Our Approach
Courageous Connection exists to bring humans and horses together to inspire participants with challenges towards achieving their individual goals.
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The Courageous Connections Approach
We exist to bring humans and horses together to inspire participants with challenges towards achieving their individual goals. People with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges, as well as the elderly, face a host of similar struggles leaving them with feelings of powerlessness, incompetence, and exclusion. There are many published reports showing the positive changes in confidence, communication skills, self-esteem, and physical strength through Equine Therapies, and we have seen the magic that occurs when people with diverse concerns partner with horses to transform their challenges into capabilities.​
Our volunteers are an essential part of our program and we couldn't succeed without them. We also strongly believe that there are many benefits to creating strong intergenerational bonds, and through our Sensational Seniors Program we encourage our senior volunteers to share their experience and empathy with our younger participants. Our sessions have included volunteers from ages 11 - 82 years old and all of them have expressed their delight in being a part of this inspirational and heartwarming experience. ​
Courageous Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Snohomish County and is a PATH International Member Center and adhere to their standards to ensure the safety of the participants as well as the competence of our instructors.
Why Horses?
Horses are considered effective for therapeutic experiences because they are highly sensitive to human emotions, acting as a "mirror" to reflect a person's state of mind. This interaction allows individuals to become aware of their own emotions and work towards managing them while also providing a sense of calm and connection through the large, gentle presence of the horse. For people who have been judged harshly for their behavior horses do not judge or criticize, creating a safe space for individuals to be vulnerable and express themselves freely.
The Co-Founders (and cousins) of Courageous Connections have had a life-long understanding of the transformative power of horses and wanted to share it with others. Together, Kathy and Sue turned that heart-felt desire into Courageous Connections.
Our Core Values
The foundation of Courageous Connections is based on 5 Core Values
We honor the unique talents, abilities and character of everyone
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We respect each individual is differently "abled".
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We recognize everyone is on their own personal journey.
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We encourage our community members to strive to become all they can be.
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We will tread lightly on the earth and at all times try to leave it better than we found it.