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Programs of Care

Community Equine Therapy Services

What is Eagala? 

  • Eagala is the model of equine therapy used at Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina. Eagala, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, was founded in 1999 with the mission to set standards, provide support, and educate professionals who are changing lives worldwide through mental health services incorporating horses. More than 2,500 mental health professionals and equine specialists have been trained and certified in Eagala, operating more than 500 Eagala Model mental health programs in 40 countries. In 2018, these programs served 60,458 clients, helping them navigate post-traumatic stress disorder, human trafficking, abuse, addictions, depression, and other behavioral health issues. Eagala is a registered 501c3 nonprofit based in Utah. For more information, visit www.eagala.org 

Meet Our Human Equine Therapists

Amanda Thompson -- Eagala Equine Specialist & Equine Manager and Events Coordinator

 Originally Eagala-certified as the Equine Specialist in March 2020, Amanda has now earned the hours and credits to apply for the Advanced Certification, which she plans on pursuing in the future. 

"This will truly set BGHNC apart from any other facility in North Carolina," Amanda said. "The Eagala Model is truly exceptional as I have witnessed client experiences that have no explanation except God has created the resources, space, timing, and people to fulfill the task. I am thankful that we have an administration that fully supports this model and our mission as we continue to fully develop this program.”

Bethany Hart, MSW, LCSW -- Eagala Mental Health Professional & C.R.E.A.T.E. Hope Team Lead, Clinician

Bethany, MSW, LCSW, became certified as an Eagala Mental Health Professional in 2023. 

"Eagala is more than just a therapeutic modality, it is a way of being," Bethany said. "I couldn’t be more excited to continue embracing Eagala’s core values here at BGHNC throughout my personal and professional journey. The therapeutic impact of equine therapy when combined with trauma-informed intervention is truly remarkable.”

Meet our Equine & Animal Therapists

Our Equine & Animal Therapists
  • is a Mustang owned by Amanda Thompson and is the main BGHNC Eagala Therapy horse. Gilligan has competed in horse shows across the country.
    Gilligan

    Gilligan is a Mustang owned by Amanda Thompson and is the main BGHNC Eagala Therapy horse. Gilligan has competed in horse shows across the country.

  • Jazz is a 1992 AQHA mare who had a successful show career, is boarded at the BGHNC Farm and now serves in our Eagala Equine Therapy Program part-time.
    Jazz 

    Jazz is a 1992 AQHA mare who had a successful show career, is boarded at the BGHNC Farm and now serves in our Eagala Equine Therapy Program part-time.

  • Hunter is a miniature horse rescued by his owner and now boards at BGHNC Farm where he participates in our Eagala Equine Therapy program. 
    Hunter

    Hunter is a miniature horse rescued by his owner and now boards at BGHNC Farm where he participates in our Eagala Equine Therapy program. 

  • Skipper is a Mustang who boards at the BGHNC Farm, has been through training, and participates in our Eagala Equine Therapy Program. 
    Skipper

    Skipper is a Mustang who boards at the BGHNC Farm, has been through training, and participates in our Eagala Equine Therapy Program. 

  • Scout and Tonto are miniature horses and brothers rescued by Sierra Freligh, BGHNC's Equine Assistant, and they serve in our Eagala Equine Therapy Program. 
    Scout and Tonto

    Scout and Tonto are miniature horses and brothers rescued by Sierra Freligh, BGHNC's Equine Assistant, and they serve in our Eagala Equine Therapy Program. 

  • Eddie and Mollie are two miniature donkeys who often participate in our Eagala Equine Therapy program.  Mollie is owned by BGHNC and Eddie, who was a rescue, is boarded by his owner at our farm. 
    Eddie and Mollie

    Eddie and Mollie are two miniature donkeys who often participate in our Eagala Equine Therapy program.  Mollie is owned by BGHNC and Eddie, who was a rescue, is boarded by his owner at our farm.  

  • Hans is a 2021 AQHA gelding owned by BGHNC. He will begin training in the Spring of this year and soon after will join our therapy team.
    Hans

    Hans is a 2021 AQHA gelding owned by BGHNC. He will begin training in the Spring of this year and soon after will join our therapy team.

  • Vivian is a 2020 APHA mare owned by BGHNC. She has begun training and serving in our Equine Therapy program.
    Vivian

    Vivian is a 2020 APHA mare owned by BGHNC. She has begun training and serving in our Equine Therapy program.

  • Lynn is a 2021 APHA mare owned by BGHNC. She has begun training and serving in our Equine Therapy program.
    Lynn

    Lynn is a 2021 APHA mare owned by BGHNC. She has begun training and serving in our Equine Therapy program.

  • Gwen is a 2019 Arabian mare owned by Eagala Equine Specialist Amanda Thompson.  Gwen has begun her show career and serves in our Equine Therapy program. 
    Gwen

    Gwen is a 2019 Arabian mare owned by Eagala Equine Specialist Amanda Thompson.  Gwen has begun her show career and serves in our Equine Therapy program. 

  • Ricky is a 2022 APHA gelding owned by BGHNC. He will begin training in the Spring of this year and soon after will join our therapy team.
    Ricky

    Ricky is a 2022 APHA gelding owned by BGHNC. He will begin training in the Spring of this year and soon after will join our therapy team.

  • Nikki is a 2007 APHA mare owned by BGHNC. Retired from a successful show career and as a broodmare, she now serves in our Equine Therapy program. 
    Nikki

    Nikki is a 2007 APHA mare owned by BGHNC. Retired from a successful show career and as a broodmare, she now serves in our Equine Therapy program. 

  • Vinny and Leo are BGHNC's nubian-kiko goat brothers, born in January 2025 and are incorporated into therapy.  Though they are not equines, other animals can be a part of Eagala therapy as long as equines are present. 
    Vinny and Leo

    Vinny and Leo are BGHNC's nubian-kiko goat brothers, born in January 2025 and are incorporated into therapy.  Though they are not equines, other animals can be a part of Eagala therapy as long as equines are present.  

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Learn more about Eagala

  • The Eagala Model is the global standard for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development, which incorporates horses' unique intuition to help you heal, learn and grow. The Eagala Model is a non-traditional team approach which has shown promising results. Eagala serves a worldwide community of certified professionals and provides a comprehensive certification process and member support network. In addition, there is a growing body of peer-reviewed research which shows encouraging outcomes for Eagala practice. Eagala is committed to continued research of practice, outcomes, and efficacy. Your treatment team consists of Eagala Certified professionals including a licensed Mental Health Professional and a qualified Equine Specialist, along with the horses who work with you. 

  • The Eagala Model may be applied to facilitate many different services including but not limited to equine-assisted psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, learning, and organizational development. It is used to enhance personal development, promote well-being, prevent and treat a range of mental health issues, increase resilience, improve relationships, overcome life challenges, confront fears and blocks, teach reading, and address addictions. 

    What does an Eagala session look like? 

  • “An Eagala equine therapy session starts with the Eagala Team Specialists meeting with the client(s) at the farm for a brief "check in". The details and duration of the "check in" component may vary based on the client's presenting needs that day. Then, the Eagala team invites the client(s) to explore the space with the equines, including the environment as a whole, in order to facilitate self-seeking solutions through equine-driven metaphors created by the client. Essentially, the equines and surrounding environment function as a physical storyboard for the client's internal reality. This allows the client(s) to observe the horses' natural reactions and identify how they could be metaphors for their own lives. Generally, near the end of the Eagala session, another check-in is initiated, either by the Eagala team or the client. The final check in may include the client posing questions to the therapists, making meaningful observations/metaphors, coming to realizations, revealing inner thoughts, etc. In fact, sometimes the most impactful connections made by clients occur outside of session, as clients naturally continue to process intense thoughts, feelings, or metaphors that may have arisen during session.” - Bethany and Amanda 

    Who can Eagala benefit?  

  • Eagala can benefit children, adolescents, and adults who are struggling with any variety of behavioral health challenges. They have difficulty with relationships, understanding their emotions and behaviors, and they feel stuck. They are open to new ways of treatment. Often lacking in self-confidence and self-respect, they are earnest and willing to try new ways to feel better in life. They require compassion and a safe space to explore their own inner landscape of emotions and feelings, in a non-judgmental process. Where traditional therapy leaves them frustrated and discouraged, they are seeking an opportunity to ‘see’ their behaviors and how those behaviors impact themselves and others. Eating disorders, ADHD, behavior disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD are just a few of the emotional/social issues from which they want liberation from. 

    What is Eagala's Unique Team Approach?

  • Eagala is a model for an evidence-based, experiential therapy incorporating equines such as, but not limited to, horses, minis, and/or donkeys. The equines are an equal part of the therapy team alongside the Equine Specialist (ES) and Mental Health Professional (MH), which are both held to high ethical standards via the Eagala code of ethics. The team truly believes that the clients innately have their own solutions, and our job as facilitators is to hold the space to assist as they discover those solutions. This model uses only groundwork, or non-mounted experiences, which allows the client to discover and learn without judgement, our interpretations or direction. Eagala is scientifically proven to be effective with clients of all ages, abilities, and needs regardless of what that may be at the time. 

The Eagala Model
Source: eagala.org

To make an appointment for equine therapy, you may call:

Amanda Thompson
or
Bethany Hart

910-646-3083

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