What is Animal-Assisted Healing?

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Animal-Assisted healing It is a type of complementary or alternative therapy that includes the use of animals in treatment for individuals with a wide range of diagnoses and conditions. It is intended to enhance but not replace other treatments. On the whole, the goal of animal assisted healing is to alleviate or help people cope with some symptoms of various diagnoses and conditions.  The positive interactions with an animal may lead to benefits in the mind and body, such as reduced stress and a balanced mental and emotional state. 

The tranquil setting at S-Farms coupled with the sense of peace felt around animals and the outdoors makes the farm a perfect place to start or continue the healing process.

Equine facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) is a type of therapy in which horses play an active role in the therapeutic process. Equine facilitated learning (EFL) aids participants in self-discovery and the development of life-and-social skills through interactions with horses. Both modalities rely on the horse’s unique abilities to interact with humans on a level unavailable in most other therapeutic or learning environments.

Horses are intuitive, honest and responsive. As herd animals, they are highly social and empathic, relying on their relationships with one another for comfort, safety and survival. As prey animals, they are extremely sensitive to their physical and energetic environment. Each horse has an individual personality, strengths and challenges, opinions and preferences. As a result, horses have much to teach us about ourselves: ​ Self-awareness Emotional resilience and agility Relationships with self and others within a family or other group system Social intelligence and leadership ​ Working with horses in a safe, non-judgmental setting allows for healing, learning and positive change. Often, progress can happen more quickly and impactfully than in other contexts. Partnering with horses as co-facilitators allows Medicine Horse to offer incredible programs serving the needs of our community in the areas of mental health, personal well-being and education.