on a clinical or therapeutic model, this retreat emphasizes rest, renewal, connection, and personal well-being in a peaceful ranch setting.
Through guided interactions with horses, including horse-care, groundwork, and mindful observation, participants can reconnect with themselves, build confidence, reduce stress, and experience the calming, grounding presence of horses. The retreat also fosters a sense of community among women veterans, creating a supportive environment where participants can share experiences, strengthen resilience, and prioritize their own wellness. Our goal is to offer a restorative experience that honors each woman's journey while providing space to heal, recharge, and reconnect through the unique bond between humans and horses.
This equine-assisted learning retreat for veterans focuses on wellness, resilience, and reconnection through the calming presence of horses. Designed to support veterans experiencing stress related to military service, including PTSD, the program emphasizes mindfulness, meditation, and present-moment awareness rather than clinical trauma therapy. Through guided interactions with horses, breathing exercises, grounding practices, and reflective activities, participants are encouraged to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and build practical tools for managing stress in everyday life.
Horses offer a unique opportunity to practice awareness, trust, and emotional regulation, helping veterans cultivate a greater sense of balance, confidence, and inner calm. Our goal is to provide a welcoming, supportive environment where veterans can strengthen their well-being, foster meaningful connections, and experience the restorative benefits of time spent with horses and nature.
This support group is for disabled veterans and is a ground-based equine-assisted wellness experience that offers a safe, supportive space to connect, heal, and build resilience alongside our rescued therapy horses.
Through guided activities with the horses, participants can reduce stress, strengthen emotional awareness, improve communication, and develop healthy coping skills while connecting with fellow veterans who share similar life experiences. Set in the sanctuary's peaceful surroundings, the retreat fosters trust, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose in a nonjudgmental, supportive environment. Because all our work is on the ground, we can facilitate for all abilities.
This ground-based equine support group is designed to provide firefighters and other first responders with a safe, supportive environment where they can decompress, build resilience, and reconnect with themselves through guided interactions with horses. Horses naturally respond to human emotions and body language, offering immediate, nonjudgmental feedback that encourages self-awareness, emotional regulation, and trust. Through activities such as horse-care, leading, groundwork, and quiet observation, participants can reduce stress, improve communication, strengthen coping skills, and foster meaningful connections with both the horses and their peers.
Our program emphasizes wellness, mutual support, and personal growth, creating an opportunity for first responders to step away from the demands of their profession and focus on their own mental and emotional well-being.
This equine-assisted learning program is designed for veterans and their families, with a special focus on strengthening the bond between veterans and their children through shared experiences with horses. The program emphasizes connection, communication, and present-moment awareness rather than clinical therapy. Through activities such as horse-care, leading, mindfulness, and grounding exercises, families are encouraged to slow down, work together, and build trust in a peaceful, supportive environment.
Time spent with horses provides meaningful opportunities for parents and children to reconnect, strengthen communication, create positive memories, and develop practical skills for managing everyday stress. Our goal is to offer a welcoming space where veteran families can deepen their relationships, foster resilience, and experience the restorative benefits of nature, horses, and quality time together.
Helping Hands Horse Rescue and Equine Therapy is a 501C3 Non-profit organization. Everything we are able to do is powered by donations and volunteerism, so your donation is GREATLY appreciated!
Donations help us take care of all the therapy animals, and be able to provide high quality equine therapy services. Thus, donations help us, as our mission statement states, to partner our experienced therapy horses and trauma-informed practitioners in providing equine-assisted services that help individuals and groups rise to their full potential.
