About us
Divine Equine Assisted Therapy Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and is PATH Certified
Equine-assisted therapy is a range of activities with horses to improve human physical, emotional, and mental health. People can find strength and independence through the healing power of the horse. Equine-assisted therapy gives the ability to control a horse as well as one’s own body which inspires self-confidence, responsibility and encourages teamwork.
- We start the lesson with grooming and this is where students feel responsible for caring for another being.
- We set goals and carefully plan lessons around those goals such as posture, strength, and flexibility improvement.
- We also take the student as they are in the moment and will do ground work or riding, according to their needs.
- Riders learn balance, which helps with coordination and self-assurance while their core gets a great work out.
- Students have a sense of accomplishment as new levels of expertise and new goals are met such as riding independently.
Students get a consistent team who knows your name and is excited to see you each week. Kristy works with every student so that routine with being greeted by familiar faces is part of the experience. We are very intentional about being a both physically and psychologically safe space for whoever comes as there can be stigma or social sacrifices for some of our students in the world but at Divine Equine, come as you are. We celebrate and honor each individual and deeply appreciate the caretakers and loved ones.
Divine Equine Assisted Therapy Center is PATH Certified which sets a high bar of excellence both in care for the horses and for students. As the premier professional membership organization, PATH Intl. is an international voice of the equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) industry.
501(c)(3) #83-2748704
Meet DE Founder & Lead Instructor Kristy Newstrom
Kristy felt a deep affinity with horses since pre-school and has worked professionally with children for 20+ years earning the nickname,
"The Child Whisperer".
When she was introduced to therapeutic riding in 2015, Kristy was immediately called to dedicate her future to being in service through equine therapy.
Since that initial spark of inspiration, Kristy volunteered at various centers for riders with special needs, received formal training in western and English riding, and completed an accelerated program to become a PATH certified instructor.
Kristy immediately began teaching and supporting students with functional diversity. With a grand vision of being intentionally inclusive and serving broader and more diverse populations, Kristy began her efforts towards creating her own Center. With her love of horses and calling to provide a space to empower people through experience with horses, her non-profit, Divine Equine Assisted Therapy Center was born.
Meet the Staff, Volunteers & Center
Kristy is blessed with support from her Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Barn Manager and many vital volunteers in a beautiful space.
The Divine Equine Board and advisors includes skills ranging from parents of special needs children and adults, operations, communications, finance, legal, and working at global equine assisted centers. Our Barn Manager, "E", has 30+ years as an equine expert and endurance rider.
Our volunteers are committed, talented, warm and friendly. Our volunteers become our students' team to help with consistency and help students feel welcome every week.
Willow Pond Ranch spans 13 acres across the hills of Soquel. It has a covered arena, uncovered arena, a large barn and several turnouts lined with beautiful flowers and scenery (and there's actually a pond). There is plenty of parking and it is ADA accessible.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, students, volunteers, subcontractors and vendors. Divine Equine Assisted Therapy Center does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.
Our commitment to social justice and racial equity
Divine Equine co-hosted a national conversation on our role as PATH centers in promoting change for social justice and racial equity. We talked about more intentional access to lessons for those who may not know we are here for them. Our action is to match donations up to $5,000 so we can partner with community groups and provide scholarships where needed for new students. We talked about inclusive language. As a result, we're creating an Inclusive Language Guide for our staff and volunteers. We are putting together a report to be transparent about our intersectional diverse makeup and will continue to have diverse representation among our staff, vendors, suppliers, volunteers as well as students.
Learn more about the mental, emotional and physical benefits of Equine Assisted Activities
Watch an interview with a parent about therapeutic riding
Kristy's interview on the podcast, Mother's Guide Through Autism
Kristy's interview on Talk of the Bay
