Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT) offers healing programs for at-risk youth & veterans based on the knowledge that animals can teach humans important life skills, such as: respect for self and others, boundaries, self-management, and clear communication. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, ANT operates out of Windy Acres, a one-hundred-year-old farm situated at the edge of Bellingham, Washington. Since 1999, ANT has touched the lives of thousands of children and adults through various programs.
ANT’s programs include
- Equine therapy & equine-assisted learning sessions
- Experiential education & field trips
- Leadership & bullying workshops
- Summer day camps
- EAGLE Veterans, serving service members and their families through small group & individual equine therapy sessions
ANT’s equine-based experiential methods are highly effective in helping overcome many personal challenges in areas such as impulse control, anger management, attachment, PTSD, grief and anxiety. ANT’s projects successfully aid in preventing school drop outs; avoiding repeated incarcerations; circumventing gang, prostitution or drug involvement; and preventing suicide attempts.
Many youth coming to ANT are being raised by grandparents, extended family, foster parents, or adoptive families, due to parental mental illness, addictions, and incarcerations. Some are experiencing homelessness. Many of our families struggle with dysfunctional and abusive relationships, unemployment, sporadic housing, and poverty.
Agencies we have worked with include:
- Catholic Community Services
- SeaMar Visions Chemical Dependency Treatment Facility
- Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
- Blue Skies for Children
- Lummi Youth Academy and Lummi Headstart
- Northwest Youth Services
- Secret Harbor Foster Program
- Compass Health
- Brigid Collins
- Whatcom & Skagit County public, private, and tribal schools
Since 2010, ANT has been nationally recognized as a PATH Intl. Premiere Accredited Center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship), ensuring adherence to the highest industry standards of therapeutic horsemanship. ANT has also been recognized for its value to our community by The Whatcom County Dispute Resolution Center honoring ANT with the Community Peace-Builder Award in 2011; and the Whatcom Family & Community Network awarding our director, Sonja Wingard, the Ken Gass Community Building Award.