Society of Equine Assisted Services

A new program on the south shore of the province is using horses to help those who are recovering from addiction.

There’s a 6-week Equine-Assisted Addiction Recovery (EAAR) program happening at Hitchinbrook Farm.

The Society of Equine Assisted Services, Nova Scotia (SEASNS) Director, Suzy Wells shares with us that participants will develop horsemanship skills including grooming, long-lining and learning about equine behaviour and communication without riding.

“Horses are highly sensitive and intelligent animals who can reflect our experiences and emotions back to us in non-verbal ways,” explains Wells.

“Engaging with the horses can help build self-awareness.”

She says the interventions used are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and focus on relapse prevention, communication skills, and mindfulness practises.

The EAAR program aims to help individuals to increase their sense of connection, trust and safety within a group, while supporting sobriety from substance, according to Wells.

She says funding from the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia has made the program free for registered participants.

The program’s meetings are on Friday evenings with the choice of starting either June 5 to July 10, 2026, or September 4 to October 9, 2026.

The deadline to apply to either of the first cohorts is May 25, 2026.

Participants must be 18 years old or older, receiving clinical therapy with mental health provider, and committed to attending all meetings sober.

Also, you cannot have known allergies to horses, dogs, cats, sand, dust or hay to participate.

If interested in attending, send an email to the SEASNS program counselling therapist, Erica Kirk.