Animals as Natural Therapy

The mission of Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT) is to improve mental and behavioral health through animal-guided programs and mentorship, with special attention to youth and veterans in Northwest Washington.

We envision a community…

• Of hopeful, resilient individuals equipped with the life skills needed to thrive and be fulfilled in their lives and relationships.
• A community where animals are recognized for their intuitive gifts and valued as therapeutic partners and healers.
• Rooted in a culture of compassion for the benefit of all beings.

ANT primarily serves youth ages 6-18 and veterans in our equine assisted learning and equine assisted therapy group and private sessions at our private farm in Bellingham, WA. In our Mobile ANT program, we offer off-site therapeutic animal visits in partnership with local schools districts, businesses, long-term care/memory care facilities, and Whatcom Hospice. In addition, we offer summer day camps rooted in our social-emotional education curriculum.

All of our work is based in the knowledge that animals can reach places in the human soul that other humans often can't, and our relationships with them can create safety for healing and connecting with other people. We strive to cultivate an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for all who enter.

Our farm is home to a variety of therapy animals including equines (horses and a mule), cow, goats, pig, rabbits, chickens, and farm cats.