Therapeutic Riding at
Queen of Hearts
Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
Benefits of Therapeutic Riding:
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improve balance, joint mobility, coordination, muscle tone and posture.
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improved body symmetry, improved muscle tone.
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increased head and neck control, and improved balance.
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improves ability to execute sequenced activities that aid in information processing abilities.
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individuals with cognitive disabilities can learn to perform more complex and difficult tasks on horseback.
(Includes general information, fee schedule, general ranch rules, pledge sheet, registration and health history form, medical authorization form, release forms, medical history and physician’s statement.)
How to complete the online packet:
– your name and email address is used for secure authentication and will not be stored or used for any other purpose.
– A copy of your registration packet will be emailed to the email provided upon authentication for your records.
If you are having any issues with the online packet, you can click below to download and print the volunteer packet and provide upon arrival.
Three of our vets with their favorite horses –
Wayne and Gidget – Korean War
Manny and Lena – Viet Nam War
Gabriel and Buddy – Post- 9/11
Equine Services for Heroes
Teamwork, loyalty, honor, and pride are owed to every person who has selflessly served our country.
Special days and times are set aside specifically for our service members and veterans who enjoy being around the horses but don’t necessarily want to be in the public eye.
On these special days, our clients work with VA Certified Peer Support Specialists who have a better understanding of our clients’ experiences and feelings are about his/her special needs because they have had similar experiences.
Queen of Hearts’ Equine Services for Heroes Program is here to serve those who proudly served us.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning
Queen of Hearts partners with mental health professionals and certified peer support specialists to provide EAP and EAL programs for those who are seeking to empower themselves to handle daily issues that they feel they may not have control over. As social, sentient beings, horses intuitively feel our emotional state and respond accordingly – offering us immediate feedback. Interacting with horses gives people a unique opportunity to regain their sense of self and differentiate between passive, assertive, and aggressive communication. It also provides an opportunity to experience setting and holding boundaries in a confident, effective manner – thus, gaining an embodied sense of empowerment.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) consists of a treatment plan-based service with licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists who offer individuals, dyads or families seeking help for issues related to, but not limited to the following: anger management, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, grief & loss, relationship difficulties, communication skills, parenting, and impulse control.
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a goal-based service offered to individuals and groups seeking skill development in the areas of, but not limited to the following: team building, leadership training, problem solving, and improved functioning at the work place and throughout daily living. EAP sessions do not include psychotherapy and can
Enrollment Process for EAP/L Programs
Referrals
Most clients who are interested in equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) are referred by a licensed mental health therapist who will work with their client here at Queen of Hearts. Queen of Hearts does not have a mental health therapist on staff and its staff is not qualified to independently create a treatment plan. However, Queen of Hearts does have a working relationship and collaboration with some “private pay” therapists. Therefore, if an individual contacts Queen of Hearts for EAP, Queen of Hearts will refer the individual to one or more of these therapists who will interview the individual. The interview will include an evaluation of the individual’s needs and screening for precautions and contraindications. The therapist will assist the individual with setting goals and objectives, and ongoing consultation and the best course of treatment. All payment arrangements are made through the therapist and the therapist will pay Queen of Hearts according to the independent contract with the therapists.
Registration
EAP: If the individual and therapist agree to equine-assisted psychotherapy, the therapist will have the individual fill out the registration forms which are required by Queen of Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. in addition to the therapist’s own enrollment forms.
The therapist will contact Queen of Hearts and coordinate the treatment schedule and appropriate logistics needed from the ranch (i.e., horses, equine specialist, props)
EAP sessions are conducted rain or shine. However, the weather may dictate whether or not riding will be replaced with alternative activities. Mental health sessions will have a minimum of three (3) facilitators: the mental health practitioner, the equine specialist, and an equine. Each session is individually and carefully planned with the client’s goals in mind but, because many sessions are experiential, the plans are flexible enough to be changed as necessary.
EAL: If the individual prefers equine-assisted learning activities, a peer support specialist will interview the individual and together they will explore appropriate options. The individual will complete the registration forms which are required by Queen of Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. and schedule sessions directly with the peer support specialist.