Select Page

The Healing Power of Equine Therapy

At Paradise Stables in Mount Airy, healing and hope come together in an unexpected way: through horses. The Common Ground program, a part of this peaceful haven, offers veterans, first responders and other at-risk groups a path to recovery thanks to the unique power of equine therapy.

Paradise Stables’ story began in 2006, but owner Elizabeth Tate’s love for horses goes back much further. “As a child, I would use my allowance on $5 riding lessons at a local barn,” she says.

Her passion for horses remained into adulthood. After running a defense contracting business, Elizabeth decided to follow her heart, pivoting to her true calling — working with horses. With a background in clinical psychology and a certification in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), she and Joe London founded Common Ground in 2017.

“Common Ground is the natural progression to my years of helping people in a more clinical setting. This program allows me to do what I love through horses,” she says.

In addition to boarding over 50 horses on the 125-acre property, Paradise Stables is a sanctuary where people and animals form life-changing connections. Twelve program horses are dedicated to the Common Ground program, each playing a role in helping participants heal from their past trauma. Whether it’s veterans or other individuals facing tough mental challenges, everyone who steps into this nurturing environment has the chance to experience the profound connection that horses can offer.

“I came to Paradise through Common Ground and Troops Foundation when I met Tom. He made me feel very relaxed and at ease,” says Chris S., Army veteran, about one of the therapy horses. “Elizabeth helped foster a connection, and I was allowed to open up about some of the experiences I had while I was deployed and some experiences I had while I was younger, and Tom was there to listen, and not judge, and he was great. I just felt I made a real connection with Tom. It was a special and amazing experience, and I am very grateful. It has helped me a lot.”

What makes horses so special in therapy? It’s not just their majestic presence. “Horses have an amazing ability to connect with us on a deep, almost intuitive level,” Elizabeth says. “They mirror our emotions through their behavior, allowing participants to see themselves in a new light.”

Horses can also help regulate human energy. “Their hearts are 7 to 10 times larger than ours and emit an energy field that naturally calms those around them, making them wonderful companions for people dealing with trauma,” she adds. This soothing presence creates an environment where participants can process and move past their painful memories.

Common Ground offers a range of therapy sessions, from an introductory one-day workshop to a more in-depth 12-week program. This variety provides participants with the time and space they need to connect with the horses and each other. One special program, called Operation Horsepower, offers wounded veterans driving lessons for a one- or two-horse carriage. The best part is that prior experience with horses isn’t required.

The sense of community here is just as important as the therapy itself. It’s this combination of horse and human connection that makes Common Ground at Paradise Stables such a unique and powerful place for healing.

If you or someone you know needs help or if you would like to donate, visit Common Ground. Common Ground never charges for its services to veterans, first responders or their families. 

Hungry for more? Read about taking a horse trail ride. Find a stable in your area. Read about a veterinarian’s Thoroughbred nursery and boarding facility

Sign up for our newsletter and find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.