Berkshire HorseWorks Reopens With COVID-19 Precautions

04:10PM / Tuesday, June 09, 2020Print Story | Email Story

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RICHMOND, Mass. — Berkshire HorseWorks is reopened its facility to the public on Monday and implemented new "COVID Clean" restrictions while allowing clients to receive mental health treatment and engage in fun outdoor activities safely.

Specializing in Eagala's Model Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine-Assisted Team Building, the nonprofit ranch will make programs available while implementing social distancing, the use of masks and hand-sanitizer, and the sanitizing of facilities before and after appointments.

"Everyone is hurting on so many levels. We would be remiss if we hadn't found a way to offer our services and activities in the 'new normal,'" said Hayley Sumner, founder and executive director. "We've taken the last few months to regroup and focus on our therapy herd's mental and physical well-being and to repair storm damage. We've devised new programming both for those with mental health needs and also for friends, visitors and families who are looking for something fun, safe and challenging to do outdoors. All precautions mandated by the governor are in place to move forward and have people come out to the ranch. Animal lovers can get their fix, too."

Wellness has always been considered integral to Berkshire HorseWorks offerings, where the philosophy of getting out of your head and into your body reigns. Equine-assisted psychotherapy, which integrates horses in ground-based metaphorical activities to facilitate change, can be an effective modality for individuals, couples or groups working on a specific treatment goal.

Tailored workshops use the interaction between people and horses as the basis for personal growth. Equine-assisted team building is available for both families and companies looking to create cohesion, reinforce teamwork and explore group dynamics before returning to school or the office, and for health-care workers and their families through the "Healers and Horses" workshop.

Sessions are by appointment only: email info@Berkshirehorseworks.com or call 310-488-9777.

Tags: horses, mental health,

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Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources

10:54AM / Monday, December 29, 2025

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures.

Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).

The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:

All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;
All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and
All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County.

To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes.

In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown have been designated.

"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season."

As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration.

The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:

Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing
Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live
Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents
Create year-round housing for artists
Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment
Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing
Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots
Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners' primary residence