About Heal With Horses
997 Danforth Rd, Hillier, On, K0K 2J0
Prince Edward County
Heal With Horses is a Registered Canadian Charity dedicated to providing horse & small animal-related activities and programs with the primary focus to promote good physical & mental health & wellness and enhance our guests’ overall sense of well-being.
Over the past decade, we have created a safe, quiet, natural, rural setting for people of all ages and physical & mental capabilities to come to interact with our large herd of horses and variety of small animals including rabbits, cats, dogs, pigs, and goats. These interactions include riding, grooming, leading horses through obstacles, playing games, and walking through the fields & forest. This unique blend of specifically developed activities provide proven positive benefits to a person’s overall physical and emotional well-being.
Heal With Horses is the only recreational facility of its kind in this region to have this exclusive blend of horse-related activities available to people of all ages and all physical fitness levels. Our facilities and programs are wheelchair accessible. We have specialty saddles for those who are physically disabled and that allow for 2 riders, and our staff are specially trained to work with those with special needs.
All of our services are offered by appointment, so feel free to reach out!
Did you know?
Our farm is also open to book family, couple, and group experiences with all of our animals! Check out our bookings under the ‘Experiences’ tab to book your very own farm time today!
*Visits are by reservation only and no diagnosis are required.
We’re Here to Make A Difference!
Meet
The Team
Suzanne Latchford-Kulker
Founder & Executive Director
For as long as I can remember I felt a deep connection to animals and nature. As I grew older, my love for them grew deeper. Finally, by the age of 35, I was able to have them right at home with me, after purchasing a country property with my husband Ron, while raising three children.
Heal With Horses birthed out of a desire to connect people with horses in a therapeutic nature, where the horse is revered and respected as a teacher. Through years of hard work and sheer determination, Heal With Horses has become what it is today.
We are now a registered Canadian Charity that not only utilizes horses to help people feel better, but small social animals as well! It’s a “labour of love”. So many people have been touched by the unconditional love of our animals!
Olivia Craig-Sherritt, BBPH
Olivia Craig-Sherritt began her Heal with Horses journey in 2022 as a placement student from the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology degree program at St. Lawrence College, where she is now one of the co-facilitators and media specialists of the farm. She has a lifelong love for animals and 10+ years of horsemanship experience, even having the pleasure of owning her own horse, Dakota, who is pictured above and is a happy member of the HWH herd.
During her student placements, she completed a research-based thesis examining the practices that use horses as a therapeutic aid and their benefits, which can be viewed within the clubhouse. From St. Lawrence College, Olivia also has gained experiences within Addictions & Mental Health Services, Psychological First Aid, and local elementary schools with challenging behaviours. Also having obtained multiple visual arts certificates, she is passionate about integrating aspects of art therapy and art with nature during activities.
Olivia recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2023 and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University, as well as her Horse Boy Method Training. Following her MACP degree, she hopes to complete the FEEL certifications and additional equine-assisted psychotherapy courses. In her role, she is dedicated to ensuring each participant and animal has a safe and enjoyable experience, thriving in supporting various forms of regulation, communication, and other behaviours.
Doreen Rafuse Westall
Co-Facilitator
For the past 12 years, Doreen has worked alongside of Suzanne and has been deeply involved with Heal With Horses Equine Therapeutic Centre. She owns a Paso Fino horse named Mateo who has taught her so much.
With a great desire to delve deeper into the spirit of the horse’s world, she trained to become a Co-Facilitator in FEEL-Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning. Doreen has lived in Prince Edward County for over 20 years with her partner Glenn and is blessed with a large circle of friends and family. Her 3 amazing children and 6 grandchildren have been supportive of her on her amazing life’s journey.