Soulful Strides offers both one-on-one and group sessions tailored to each individual’s personal journey. Group sessions are often conducted in partnership with non-profit organizations, such as women’s shelters, to provide trauma guidance on a larger scale. While many therapeutic programs operate virtually, Anne believes that trauma healing is most effective in person. This is why all Soulful Strides sessions take place at a stable, where the presence of horses helps participants feel seen, understood, and accepted. As Anne explains, “A horse doesn’t care what you’re wearing, whether or not you showered, or what job you have. A horse literally sees where you’re at and takes what you’re giving.”
Anne Theriault founded Soulful Strides Inc. with a clear mission: "to build a bridge of support." As someone who has personally navigated the challenges of PTSD, she understands the difficulty of finding a safe and welcoming space for healing. When Anne was searching for support, she realized that trauma services often focus on first responders and veterans, leaving many survivors without the resources they need. Seeing this gap, she was determined to create a place where people could transition from surviving to thriving with the support of others.
Before starting Soulful Strides, Anne spent 17 years in the corporate world; an entirely different landscape from trauma support and equine therapy. However, her personal healing journey led her to discover the profound impact that horses could have on trauma recovery. After extensive research, she enrolled in a course through the Ontario Equine Education & Employment Program (OEEEP), offered by the OHHA in partnership with VPI Working Solutions and Equine Guelph. As well, she completed a placement at Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre. In September 2023, she became a certified Equine-Assisted Learning Facilitator. This certification allowed her to create Soulful Strides, where she now helps others find safety, connection, and personal growth through equine-assisted learning.
While Anne had a strong background in the corporate world, she quickly realized that entrepreneurship operates on an entirely different set of principles. She first learned about the Business Centre from a fellow entrepreneur who had successfully used its resources. Intrigued, Anne explored how the Business Centre could help her refine her business strategy and was immediately impressed by the support available.
The biggest impact of the Starter Company+ Program was in the area of business planning. As an entrepreneur, Anne had countless ideas but needed guidance on how to structure them into an actionable plan. The program helped her put her vision to paper and organize her next steps in a way that was both strategic and achievable.
Throughout Anne’s journey, one of her biggest personal challenges was finding the confidence to put herself out there and communicate the value of her business. The Starter Company+ Program played a crucial role in helping her overcome this fear. She learned to articulate her worth and the unique impact that Soulful Strides brings to the table.
One of Anne’s key takeaways from the program is the importance of asking for help. “So many times, we get stuck in our own minds thinking, ‘I’m the only one struggling with this,’ or ‘I should know this by now.’ Instead, just reach out and ask for help. What’s the worst that can happen?” This shift in mindset has been a game-changer for her business and personal growth.
If Anne could give advice to her past self when first starting Soulful Strides, she would say: “Have fun. Let go of the fear and just have fun with it. Yes, we want to put it out there. We want it to look perfect, and we want it to hit just right. But it’s about putting yourself out there, creating, and having fun. That’s why we get into this anyways, because we believe in something and want to share it.”
Since completing the Starter Company+ Program, Anne has continued to grow Soulful Strides Inc. with both confidence and vision. Shortly after graduating, she led a 12-week equine-assisted learning program in partnership with a women’s shelter supporting survivors of exploitation. The program emphasized safety, presence, trust, and empowerment, helping participants use the power of horses to reconnect with themselves and each other. For Anne, witnessing the impact on participants was deeply moving and marked a full-circle moment in bringing her dream to life.
To support the program, Anne used her grant funding to purchase essential tools such as a laptop, printer, and laminator, as well as create “Soul Tokens” featuring affirmations and lessons that participants could take home as reminders of their healing journey. Looking ahead, Anne plans to expand her programming into more communities, create a second phase of her program, and continue working with local organizations to support women through trauma recovery.
Anne also benefited from working with graduate business students through the University of Guelph’s ICE program, who helped her refine her mission and build a six-month growth plan. Their guidance reinforced many of the lessons she learned in Starter Company+, particularly around building a niche and developing a scalable model. Today, she credits the program for giving her the courage to turn ideas into action, overcome self-doubt, and transform Soulful Strides into a sustainable business with a far-reaching impact."
Anne’s experience in the Starter Company+ Program has reinforced the power of community. “Never underestimate the power of gathering like-minded people together. It’s the same as what I’m doing with trauma healing. When we get the opportunity to get together, bounce off one another, and relate, it’s a very powerful thing. Sometimes, just knowing that you’re not alone and that this is happening to all of us drops such a layer of stress off your shoulders.”
If you or someone you know is looking for a supportive environment to heal from trauma, contact Anne Theriault of Soulful Strides Inc. Through equine-assisted learning, she helps people rebuild their confidence, find safety, and embark on a journey toward healing and personal growth.
"Coming from the journey that I went through with my own personal trauma, to now having a business and being able to put myself out there and have the courage to do it, I could not have done it without the Business Centre and the Starter Company+ Program." — Anne Theriault