Sign Up For Services:

Equine Resilience Program

Thank you for your interest in the Equine Resilience Program at Haku Baldwin Center. This program is dedicated to supporting Maui’s fire-impacted residents.

Please provide your information below for our records. All responses will remain private and are strictly confidential. After reviewing the information, we will contact you to discuss the next steps. If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out. We’re here to help.


Click here to contact our program team.

Meet Our Facilitator Team

  • Sonja Bigalke-Bannan, MSW, LCSW

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker
    EAGALA Certified Mental Health & Equine Specialist

    Sonja joined the team as a licensed mental health provider in January 2024, bringing her expertise to support fire-impacted individuals and families through our equine-assisted psychotherapy program. She is an EAGALA Certified Mental Health and Equine Specialist, an EMDRIA trained EMDR Therapist, and a Certified Harm Reduction Therapist.

    Additionally, she holds OK Corral Certified EAP/EAL and PATH Intl. CTRI credentials. Sonja owns and operates Heart Horses on Oahu and we are thrilled she is able to serve clients across both islands.

  • Chrissy Stout

    Program Director & Facilitator
    PATH Intl. CTRI & Mentor
    HeartMath® Certified Mentor

    Chrissy joined the team at Haku Baldwin Center 14 years ago and oversees all aspects of programming for youth and adult populations. She enjoys tailoring curricula to meet the diverse needs of participants, including those requiring substantial support. Chrissy is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor who possesses specialized training in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD (EAP-PTSD), Equine-Assisted Services for Heroes®, and Equine-Assisted Learning. Chrissy's approach underscores the importance of mindfulness for humans and equines, and she holds additional certifications as a HeartMath® Mentor/Coach, a Certified Mindfulness for Children Practitioner, and a Horse Powered Reading® Facilitator.

    Originally hailing from Brisbane, Australia, Chrissy has called Maui home for the past 24 years.

Meet Our Horses

  • GABE

    Breed: Shire
    Age: 20
    First Year of Service: 2016
    Show Name: Gabriel
    Interests: Being incredibly handsome

    Gabe is large enough to carry adult riders and sweet enough to be a willing lesson buddy for younger riders. His sweet disposition and obvious good looks make him a fast favorite for anyone he meets. He may be our most photogenic herd member! Gabe is a beautiful mover as a Dressage horse and has a history as a vaulting horse on the Big Island.

  • JET

    Breed: Quarter Horse
    Age: 32
    First Year of Service: 2011
    Show Name: Freckles Mana Jet
    Interests: Applesauce & belly scratches

    Jet is a beloved elder team member. Many of our riders had their first lesson on Jet, helping them gain confidence to ride independently. Jet has logged more than 11 years of service in our programs. Prior to that, he was an all-round kinda guy, participating in roping, barrel racing, and Dressage shows. He still has lots of spunk and will do anything for a good belly scratch.

  • TEDDY

    Breed: Draft Cross
    Age: 24
    First Year of Service: 2017
    Show Name: Notorious
    Interests: Making staff look for his lost fly masks and boots in the pasture

    Teddy is a sweet guy who carries youth and adult riders of varying abilities. He is kind, curious and responsive, making him a steady program horse. Teddy excels in mounted lessons for independent and emerging-independent riders. He is a wonderful teacher on the ground and in the round pen. He’s an awesome guy!

  • SCOUT

    Breed: Morgan Cross
    Age: 16
    First Year of Service: 2016
    Show Name: Ferrari’s Ironman
    Interests: Sniffing out peppermint treats from a mile away

    Scout has a big personality and an even bigger heart. He is strong and smart, making him a wonderful candidate for groundwork, working in the round pen, and mounted lessons in the arena. Scout has a devout fan club who know his sweet spots (and his favorite sweets) well.

  • GRIZZ

    Breed: Belgian Draft
    Age: 29
    First Year of Service: 2021
    Full Name: Grizzly Baldwin
    Interests: Following the leader

    Grizz spent most of his life as a trusted trail horse on Maui. His size (16.3 hh) and incredible good looks made him a fast favorite—Grizz is our newest herd member. He loves being around people and his horse buddies. Grizz’s steady personality and quiet demeanor make him a wonderful lesson buddy for youth and veteran participants.