Equine Therapy

Discover the heart behind Stone and Stable Foundation, our dedication to mental health, and the unique approach we bring to healing and community well-being in Western North Carolina as well as East Tennessee.

Our inspiration and purpose

The Stone and Stable Foundation was inspired by a critical need for accessible mental health services for underinsured clients. We focus on providing equine-assisted psychotherapy, a powerful and effective treatment often out of reach for those with Medicaid or limited income. We also saw a need for family services, which are often not covered by insurance. Our mission extends to rescuing horses, giving them a new purpose in helping clients find healing and growth. Horses that have been rescued often provide the best partners for healing. We believe in providing innovative and compassionate care to those who need it most. Financial assets should be the determining factor is accessing equine assisted psychotherapy.

Our story

Carisa Hooks has been a dedicated professional at Cornerstone Therapeutic Horsemanship for over five years, specializing in individual equine-assisted psychotherapy. While she does accept insurance, it is noteworthy that more than 70% of her clientele is covered by Medicaid. The reimbursement rates for Medicaid clients are considerably lower, and insurance typically provides reduced compensation per hour for family therapy. Equine-assisted psychotherapy is much more expensive to provide than traditional therapy.

Carisa noted after working for several years that offering families support services for youth or offering sessions with other family members/partners could help improve client outcomes. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover these services and most of the individuals that she works with cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for services.

In response to these challenges, Carisa established the Stone and Stable Foundation with the objective of raising funds to enhance the availability of these vital services within the community.

Our history

From humble beginnings, we have evolved significantly, driven by our steadfast dedication and commitment to continuous improvement. Carisa began serving clients under Cornerstone Therapeutic Horsemanship in 2022. She stepped away from public schools and began working full-time at Cornerstone. She added a 60 X 60 covered arena to provide year-round services. The facility enhancements are ongoing, with the recent addition of pony stalls, new fencing and broodmare stalls. We are actively collaborating and developing relationships with local colleges and high schools, fostering educational opportunities and professional development.

Each step has reinforced our core belief in our vision of creating a safe, healing space for everyone!

Our guiding principles

At Stone and Stable Foundation, our work is guided by core beliefs: everyone deserves access to compassionate, high-quality mental health care regardless of insurance or income. We firmly believe that healing is possible, both for individuals carrying trauma and for horses needing a new beginning. We also champion family participation in therapy to strengthen connections, support emotional growth, and create lasting change, especially for families whose access to these vital services is limited by insurance constraints.

Making a positive impact

Through our dedicated efforts, we envision a future with increased access and availability for equine-assisted psychotherapy in the mountain region of Western North Carolina. We aim to foster stronger families and support systems for youth, leading to improved quality of care for all our clients. We are honored to help heal the various animals that end up on our farm. Our goal is to bring meaningful and lasting positive change to the community we serve, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

"The Stone and Stable Foundation has transformed lives, offering a unique path to healing for both people and horses. Their dedication to accessible mental health care is truly inspiring."

A grateful client