Trinity Trails

Trinity Trails was founded as a ministry to address a pressing need. Observing the pain in our friends, family, and neighbors, we recognized that we possess a gift and the ability to help carry their burdens. There are numerous expressions of support, with "No one fights alone" being one of the most prevalent, and applicable to any struggle. Also, Philippians 4:7. 

This is a place where those searching for purpose, healing, community, or connection can find solace. Indeed, there is strength in unity and comfort in sharing our collective challenges. While it may seem cliché to some, understanding that you have a purpose is crucial when you are at your lowest point. 

Our mission is to support our most vulnerable, including national heroes, the veterans. These valiant men and women of the armed forces are true heroes who are often overlooked. Their sacrifices and valor deserve recognition. Moreover, upon their return to civilian life, it's crucial they understand their immense value and the significance of their contributions. We aim to facilitate a connection with God, with us, and with each other through the therapeutic power of horses. 

How do we achieve this? Horses communicate almost entirely non-verbally, while humans rely heavily on verbal communication. Establishing connections through body language and heartbeats can provide profound healing. Various animals are utilized in mental health therapy, but horses possess distinctive qualities that render them perfect for animal-assisted therapy.

Adopting an approach different from conventional office settings encourages individuals to be more open and vulnerable. Traditional therapy can seem impersonal, and individuals often find it difficult to articulate their feelings. Interacting with horses, such as grooming and riding, stimulates in a unique way. Additionally, horses maintain confidentiality; they don't talk to the next client.

Engaging with horses, despite their large and powerful nature, can be intimidating for many. However, supervised interaction is believed to assist anxious individuals in confronting their fears and practicing vulnerability within a secure environment. Clients often report that simply interacting with horses and guiding them through tasks can significantly benefit their anxiety and self-esteem. As clients work with horses over time, they tend to develop a bond, which is thought to enhance empathy and trust, particularly in those who have experienced trauma. Furthermore, mastering calm and safe interactions with horses is considered beneficial for individuals dealing with impulse control or hyperactivity issues.

Trinity Trails is deeply committed to helping many others who are grappling with mental and emotional health challenges. Some groups hold a special place in our hearts: foster parents, survivors of violence and sexual crimes, youth leaders, pastors and their spouses, and individuals battling addiction. Why are they so dear to us? Because our own testimonies are woven with similar pains and struggles.

At present, Trinity Trails mainly provides outdoor activities for interacting with horses. In the winter, we can relocate some sessions to the barn, although it can be challenging. Thankfully, our staff are willing to brave the elements and step beyond our usual comfort zones. Our greatest hope is to get funding for a heated and cooled indoor facility to enhance our services throughout the year.

We are incredibly grateful for the facilities available to us! Beartooth Christian Camp and Beartooth Equine LLC are outstanding programs that generously share their space with us. Hopefully, in the near future, our prayers will be answered, allowing us to move our sessions indoors during the colder months on our own property. There is adjacent acreage owned by Sibanye Stillwater Mine that we aim to acquire. Should God bless us with this property, it would enable us to serve a broader range of clients, including those with different abilities. We could even provide a safe haven for sober groups to enjoy fun and games during the long winter months, which can be a challenging time to find sober-friendly activities. 

God cherishes people and the chance to come together for wholesome, clean fun. Providing the location and the opportunities helps families grow stronger in their bond and in their healing. The demand for programs that assist individuals who are hurting and struggling is substantial. 

As a survivor of incest, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, and addiction, I have discovered solace and recovery on my journey to peace by serving as an advocate for victims of sexual and violent crimes. Numerous training courses, classes, and clinics provide opportunities for ongoing education to keep abreast of therapeutic skills.

Empowering others who walk paths akin to mine has been a significant aspect of my healing journey. Now, by the grace of God and with the aid of some remarkable horses, I am here today, prepared to extend support to those engaged in struggles they might feel compelled to keep hidden. Psalm 20:8 states, "They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright." Turning to the next person in pain and offering to stand with them through their storm has been a deeply healing act for me.

Jon has accompanied me throughout my entire journey of healing. He has been present for counseling sessions, doctor's appointments, and various types of therapy, especially during my lowest points. Jon has not let me take a single step alone. His commitment to comprehending trauma and its responses is inspiring. When Jon was called to attend ministry school, it was evident that he had been preparing for this path for many years.

Our family has been blessed with the seemingly impossible blessing of fostering children. We have hosted many exchange students from multiple different cultures and backgrounds. God has had us serve in the missions’ field in different capacities including homeless shelters, orphanages, in the field after natural disasters and at Christian camps. A large part of trauma feels impossible to share from our mouths. That is a universal truth we have found to be true no matter where we are in the world.

“Horses listen to not what is spoken, to what lies in the heart, and reflect it back to us. They help us hear the longing of our soul.” – Terri

The industry of equine therapy is a rapidly growing field. Studies are being done all over the world proving over and over again the healing found in connecting with horses. Benefits include:

· Increased adaptability

· Increased distress tolerance

· Increased emotional awareness

· Increased independence

· Increased impulse control

· Decreased symptoms of depression

· Decreased PTSD symptoms

· Decreased ADHD related struggles

· Support for sobriety related struggles

Many people find solace and recovery through equine-assisted therapy. Psalm 23 evokes the tranquility of still waters and God's constant presence. In today's world, sharing burdens with others can be challenging, but God remains a steadfast shepherd. 

Many people hesitate to seek help if they believe it's unaffordable. Horse therapy, while still emerging, has shown global benefits through ongoing research. However, insurance companies often do not acknowledge it as a viable therapeutic choice. History is replete with countless instances of such scenarios.

Across the nation, session fees vary from $50 to $300. Our mission is to make this critical support affordable and accessible to all who need it. As most insurance plans do not cover equine therapy, we rely on grants, donations, contracts and sponsorships for funding. Trinity Trails stands out in our area, with no similar programs in Stillwater County. The nearest equivalent program is in Bozeman. We are proud of our majestic mountain backdrop, our private setting for confidential sessions, and our pastoral care services.

We offer sessions with our clients on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Clients reach out to us, and we arrange a time for them to visit for a tour and to discuss their needs. Jon or I explain the fundamentals of therapeutic horsemanship and the significance of being vulnerable. There is no judgment or shame as our own testimonies are filled with struggles. 

Our discussions are completely confidential. Together, we take steps to foster a safe, open dialogue where all topics are welcome. We will pray at the beginning and end of our time together. The initial appointment is set when our client is ready to embrace the challenge of equine-assisted therapy, which requires bravery, dedication, and time. Trinity Trails fully appreciates the journey towards becoming a healthier adult. We never rush; every moment spent with our horses and clients is valuable.

Time is invaluable. In a world that constantly urges us to hurry, our barn operates differently. Here, it might seem as if time stands still. We honor the ordinary and the stillness. We absorb peace and tranquility, and we lovingly accept the tears that fall on a dusty cheek.

There is no universal formula for this process, no "one size fits all" solution. As God created each individual to be unique, so too are our needs. Jon and I have been blessed to assist people globally who have needed someone to listen, to offer prayer and support, and to provide encouragement. We are not licensed counseling professionals, but we share a wealth of knowledge gained from training and experience, both personal and from serving others. We have also observed the miracles God performs through a horse, witnessing transformations in both children and adults, as hearts are changed, and long-carried wounds are healed.

Many foster families I've spoken with, as well as my own experience as a foster parent, have highlighted the strain on marriages as one of the toughest challenges. The scarcity of date nights, often due to financial constraints and limited local options, was particularly tough. Staying connected with my spouse and finding opportunities for open, kid-free communication seemed unattainable. We aim to support that vital connection and remind foster parents of the reasons they chose to foster and the significance of their marital relationship within their family.  Lowering the burn-out rate and provide marital support to foster healthy marriages in the foster care system.

Trinity Trails collaborates with Beartooth Christian Camp and Beartooth Equine LLC in various capacities. Occasionally, a separate trail ride may occur simultaneously as a client engages in one-on-one time with their horse. Significant distance is maintained between each group, and arena time is exclusively reserved for them. Every group or connection holds equal importance, with each receiving full attention from their dedicated staff member, ensuring their time is respected and valued.

Jon and Jenny will persist in their outreach with veterans' groups, other non-profits like the HER Campaign, AA chapters, other sobriety support groups, pastors (and wives) and DPHHS to establish connections for foster parents. We are looking into providing a decompression-type of service for first responders and law enforcement. All are legitimate groups that are open to and in need of an outlet for PTSD related struggles. Visits to group meetings and businesses offers The Steffenson’s an opportunity to share what God is doing in them and through their program.

Jenny has also worked for Alternatives Inc. for a number of years. Employment with this company has afforded her many tools in working with people that are working on sobriety. An individual getting clean and sober affects more than just the addict, it affects the loved ones around them. Fostering a therapeutic bond with a horse supports the addict on their road to recovery, as well as, offers a healthy connection that supports sobriety. There’s just something incredible that God put inside a horse that helps the inside of man.