On Molokaʻi, three horses at the Wichman ranch have taken on a new role in trauma healing through Equine Assisted Learning, facilitated by The Spirit Horse Ranch team in partnership with the nonprofit Hoʻaka Mana. Since February, monthly sessions have been held where participants, including keiki and kūpuna, engage in ground-based activities with horses like Kilo, Kegel, and Miss Pepper to foster emotional openness and healing. The program, founded by Paige DePonte—who found personal healing through horse therapy—uses individualized exercises to help people process trauma by connecting with the horses’ calming presence and behavior.

The initiative is free to the community thanks to grant funding and has grown in popularity, reflecting Native Hawaiians’ deep connection to animals and the environment. Hoʻaka Mana’s executive director, Kanoelani Davis, highlights the scientific and cultural significance of the therapy, noting its ability to bring diverse groups together and create new local jobs. The horses, many retired from rodeo and 4-H, also benefit from this work, gaining new purpose and engagement through their interactions with participants.