Equine-Assisted Peer Support Groups

Dream Power Therapy offers specialized equine-assisted peer support groups that harness the unique healing power of horses combined with certified peer support services. Led by Gina Lee, who holds the rare combination of Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES), and PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) credentials alongside 38 years of personal recovery, these groups provide a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals can connect with others who truly understand the journey. Unlike traditional talk therapy or clinical settings, our peer support groups take place in the calming presence of horses, whose intuitive nature and immediate feedback create powerful opportunities for authentic connection, emotional regulation, and personal insight. As a “dopeless hope dealer” who has walked this path, Gina facilitates groups where lived experience meets professional expertise, creating an environment where hope is contagious and recovery feels possible.

These Medicaid-funded peer support groups are available to meet regularly through your community provider and welcome individuals at any stage of their recovery journey, whether newly sober, working on relapse prevention, or strengthening long-term recovery. Participants engage in ground-based activities with our therapy horses while processing their experiences, sharing struggles and victories, learning recovery skills, and building the supportive community that is essential for lasting sobriety. The horses serve as honest mirrors, responding to our emotional states and helping us recognize patterns, practice healthy boundaries, and develop authentic relationships—skills that translate directly into our human connections. No horse experience is necessary; all that’s required is a willingness to show up, be honest, and allow both the horses and your peers to support your healing journey. These groups recognize that recovery is not a solitary path but a communal experience where we heal together, one day at a time.

Research & Resources:

• Columbia University Study: 50%+ reduction in PTSD symptoms with equine therapy
• Systematic Review: Equine interventions shown to have beneficial psychological impact
• Equine Therapy for Addiction Recovery: Building trust and healthy relationships
• PTSD UK: Research shows 66.7% likelihood of lower PTSD scores after 3 weeks, 87.5% after 6 weeks

Equine-Assisted Trauma Recovery

Trauma lives in the body, not just the mind—and traditional talk therapy alone often cannot reach the deep wounds that drive addiction and self-destructive patterns. Dream Power Therapy’s equine-assisted trauma recovery program offers a somatic, body-centered approach to healing that recognizes the profound connection between unresolved trauma and substance use disorders. Led by Gina Lee, a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor with specialized training in trauma-informed care and 38 years in recovery from her own trauma and addiction, this program creates a safe container where women can begin to process their pain without being retraumatized. Horses, as prey animals with finely-tuned nervous systems, naturally attune to human emotions and provide immediate, non-judgmental feedback that helps participants recognize their trauma responses, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their sense of safety and power.

Our trauma recovery program integrates evidence-based practices including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, mindfulness, somatic experiencing, and trauma-focused peer support within the natural therapeutic environment of our farm. Each session is carefully designed to help participants move through the stages of trauma healing: establishing safety, processing traumatic memories through gentle body-centered work with the horses, and ultimately reconnecting with themselves and others in healthy ways. We incorporate resources from Traumanon—a 12-step program specifically addressing trauma—alongside traditional recovery support, recognizing that true sobriety requires healing the wounds that addiction was masking. Whether you’re dealing with childhood trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, or complex PTSD, our horses offer a pathway to healing that honors your pace, respects your boundaries, and reminds you of your inherent strength and resilience. This is trauma recovery that doesn’t require you to relive your story repeatedly, but instead invites you to rewrite your future through connection, compassion, and the gentle wisdom of horses.

Research & Resources:

• McLean Hospital Study: “I have never seen anything with such immediate benefit to folks who struggle with trauma-related issues”
• First Responders Study: Significant reductions in depressive and trauma-related symptoms
• Equine Therapy for Complex Trauma (EFT-CT): Effective for youth with complex trauma histories
• Meta-Analysis: Significant results in reduction of PTSD symptoms through equine services
• EAGALA: How Equine Therapy Addresses PTSD through emotional regulation and trust building
• Physiological Study: Improved quality of sleep and relaxation in patients receiving equine therapy