SPECIAL SPIRIT PROGRAMS
EQUINE & ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
EQUINE & ANIMAL ASSISTED
THERAPY ACTIVITIES
For more information and to schedule an appointment, please contact us at (818) 390-7005.
RECOVERY AT THE RANCH
Recovery at the Ranch is an AA program at Special Spirit Ranch for those participating in alcohol and drug addiction, rehabilitation and recovery, this program uses the healing power of horses. This half-day program emphasizes the ranch’s Power Tools for Living motto: Respect, Responsibility, Relationship Skills, Boundaries, Empathy, Choices, and Consequences.
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE & AUTHENTIC PARTNERSHIP
CHALLENGE YOURSELF. FIND YOUR STRENGTHS.
Special Spirit Equine Assisted Therapy Programs are not about horsemanship skills or riding skills. They are about experiencing a unique and authentic partnership, challenging yourself to honestly assess your life, finding your strengths and problem solving your struggles. No prior horse experience is necessary.
A therapist is required for all therapy sessions.
At Special Spirit, you will be engaged in on-the-ground, interactive and experiential equine activities to help you:
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Grow your self-confidence
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Develop stronger boundaries (Learn how to say no and mean it!)
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Increase your communication efficiency
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Uncover unproductive patterns
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Build trust in yourself and others
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Become a better leader
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Become a team player
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Highlight your strengths
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Overcome challenges and fears
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Increase your problem solving skills
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Build empathy toward others
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Improve your social skills
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Respect yourself and others
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Take action
WHAT IS EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING ACTIVITES?
Equine Assisted Learning partners horses and humans in specifically designed ground activities to foster emotional growth and personal development.
EAL provides a unique experiential learning environment to develop and enhance life skills. Participants learn about themselves while participating in specifically designed activities with horses that require the application of certain skills, such as problem solving, assertiveness, and relationship skills. EAL emphasizes the impact of non-verbal communication by using the relationship between humans and horses. Horses are prey animals and due to their natural instincts, they respond honestly to how a person presents himself, both physically and emotionally, and provide immediate feedback. They react to the environment and energy through non-verbal communication, creating an opportunity for us to understand what we are actually communicating, instead of what we think we’re communicating. Horses are very effective in creating a rich learning environment. Their heightened sensitivity, instant feedback and ability to mirror our emotions create opportunities to increase our awareness, congruency and effective use of non-verbal skills.
Another reason that horses are used in EAL is that their mere presence, size and power make us aware and can bring an array of emotions to the surface, oftentimes creating an opportunity for individuals to overcome fear and process frustration.
Completing a task despite these fears and emotions builds confidence and provides metaphors for working with other challenging and intimidating situations. Horses are social animals and, like humans, have distinct personalities, moods and behaviors. The activities are designed to provide opportunities for the participants to explore how they move through life, how they react and respond to challenges and how they are perceived by others. Horses are non-judgmental and don’t lie. If a participant is not congruent with her feelings and actions, the horse will call her out, seeing below the surface presentation and reacting to her authentic emotions. Participants process their feelings in the moment with facilitators while doing the activity, and will take the experience home to reflect on their patterns of behavior and new skills learned. The horses frequently teach us that when we change our approach we can achieve a different outcome. EAL is facilitated by a certified equine specialist and a licensed clinical therapist. EAL has been proven effective in developing and enhancing life skills, such as assertiveness, boundary recognition, communication, confidence, creative thinking, problem solving and effective social interaction.
SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION TODAY
Scheduling is flexible according to client needs and team availability.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
"Donovan suffers from type 1 diabetes and autism spectrum disorder.
At first we were not sure if being around horses would be a good idea or if he would even enjoy it, but he proved us wrong. Since the first time he rode, he has had a smile of joy every time we come to the ranch.
Donovan has trouble using his hands for some tasks, walking properly, and social skills. In just a few months he is learning how to finally tie his shoes, use his hands for more tasks, and is walking better. Donovan does not like making eye-contact or having conversations with people, but when he's riding he will look at you and answer when he is being asked too. Donovan loves caring for the horses but his favorite thing is trotting on the horses! He's the happiest little boy when he knows we're going to the ranch to ride, especially on Pumpkin. Thanks to Miss Eva and Special Spirit's time, patience, and support we have gone one step further in changing Donovan's life."
- JACKIE, DONOVAN'S MOM