Balancing Body and Brain
About Anchoring Hope
What We Do
The Anchoring Hope Equine Assisted Therapy program offers a holistic approach, known as the Draper Sensory Method, to relieve the symptoms and the physiological cause of neurological conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), severe behavioral issues, depression, anxiety and everyday stressors which can lead to more severe emotional or physical issues.
How It Works
Our method addresses the amygdala, the pre-frontal cortex, and the hippocampus areas of the brain which have either been over stimulated or taken offline due to stress, PTSD, injury or a condition from birth. By balancing the body-brain connection through specific horse movements and through various activities astride the horse, these regions are being reconnected to form more aligned neurological systems that will ultimately create the thought processes for making rational and healthy choices.
Why An Equine Assisted Program
Our research supports that using a specific type of horse as the vehicle in implementing the Draper Sensory Method, which revolves around kinesiology using the scientific principles of neurophysiology and sensory integration, is a highly efficient and effective way to facilitate the body-brain connection. Through specific movements of the horse the method alters the brain wave pattern from beta to the alpha state, thus neutralizing the stress of the participant due to the alpha band.
Results
Pre-Session EEG
Post-Session EEG
Post-Session EEG
This is an EEG scan taken from a veteran suffering from severe PTS and Dyslexia, just prior to a neutralization session. For reference, an EEG of a non-stressed individual would show very little to no color on the scan. The numbers listed in color to the right of the scans indicate abnormal areas.
Post-Session EEG
Post-Session EEG
Post-Session EEG
The Post-Session EEG scan was taken directly after just one neutralization session using the Draper Sensory Method. This scan clearly shows the dramatic and immediate results our program offers. Although the effects that the session had on his Dyslexia are not depicted in the scan, this participant went on to later author a book!
TESTIMONIALS
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
"Britt is wonderful and the theory behind her approach to healing is completely different than most equine programs. We love working with her and highly recommend her program!"
NEW POSIBILITIES
“3 weeks after returning to Denmark, I am still completely calm, happy and clear in my head. The 5 day program changed me! I now feel I have something to offer to other people. I have been pro-active and removed myself from bad environment and I am planning my future with a whole new drive and new possibilities, that I couldn’t see before.
THANK YOU!”
PEACE AND CLARITY
"All soldiers / veterans with PTSD should go through such this program here. It gives peace and clarity"
PHENOMINAL RESULTS
"This program has phenomenal results. Britt has a great spirit and knowledge in how to help you...give it a try."
ABILITY TO ENJOY
"Prior to participating in the program, it was not possible for me to sit in a public place with lots of people and noise. Now I can enjoy being in public and have fun."
HUGE CHANGE
"With this program, my daughter is no longer paralyzed with fear. I have seen a huge change in how she interacts with her peers and her confidence regarding her approach to school work and other tasks without getting overwhelmed."
MY PRE-VERBAL SON SAID, "HAPPY"!
"As a special needs parent of our six year old son with Autism, we strive to provide the best effective therapies coupled with highly motivating activities in order to achieve his goals and provide a substantial quality of life for him. He has made great strides with his current therapies including ABA, speech, etc. but have struggled at times to keep the sessions motivating for him.
I'd like to consider him pre-verbal as he is on the verge of making sentences and progressing somewhat in communication. I have been unsure with his overall ability and current therapies' effectiveness and whether he will make the jump to communicating to his potential. More importantly, at age six, I want to ensure he has quality of life, something that can keep a parent up at night! Anchoring Hope has been a huge foundation of hope and has provided concrete examples of progress in communicating, as my son said, "Happy" for the first time and I received my first hug from him! Both a testament to improvement in both communication and quality of life. I believe the methods for attaining higher levels of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and gaba provided by Anchoring Hope can be attained both on the horse as well as setting a foundation to further develop these "good feelings" on one's own as I experienced it myself with their help. To know he thoroughly enjoyed this activity with the added benefit of receiving a therapy to help his quality of life and his ability to think, plan and feel good is insurmountable. Thank you Anchoring Hope!"
LIFE CHANGING
"This program has been life changing! From therapy to treatment, Britt's approach and method has easily been where I've seen the most progress. I'm able to now feel a calm I did not know I was capable of experiencing. This program has been a huge blessing for my mental health!"
Grateful Our Paths Crossed
"Our family has been blessed beyond words by our time with Britt and her husband, Aaron. My oldest son is on the autism spectrum, completely nonverbal, has significant sensory processing challenges, and relies on a feeding tube. Finding a place where he is truly understood, accepted, and supported is rare—but with Britt and Arron, it has always felt natural and safe.
We began coming here years ago, and over time they have become more like family than therapy. Just the thought of my children no longer seeing them or the horses brings an overwhelming mix of emotions, because of how meaningful this experience has been for all of us.
Each visit is thoughtfully guided by what my children need that day. Some sessions involve structured activities and exercises; other days are simply about riding, playing, or being present in the ring. Communication is never an issue—they are incredibly intuitive, patient, and understanding. Britt, in particular, has a level of patience that is truly extraordinary and something I deeply admire.
My younger son is autistic as well and is wonderfully curious and verbal. He asks Britt so many questions—endless questions—and will happily talk your ear off. The patience she shows him amazes me every single time. She thoughtfully sets up activities for him, which he absolutely loves, and he especially enjoys feeding the horses. If allowed, he would truly spend all day with Britt and the horses without hesitation.
Both of my children completely melt into the horses. Pepper, Jesse, and Pete have become our favorites, each offering their own calm, grounding presence. There is something truly special about this environment—it brings a level of peace that is hard to put into words. After our visits, my children sleep so well, and as a parent, I am endlessly grateful for that sense of calm and regulation they experience here.
When we first started coming years ago, my younger son was afraid of the horses. Britt gently met him where he was, allowing him to pet them, kiss them, hug them, and feed them at his own pace. Over time, one day—almost unexpectedly—he decided he was ready to get on a horse, and from that moment on, we never looked back.
Before this journey, I knew very little about equine therapy. Seeing it with my own eyes has shown me just how educational, therapeutic, and powerful it can be—especially for children on the spectrum and sensory seekers like my son.
If you have ever wondered whether horse therapy is worth trying, I can say with complete confidence that it is. Britt does incredible work, and Arron is sometimes there as well, stepping in whenever support is needed. I wholeheartedly recommend Anchoring Hope & I am forever grateful that our paths crossed—this place has truly changed our lives.