Making horses happy is only half the story; for the women who take care of them, it’s also the chance for a new life. The recidivism rate for incarcerated people who participate in career and technical educational programs is 12%, compared to Virginia’s overall rate of 20.6%, according to the DOC.

Sarah Fink, Program Manager Highlights the impact.

“The therapeutic aspect of working with horses is essential for the ladies in the program,” Fink says. Many come into the program with no experience. “They can be very scared. They are slowly introduced into a safe environment that empowers them to hold boundaries, even with big animals. It’s transformative. You can see the confidence they get in themselves by working with the horses and with the other ladies, building those relationships.”