Winterspring Sanctuary

Winterspring Sanctuary provides trauma-informed, equine-assisted mental health services in Central Pennsylvania using the internationally recognized EAGALA model and rescued horses.

Through experiential, ground-based sessions, clients build self-awareness, emotional regulation, confidence, and healthy relationships by engaging with horses’ natural sensitivity to human behavior. We specialize in supporting individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, emotional regulation challenges, relationship difficulties, and recovery from domestic violence.

Our Mission:

Winterspring Sanctuary is dedicated to transforming lives by providing equine-assisted mental health services in Central Pennsylvania. Our programs are designed to facilitate healing and personal growth through meaningful interactions with horses in a peaceful and natural environment.

Our Vision:

Winterspring Sanctuary envisions a world where access to the healing power of nature and animals fosters a community of wellbeing.

What is the need in our area?

People lack access to safe, affordable, and inclusive spaces for healing and regulation, especially those rooted in nature and connection with animals. Modern systems often address stress, trauma, isolation, and burnout in fragmented or clinical ways, leaving individuals disconnected from nature, community, and embodied forms of care that support long-term wellbeing.

Why Horses

1. Social herd structure. Horses have individual personalities, attitudes and moods, while co- regulating their nervous systems.

2. Resilience and persistence. Working with horses requires people to be engaged in physical, emotional, and mental ways.

3. Large and powerful size. Being in relationship with a horse requires using healthy relationship skills. Horses challenge the client to rethink their reactions and habitual methods of communication.

4. Prey animals. Physical and emotional safety play a key part in a client’s treatment process. The horses natural characteristics enhance this focus. The dynamic can play a valuable role in working through trauma.

The impact of your donation.

This year, we are raising funds specifically to provide no-cost programming for people experiencing PTSD, ADD/ADHD, addiction, etc. Your support also allows us to invest in continued training and certification for our staff, and the care for the horses who make this work possible. Funds raised will go towards our horses' feed, farrier & veterinarian visits.