Veterans Retreat Equine Therapy - Expressions of Interest

Equine Assisted Therapies

If you are looking for support for your mental health, emotional wellbeing, changing behavioural patterns, self-motivation, addiction issues, wanting healthier relationships or a deeper understanding of self, our equine program is for you.

The Details

• Arrival is at 9am and conclusion of the event is at 12.30pm
• You will receive a joining instruction the week prior detailing the finer points of the day and any additional information
• Morning tea and hot and cold beverages will be provided.
• You do not need to have any experience with horses, sessions are held outside, and all experiences are on the ground - there is no riding
• You are welcome to work as closely or a far away from the horses as you feel comfortable. As we are going to be outside with horses it is essential that you wear closed toed shoes, and it is advisable that you wear sun safe clothing that you don’t mind getting little sprinkles of equine love on.
• You will be supported by a fully qualified equine therapist to explore and work on your needs or goals. Sessions may involve but won’t be limited to equine observation, meeting the herd at liberty, grooming experiences, haltering and leading with the equines or exploring and creating items/obstacles with the equines.

Eligibility

• You must be a part of the veteran/first responder community who our charity supports to receive a subsidised position
• Our monthly equine therapy programs are aimed at adults, but teen children may attend with a parent/guardian pending circumstances so please contact us to discuss first
• This ticket serves as your attendance form, once eligibility is determined you will be sent a joining instruction with payment details no later than 1 week prior to the event date

Why Horses?

According to Dr. Laurie Sullivan-Sakeada, a Utah based Clinical Psychologist and leading practitioner of EAP, horses are prey animals, and, like those who have been to war, rely on their heightened senses for survival. They react to and mirror the emotions of visitors directly, without words. Horses respond negatively to negative emotions. They respond positively to positive emotions, and they have no ulterior motives. “They are just there,” says Sakeada, “providing non-verbal feedback.” The horses are therapeutic and interactive tools that speed up the therapy process substantially. Dr. Sakeada notes that one session of EAP in the barn is equal to five sessions “on the couch.”