WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Imagine a child smiling at ease next to a horse, or parents who are going through a divorce, using the farm to explain to their children what’s happening at home.

“Animals provide healing in a way that humans can’t,” Kate Nicoll, CEO and Clinical Social Worker, said.

Soul Friends is a nonprofit established in 2003 to provide animal-assisted therapy to children, families, veterans and first responders. The belief is that animals can help families with emotional health, mental health struggles in a way that sometimes humans can’t.