Equine Assisted Therapy

In 2015 we received a Grant from the Community Foundation of Teton Valley for $2,500. This Grant was used for our Executive Director, Julie Martin, and our Board Chair, Jen Carter, to study and receive our Certification from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. This is not a Therapeutic Riding program. Most of our horses are not ridable. This is an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning program (EAP). Jen has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a graduate certification in substance abuse counseling. Along with the EAP certification Jen, has completed intensive training in evidence-based therapies to use with anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms.    Photo: @Laura Agnew

OUR EAP MODEL

Based on the Eagala Model of practice, Eagala set the global standard in equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development.

HOW IT WORKS

Client-centered.

Solution-oriented.

Evidence-driven.

Our Model is a team approach that includes a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional, and a qualifed Equine Specialist, and horses working together with the client at all times.

When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with the client as they wish.

This creates the space for the client, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.

This Model is so effective because it embraces the science that humans learn best by doing. The model prescribes a hands-on approach where clients are given the space to project and analyze their situations, make connections, and find their own solutions. 

Since the solutions are personally experienced in conjunction with intellectual understanding, they tend to be deeper, more profound, and longer lasting.

E.A.P. sessions involve no horseback riding. In this work, the horses are able to be themselves and not have to act a certain way, just like our clients can do. This is a space to explore, be ourselves, and build relationships on equal footing.

WHY HORSES

Horses are large and powerful. This creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Working alongside a horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life.

Horses are social animals, with defined roles within their herds. They would rather be with their peers. They have distinct personalities, attitudes and moods; an approach that works with one horse won’t necessarily work with another. At times, they seem stubborn and defiant. They like to have fun. In other words, horses are a lot like us socially – when we work on our relationships with them, we in turn are learning how to improve our relationships with others.

Horses respond with unique insight into exactly who we are in the moment. They are profoundly gifted reflectors of our true selves because their very survival depends on reading us right.

Because they can read and respond to the nonverbal messages we are always sending, they begin to act in ways that feel familiar to other relationships or dynamics in our lives. They become our spouse, partner, colleague, children, dreams, fears, addictions, etc. and begin to act out these very dynamics in our lives. This gives us a chance to work through those relationships and issues in a safe and nonjudgmental environment.

The Double J Healing Team