Golden afternoon light filled the corral where Garrett Higgins stood quietly, focused on Sugar, a beige and white horse a few yards away. As the wind rustled gently through the hills, Sugar initially turned her back to him, allowing an atmosphere of calm before she finally faced him. Taking a step closer, Higgins tenderly stroked her nose and wrapped his arms around her neck in an embrace. As he inhaled the comforting scent of her fur, a smile spread across his face, subtly shaded by the brim of his cowboy hat.

This moment formed part of a therapeutic exercise known as “connection,” a significant feature of Higgins’ weekly visits to The Spirit Horse Ranch in Central Maui, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding individuals coping with grief or trauma using equine therapy. Following the devastating fire that ravaged Lahaina and several areas of Upcountry on August 8, 2023, Higgins, a resident of Honokowai, is among those benefiting from free equine-assisted therapy sessions offered at the ranch. According to Paige Deponte, the ranch’s director, this innovative mental health care approach addresses trauma responses linked to both personal experiences and collective community crises, such as the recent wildfires.

Deponte observed that, following the fires, clients began to unearth deeper emotional struggles, revealing historical and generational traumas that had previously manifested. “It quickly became clear that trauma rose to the surface for many people, who initially came to talk about other issues,” she noted. Although facilitators at the ranch, like Deponte, are not licensed therapists, they are specifically trained to assist individuals through complex trauma and employ various techniques to enhance mental well-being.

The ranch began its trauma assistance services early in 2023, initially aimed at youth. However, in response to the unprecedented devastation of the fires, ranch officials, in collaboration with the Maui Non-Profit Directors Association, swiftly decided to extend their services to all affected community members free of charge. “Even without immediate funding, we embraced this opportunity, knowing it was our calling,” Deponte explained on the launch of their expanded mission. Funding for their community trauma relief program was eventually secured nearly a month later, supported by various local organizations and individual contributors.

Since the program started, the ranch has facilitated over 1,800 sessions for those impacted by the fires. A typical session involves a client journeying via truck with a facilitator to a scenic and private corral situated in a valley away from the everyday hustle. Once there, they engage in dialogue, often seated in folding chairs facing each other, discussing the focus of their time together. Deponte usually also incorporates her friendly Australian shepherd, Blue, into the therapeutic environment, enhancing the comfort of the space.

Higgins, who works as a facilities and project manager, started his visits to the ranch after feeling overwhelmed in the wake of the fires. He had welcomed numerous displaced individuals into his modest residence, providing them food and shelter but neglecting his own mental well-being. Initially resistant to the idea of therapy due to past experiences, he ultimately decided to seek help. He expressed how his mindset shifted through this journey. “I came in survival mode—focused on coping with the disaster—but each visit shifted from addressing the fire to exploring my own deeper traumas,” he remarked.

Through the past year, Higgins has confronted his challenging memories and navigated his darker thoughts, emerging as a more resilient individual. His relationship with Sugar has deepened as well; chosen to work with him by the ranch staff, she has become a source of solace throughout his therapeutic journey. He noted the humor in their initial interaction, describing how Sugar initially resisted connection, mirroring his own emotional barriers.

Deponte has observed the growth of their bond and emphasized the unique therapeutic significance that horses bring to the process. “They possess thoughts and feelings, exceptional memories, and a unique capacity to connect with humans,” she shared, highlighting the essence of equine-assisted therapy.

Throughout the sessions, Sugar has become a dependable presence for Higgins, and the moments where she engages directly during their exercises become pivotal in his healing. Reflecting on a December afternoon when Sugar finally turned to him, Higgins felt a profound sense of acceptance and support, expressing, “In that moment, it felt like love.”