Therapy horses help grieving in annual walk

Healing Arenas and Suicide Prevention Network have teamed up to host a second annual Memorial Walk 7-9 p.m. Friday at Heritage Park, 1447 Courthouse Alley in Gardnerville.

This event invites anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to participate and is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the option to walk with an equine therapy horse along an illuminated path of healing.

The walk also serves as a kickoff event for a five consecutive-week support group on Grief and Loss hosted by Healing Arenas. Participants will engage with equine therapy horses and a facilitating team while working on the five stages of grief.

Healing Arenas Founder Julie Baker said, “The equine piece of the facilitating team helps people learn new tools for processing grief and loss. Horses are non-judgmental and invite participants to work through their emotions in a powerful and supportive environment.”

Meetings will be held at Healing Arena’s private facility in the Foothill area. Thanks to a generous donation from the Northern Nevada Giving Tree, a new arena has been constructed at the site where the Grief and Loss group will take place.

Dates and times for the group will be announced at the Memorial Walk on Friday. Contact Baker at healingarenas@gmail.com to register or for more information.