Services
Equine-assisted services at Project Horse are an experiential and interactive approach to mental health and wellness based service delivery.
All services at Project Horse are NON-Riding. This unique approach makes this modality, accessible to a greater number of people who would otherwise not consider engaging in an equine-assisted service. No prior horse experience is necessary. All activities and interactions occur “on the ground”, where the horses and humans work together to facilitate healing and learning.
Clients are given the space to work, hands-on with horses and are able to safely explore new ways to discover and navigate their journey to learning and wellness. In this relationship driven modality, the horse and human become partners, helping to shape the clients narratives as they are empowered to discover their own paths to wellness.
Horses by nature are sensitive, non-judgmental, authentic always “in the moment”. They help to model and encourage the practice and application of these same strategies to reframe their own internal dialogs and narratives about themselves, others, and their experiences.
Project Horse offers two types of services non-riding ADJUNCT therapy services (Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy – EAP) and learning and wellness (Equine-Assisted Learning – EAL) experiences for individuals, families and groups
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
EAP services ARE:
- An experiential form of therapy conducted by a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist, and a horse and of course the client(s) participating in the therapeutic process and activities to facilitate healing.
- A non-riding approach to equine-assisted mental health therapy
- A collaborative approach with a primary therapist to assist or amplify the treatment goals and objectives an individual or a group is currently working on.
EAP services are NOT:
- Lessons in riding, horsemanship, how to take care of a horse
- Hippotherapy, Physical Therapy, or Recreational therapy
For more information on scheduling EAP session:
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)
EAL services ARE:
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An experiential form of learning utilizing a horse, client or group, trained facilitator and/or certified equine specialists participating in activities.
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A Non-riding approach to equine-assisted learning and wellness experiences
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EAL services are about developing life skills and is utilized for those seeking personal growth and development – to include individuals, schools, treatment centers/group homes, and for groups in professional development, team building and employee wellness. Although therapeutic in nature.
EAP services are NOT:
- EAL is NOT intended to be a substitute for therapy
- Lessons in riding, horsemanship, learning to care for a horse
- Hippotherapy, Physical Therapy or Recreational Therapy
For more information on scheduling EAL session:
At Project Horse we approach all services in a trauma informed and sensitive manner. Our licensed mental health professional are in good standing with the licensure board of the Commonwealth of Virginia and are required to meet and maintain a constant level of continuing education and clinical.
Our program utilizes the Eagala model for therapy that is considered the industries gold standard modality for equine-assisted therapy and learning. All clinicians and Certified Equine Specialist maintain Eagala certification. Many of our staff also carry other certifications such as the non-riding certifications through Natural Lifemanship PATH, Intl. Additionally, members of our team carry additional training to support Veterans, Military Service Members and First Responders. Specific to Veterans and Military Service Members, the staff working with this population carry the Eagala’s Military Service’s Designation, where individuals are specially credentialed with deep understanding of military culture and life. Some staff members are farther trained and certified in PATH, Intl. Equine-Assisted Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (EAT-PTSD) (make hyper link to Eagala, Natural Lifemanship and Path website) (Add the logos for each certification program if we want some graphics
Non-Riding Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine-Assisted Learning is a highly EXPERIENTIAL modality that does not rely only upon the amount of information shared or specifically articulated by clients. The horses offer immediate feedback during the interactions with clients. This makes our approach effective as an adjunct service in the psychotherapy space for a wide variety of individuals working through a myriad of emotional challenges, such as trauma, depression, anxiety and more.
Are you a Veteran, Military Service Member, or First Responder?
Are you a clinician looking to refer a client for services?
