In the quiet paddocks of her 22.5-acre farm, Lyndsey McKeown offers a therapeutic experience that is deeply personal and grounded in nature.
Instead of sitting across from a therapist in a clinical setting, her clients interact with miniature donkeys, spend time with retired racehorses, or share reflective moments with Trillium, a retired Toronto Police Service Clydesdale.
These animal-assisted therapy sessions provide a unique way for clients to process emotions, rebuild trust and heal.
McKeown works with The Trauma Centre, an organization based in Sharon, Ont., specializing in mental health services for individuals affected by trauma. From her clinical office in Sharon – a village within East Gwillimbury, just 48 km north of Toronto – and on her farm in nearby Whitchurch-Stouffville, she provides therapy to first responders, military veterans and others burdened by experiences too heavy for words.
“Sometimes what first responders see or hear can’t be conveyed verbally,” McKeown explains. “Equine therapy provides a gentler way to process the emotional impact of those events.”
The rural setting plays a vital role in her work. The open space and connection to nature allow clients to feel safer and more grounded than they might in a traditional clinical environment. “It’s like opening a box with something scary inside,” McKeown says. “On the farm, it feels more manageable.”
Horses and donkeys offer something unique: an unspoken connection that fosters trust, emotional regulation and healing.
McKeown’s practice is deeply rooted in her education at York University, where she earned a bachelor of social work and a master's of social work and developed a foundation in anti-oppressive practice, trauma-informed care and critical thinking. “York’s focus on social justice and client-centred approaches prepared me to think outside the box,” McKeown says.
During her studies, she encountered an article on “holding and bearing witness” – a concept that continues to resonate in her work today. “The horses and farm offer this daily,” she explains.
But it’s the animals themselves that bring a unique dynamic to her sessions. Each horse and donkey on the farm has its own story – many are retired from demanding careers or were rescued from neglectful situations.
Clients often connect with these shared experiences of resilience and renewal. Trillium, affectionately known as “Trilly,” is one such example. A former mounted police horse with a towering presence yet gentle demeanour, Trillium has become an integral part of McKeown’s practice.
“Trilly teaches us that we can hold dualities – we can be strong yet vulnerable, sad yet hopeful,” McKeown says. Exceptionally attuned to human emotions, Trillium provides immediate feedback through her behaviour, helping clients confront fears and establish trust in ways that traditional therapy might not achieve as effectively.
The miniature donkeys also play a surprising role in therapy sessions. McKeown recounts one instance where a first responder struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found solace in their playful antics.
During sessions, the donkeys repeatedly nudged his feet – a behaviour that eventually led to the discovery of a somatic memory tied to a traumatic call involving cold water and an injured victim. “That breakthrough would not have happened in a formal clinical setting,” she says.
Another client – a young university student who had disengaged from traditional therapy – found comfort in the quiet presence of a donkey who rested its head on her lap during sessions. Over time, this non-verbal connection helped her regain confidence and return to her studies.
McKeown’s approach emphasizes relational healing – rebuilding trust and resilience through positive interactions with animals. Many trauma survivors have experienced ruptured attachments; working with horses provides corrective experiences that help restore those connections in their personal lives.
As demands on first responders continue to grow, McKeown sees equine therapy as an evolving field with immense potential for mental health support.
“Horses are our partners in healing,” she says. “They meet us where we are – with unconditional care, acceptance and no judgment – helping us to find our way forward."