Equine-Assisted Activities
You may invite one horse/pony or an entire herd into your therapy session for a mindfulness activity. Or you may choose to have full equine-assisted mindfulness sessions. All horse interactions are non-mounted.
How Can Horses Help?
As prey animals, horses are highly sensitive, seeking safety and connection. Their language is movement, so emotion, energy, and body language all have profound meaning for them. Equine-assisted mindfulness engages mind and body. This experience can help:
- Anchor you into the present moment
- Increase self-awareness
- Deepen your connection with nature
- Promote relaxation
- Lower blood pressure
- Boost confidence
Who is Equine-Assisted Mindfulness for?
Supplementing evidence-based therapy with equine experiences may interest people who
- Seek activities that promote awareness and discovery
- Feel blocked in thinking about or discussing thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
- Find meaning and comfort in authentic connection with animals
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Equine-Assisted Activities
You may invite one horse/pony or an entire herd into your therapy session for a mindfulness activity. Or you may choose to have full equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions. All horse interactions are non-mounted.
How Can Horses Help?
Developing a harmonious relationship with a horse provides fascinating challenges. As prey animals, they are highly sensitive, seeking safety and connection. Their language is movement, so emotion, energy, and body language all have profound meaning for them. Achieving a willing partnership with a horse requires full engagement of your mind and body and provide experiences that
- Reduce emotional distress
- Restore vitality and joy
- Increase resilience
- Improve confidence
- Inspire new insights
Who is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for?
Supplementing evidence-based therapy with equine experiences may interest people who
- Seek activities that promote self-discovery and problem-solving
- Feel blocked in thinking about or discussing thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
- Find meaning and comfort in authentic connection with animals
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Canine-Assisted Therapy
If interacting with dogs makes you feel better, know that there’s science behind that! Researchers have found that petting dogs decreases cortisol (stress hormone) and increases oxytocin and dopamine (feel good chemicals), lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and reduces stress in social situations.
Your Dog or Mine
You may arrange in advance to bring your own dog to therapy.
Or you may invite Riley into your session. Riley has earned the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizenship title as well as several sport performance titles. Most importantly, he has much experience providing comfort, support and, like most labs, a touch of humor to therapy sessions.