I have a background in psychology and have been surrounded by animals all my life, so I’ve long believed in the quiet, unspoken connection between certain animals and humans. Some animals simply seem drawn to particular people, while others have an uncanny sense of when someone is hurting and needs a little extra kindness.

As an educator, I brought my golden retriever to school once a week. Children naturally gravitated to his calm, gentle presence, and he instinctively created a safe, soothing space for them.

So perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised when I see the same bond at Animals as Natural Therapy. But I am—every single time. It amazes me to watch a horse step toward a new participant and simply “hold space” with them, or to see a horse that resists cantering willingly do so for a child who needs the experience.

Not long ago, I was mentoring with a group of teenagers being introduced to the herd. One participant felt no connection at all. She said, “None of these horses like me,” and indeed, several turned away as she approached. Meanwhile, Ren—a tall, imposing Clydesdale mare—kept quietly shadowing her across the arena. The participant avoided her, put off by her size. Eventually, she leaned against the railing, not defeated but resigned. As we talked about her feelings, Ren approached and stopped with her head right beside the participant.

I asked, “What do you think Ren is trying to say to you?” We reflected together, and I told her I had noticed Ren’s interest in her. I offered the chance to try some light grooming, just to see. Soon, she was brushing Ren’s great neck with ease, and Ren stood relaxed, soft-eyed and content. The partnership was undeniable.

As the weeks went on, Ren gently challenged her, teaching her to reconsider how she approached relationships, to recognize her own needs, and to voice them to those around her. Ren knew exactly what she needed at that point in her life, and somehow, she knew she was the horse to help.

Moments like that stop me in my tracks. Even with my background in psychology, and a lifetime of being around animals, I’m still surprised at how much they “know.” I find myself learning right alongside the participants—learning to slow down, to listen differently, to trust the quiet ways connection shows up.

Being at Animals as Natural Therapy has deepened that for me. I walk away from the barn not just grateful for what the horses give to others, but also for what they give to me: reminders of presence, patience, and the power of simply showing up for someone. Those lessons are as much for my own life as they are for the young people I mentor.

In the end, Ren reminds me that the greatest teachers don’t always speak—they simply stand beside us until we’re ready to hear.