A Kula ranch has provided more than 1,800 free equine-therapy sessions to help survivors of the Lahaina and Upcountry fires cope with their grief and other deeply rooted trauma. The Spirit Horse Ranch is a nonprofit in Central Maui that provides free “equine-assisted trauma-informed care.” Organization director Paige Deponte said the unique form of mental health care focuses on the body’s reaction to trauma and addressing past trauma that is unearthed following a crisis like the Lahaina fire. Garrett Higgins has been participating in sessions for about a year and says he has grown into a much happier and far more confident person.

Story originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

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