Healing with Horses Louisiana Provides Local Equine Care
The Folsom nonprofit uses retired racehorses to support veterans and families through therapeutic bedside visits.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Large Animals
Live Poll
Do you trust non-traditional therapy programs to provide genuine support for your mental or physical health?
Healing with Horses Louisiana in Folsom provides therapeutic interaction between retired thoroughbred racehorses and community members facing significant life challenges. The nonprofit supports veterans, cancer survivors, and individuals with autism through its specialized equine program.
Why it matters
The program provides emotional support and connection by bringing trained animals directly to participants, including those in nursing homes. This model offers a unique therapeutic environment designed to foster compassion and reduce stress through human-animal interaction.
Healing with Horses Louisiana operates its services as a nonprofit with an open-door policy. The upcoming 3rd annual gala serves as the latest iteration of the organization's fundraising efforts.
The players
Kelly Vicari
The founder of Healing with Horses Louisiana who established the program to provide equine therapy.
Healing with Horses Louisiana
A Folsom-based nonprofit that utilizes retired racehorses to support veterans, cancer survivors, and individuals with autism.
The details
The program utilizes retired thoroughbred racehorses that interact with participants to help monitor and potentially influence physiological markers like heart rates and breathing. By bringing horses directly to nursing home facilities for bedside visits, the organization creates accessible therapeutic opportunities for individuals who cannot visit the Folsom location.
Timeline
November 6, 2026: The nonprofit hosts its 3rd annual gala.
The Home Front
Equine-assisted therapy is an evolving segment within regional health and wellness services for families navigating long-term recovery. This organization follows a pattern set by established therapeutic animal programs to provide community-based support.
Families interested in therapeutic support can contact the nonprofit to learn more about their open-door policy for potential clients. Those looking to support local community health initiatives may attend the upcoming gala to engage with the organization.
The takeaway
Equine therapy offers a compassionate approach to emotional support by utilizing the calming influence of retired thoroughbred horses. Interested community members can support the program's ongoing services for veterans and families by attending the gala on November 6, 2026.
What happens next
The nonprofit will host its 3rd annual gala on November 6, 2026, at the Fleur De Lis Event Center.
Further reading
Learn more about the role of retired horses in community care in our Large Animals section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WDSU News.
Live Poll
Do you trust non-traditional therapy programs to provide genuine support for your mental or physical health?
