"Healing Hearts"
This program brings together horses rescued from abuse, neglect or unfortunate circumstances with children and youth. One child is paired with one horse for the care of and activities with this horse for the duration of the child's visits to the ranch based on each child's individual needs. Each child is supervised by a staff member during all activities on the ranch at all times. It is our goal to provide a safe, non-threatening environment for children to escape from chaos, problems & stressors in their lives while enjoying the therapeutic benefits these wonderful animals provide.
Because the children who have inspired this program can relate to the hurt & trauma that many of these horses have also endured, the interaction with these horses can connect them on a level that many humans have tried to reach with the child, but have failed. As a result, self-reflection & discovery take place, bringing about improvement in the child's self-image & esteem. During the course of teaching these abused/neglected horses to love & trust again through unconditional love, kindness & patience, these horses teach the children to do the same.
"Mending Fences"
Photo Provided by EAGALA
"Mending Fences" uses EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) to focus entirely on developing emotional, social and behavioral growth & learning skills. Because horses mirror human behavior, they have proven to be powerful tools which has made this a fast growing field across the U.S. and around the world. (More information at www.EAGALA.org) Therapists, facilities and human development courses around the world have compared this approach to the ropes courses.
By using EAL, children learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses which reqired problem solving & teamwork, then process the feelings, behaviors & patterns arising in sessions as it relates to situations in their lives. Being able to take ownership of solutions to difficult situations greatly empowers children, and in turn, they are more likely to remember and use these new coping skills in day to day life.
We offer EAL to teens and their families in individual, group or family sessions based on the needs of the child. These are not to be mistaken for sessions with a therapist, rather they are sessions using a horse or horses in activities requiring participants to engage mentally and physically which promotes opportunities for growth and learning.
All visits to the ranch must be by appointment only.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact:
Cindy Davis, Director/Founder
Mon.-Thurs. (9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.); Fri.-Sat. (9:00a.m.-7:00p.m.) at (423) 921-4525
or cindyhopereins@earthlink.net
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