Hanna’s Healing Hounds and Hooves, LLC

Hanna’s Healing Hounds and Hooves, LLC At Hanna's Healing Hounds and Hooves, LLC, we believe that healing happens through connection. Contracted with Horse Welfare and Rescue, Inc. 📍

Clients can explore emotional healing through powerful connection with animals.

One of the best parts of working in a field you truly love is that learning never feels like work.I spend a lot of time ...
05/09/2026

One of the best parts of working in a field you truly love is that learning never feels like work.

I spend a lot of time reading the research on equine-assisted psychotherapy, and I recently came across an article that felt too meaningful not to share: New Age or Old Sage? A Review of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (Frewin & Gardiner, 2005).

The authors describe horses as nonjudgmental beings who respond to our behavior, emotions, and intentions. They note that horses mirror our nonverbal communication, require us to stay regulated, and can help build confidence, social cues and frustration tolerance.

As a prey species, horses are biologically wired to notice subtle shifts in energy and emotion. They don’t care what you look like, what degrees you have, or what your job title is.

They respond to energy. They make you checks yours, and they make you earn their trust.

Some days I have to stop and ask myself: How lucky am I that this is my work? Pinch me. I get to learn from these horses every single day and witness the powerful ways they help people heal.

📖 Frewin, K., & Gardiner, B. (2005). New Age or Old Sage? A Review of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. The Australian Journal of Counselling Psychology, 6, 13–17.

We are LOVING the mounting block these days. Not only does it give my clients a boost in height when standing next to Mr...
05/09/2026

We are LOVING the mounting block these days. Not only does it give my clients a boost in height when standing next to Mr. Tall man Jojo, but it gives them an increased sense of power and control.

For many clients, having a more equal vantage point can reduce feelings of intimidation and increase confidence when interacting with such a large animal.

This simple tool helps clients feel more grounded, empowered, and capable as they practice trust, boundary-setting, and emotional regulation.

Sometimes healing begins with realizing you are stronger and more in control than you think. 💚

I had a combo-couples session this afternoon 🥰👬🐴🐴Couples therapy doesn’t always have to happen sitting face to face or o...
05/09/2026

I had a combo-couples session this afternoon 🥰👬🐴🐴

Couples therapy doesn’t always have to happen sitting face to face or on a couch together.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy offers couples a less intimidating way to reconnect. By coming to the barn and stepping outside of everyday roles and responsibilities, partners are given the opportunity to slow down, simplify their interactions, and show up individually (& more authentically) with one another. You simply become just a person grooming a horse. You get to take off the hats and pause the roles that the rest of your life demands of you.

In couples sessions, couples have the opportunity to work alongside real-life bonded horse pairs like Jazzy and Stormi, whose relationship offers a powerful and relatable example of attachment, communication, and a wee bit of co-dependence.

Because horses are highly sensitive to human emotions and body language, they provide immediate, honest feedback about how we’re feeling. They know if you’re anxious or angry. Working with them requires partners to stay regulated, communicate intentionally, and become more aware of how their words, tone, and energy affects those around them (& the horse).

This creates a real-life opportunity to practice frustration tolerance, maintain trust, and work through difficult conversations without escalating!

Please send me a message if you are your partner are interested in giving it a try! ❤️

05/09/2026

He really said, “this salad is contaminated!” 😤🐴🥗

Back with another photo dump: Equine Therapist addition 🤎🌿🐴🐾✨🌾🐈🥾 fTheHorse
05/02/2026

Back with another photo dump: Equine Therapist addition 🤎🌿🐴🐾✨🌾🐈🥾 fTheHorse

These three gentle souls, especially our two sweet “powdered sugar” faced old men, soaked up all the love during equine-...
05/02/2026

These three gentle souls, especially our two sweet “powdered sugar” faced old men, soaked up all the love during equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions today.

I find it incredibly moving to watch older horses step into this work, they feel so calm and gentle 🫶🏼

I’m always in awe of the duality of this practice. It’s not just powerful for clients, but it also gives these horses purpose, attention, and meaningful stimulation in their elder years. They still have so much to offer, and today was a beautiful reminder of that.

A little extra grooming, a little extra time, and a whole lot of appreciation for these gentle old men🤎💛🖤


05/02/2026

I don’t make the rules 🤷🏼‍♀️🐴🤎

I was blessed with the opportunity to work with a client today who chose to partner with our tallest horse, Jorritt. Thi...
05/02/2026

I was blessed with the opportunity to work with a client today who chose to partner with our tallest horse, Jorritt. This became an experience that brought up what it feels like to be “outsized” or not fully in control.

This is when the rain started. So we moved into the arena and gave Jorritt space off lead. With the help of a mounting block we gently shifted perspective by making my client taller than Jorritt and inviting connection at a new level.

From there, it became about connection and regulation: noticing breath, regulating your own nervous system to prevent yourself from projecting anxiety, and allowing trust and curiosity to build without pressure or too many words.

By the end, there was ease and the start of a new friendship. 🥹🤎

Have you ever felt small in a situation you couldn’t control? What helps you shift your perspective and feel more grounded or elevated?

That’s the beauty of this work!!!🫶🏼 No forced conversation, just connection, awareness, and learning to self-soothe through experience.

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a rainy afternoon. I LOVE MY JOB!🤎🌦️🐴

Today’s sessions ended with a little barn tour and lots of tiny hands excited to meet Stormi 🥹There’s something so rewar...
04/25/2026

Today’s sessions ended with a little barn tour and lots of tiny hands excited to meet Stormi 🥹

There’s something so rewarding about watching clients invite their families and friends to experience a glimpse of our sessions. I feel so honored to help them slow down, explore, laugh, and connect with the animals together. I missed my clients so much while I was away, and it feels really good to be back at the barn 💗🌿

Purple flowers for lunch, anyone? 🐴🪻🌿Both of these boys were feeling a bit overstimulated today and were very clear abou...
04/25/2026

Purple flowers for lunch, anyone? 🐴🪻🌿

Both of these boys were feeling a bit overstimulated today and were very clear about it through their body language. Instead of forcing any grooming or asking them to “interact,” we pivoted and really worked to mirror a regulated nervous system.

My clients were encouraged to observe, assess, and ask:
“What do you think he needs right now?”
“What is he telling us right now?”
“What would you want if you felt this way?”

So we pivoted. We took walks, found patches of grass and flowers, allowed the horses time to graze and decompress, and focused on calm connection over productivity 🌱

We practiced reading their cues, respecting their boundaries, and prioritizing the wellbeing of these horses just as much as the wellbeing of my amazing clients.

Some of the most therapeutic moments happen when we stop trying to control our experiences and work to learn to slow down and be present with each other. 🤎

04/25/2026

And we’re back with a special guest, look who joined our session and gave a whole new meaning to animal therapy today!! 😆🐸🐎

Address

359 Waterville Road
Avon, CT
06001

Opening Hours

10am - 3pm

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