Hope Arena in memory of Aly Walsh
Donation protected
The Spirit Horse Hope Arena Project aims to build a small weather proof space for Equine Assisted Programs. It will be called The Hope Arena in memory of Alison Walsh who was the owner of the Spirit Horse (Tinker). Tinker and her herd of supporting horses will be able to make a difference in the lives of people everyday no matter what the weather is.
Te'sipow Therapeutic Services was established in January 2015. The vision of the services is aimed at enhancing the mental health and life skills of youth, adults, families, and groups through therapeutic interaction with horses. Clients will gain a sense of meaning, purpose, self-worth and belonging through use of a magnanimous creature – the horse. Through being with and caring for this creature clients will learn the power of themselves as a caring and needed individual. Clients will feel self-efficacious and empowered to achieve recovery.
The programs at the Te’sipow Stable are facilitated by Erin Gallant – a graduate of Therapeutic Recreation as well as a Level 2 Equine Canada Coach. In addition to her educational and vocational experiences, what makes the programs here at the stable most effective is Erin’s own lived experience and self-identification with mental health issues and her journey to use horses as a tool in her recovery. Erin has been caring for horses her entire life – it has been her life long dream to pass on her experiences and her expertise to others experiencing similar obstacles and barriers in their lives. Erin’s recovery journey continues day-to-day and it is through her connection with the horses that she is able to assist others in taking the steps towards their own recovery.
In January 2015, Erin took the leap and started working for herself – her six co-workers are her saving grace. Tinker, Andy, Harry, Roxy, Charlie and Whiz can’t wait to meet you. We will introduce you to each horse but we want to start with Tinker – the Spirit Horse. In 2013, Tinker’s human, Alison lost her battle with mental illness at the age of 25. Her spirit lives on in her treasured best friend – Tinker. Alison’s family yearned for a way to capture their daughter’s memory and it is through the relationship with Erin that the idea of Spirit Horse came to fruition. Alison’s family are confident that their daughter has a permanent smile ingrained in her face knowing that her beloved best friend, Tinker and Tinker’s ability to help others with similar stories is her legacy.
Since moving to a new location, Tinker has settled in with her 5 friends! Te’sipow stable houses these 6 horses, 2 mini horses and 2 goats. Erin has been offering two programs described below in the new location since January. Despite the cold, frigid temperatures of the winter and despite the rain, drizzle and fog of the spring and summer, Erin has trudged on trying to adapt the programs as much as possible, as there is currently no roof on the horse arena. All programs have been dependent on the weather, which poses havoc on this island of ours. With the success stories unfolding, the need for a roof has been identified as a barrier to continuation of the programming year round. Implementation of these programs on a year round basis is a means to engage clients in their own recovery, subsequently promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Spirit Horse Program - clients will be guided through various experiences with the horses which include: watching the dynamics of the horses and herd, identifying relationships and dynamics in the herd, entering the herd to catch a horse, trust exercises with the horses, learning to communicate with a horse, experiencing how horses can show how to live better lives, building symbolic obstacles to accomplish with the horse, individual and/or group tasks with the herd, and symbolic painting on the horses. Horses have an undeniable ability to bring about change in people; they mirror a situation and show us the best and worst of ourselves. Clients will build relationships with the horses that will allow for an open path of learning to help the client make changes for their recovery journey.
Horse Time - involves grooming the horses, caring for them, feeding them, learning safety rules and gaining basic control on the ground. Horse time is described as a therapeutic intervention using horses as a tool to promote wellness. In terms of skills learned, it will focus on physical activity, promoting independence, increasing awareness of activities of daily living, making choices, compassion, boundaries, and social, life and work skills. A simple task like grooming a horse can assist clients in feeling secure to start talking about their problems. The long-term effects can be increased self-esteem, self-image, self-control, trust, enhanced social interaction, improved communication and learning and better quality of life.
Te'sipow Therapeutic Services was established in January 2015. The vision of the services is aimed at enhancing the mental health and life skills of youth, adults, families, and groups through therapeutic interaction with horses. Clients will gain a sense of meaning, purpose, self-worth and belonging through use of a magnanimous creature – the horse. Through being with and caring for this creature clients will learn the power of themselves as a caring and needed individual. Clients will feel self-efficacious and empowered to achieve recovery.
The programs at the Te’sipow Stable are facilitated by Erin Gallant – a graduate of Therapeutic Recreation as well as a Level 2 Equine Canada Coach. In addition to her educational and vocational experiences, what makes the programs here at the stable most effective is Erin’s own lived experience and self-identification with mental health issues and her journey to use horses as a tool in her recovery. Erin has been caring for horses her entire life – it has been her life long dream to pass on her experiences and her expertise to others experiencing similar obstacles and barriers in their lives. Erin’s recovery journey continues day-to-day and it is through her connection with the horses that she is able to assist others in taking the steps towards their own recovery.
In January 2015, Erin took the leap and started working for herself – her six co-workers are her saving grace. Tinker, Andy, Harry, Roxy, Charlie and Whiz can’t wait to meet you. We will introduce you to each horse but we want to start with Tinker – the Spirit Horse. In 2013, Tinker’s human, Alison lost her battle with mental illness at the age of 25. Her spirit lives on in her treasured best friend – Tinker. Alison’s family yearned for a way to capture their daughter’s memory and it is through the relationship with Erin that the idea of Spirit Horse came to fruition. Alison’s family are confident that their daughter has a permanent smile ingrained in her face knowing that her beloved best friend, Tinker and Tinker’s ability to help others with similar stories is her legacy.
Since moving to a new location, Tinker has settled in with her 5 friends! Te’sipow stable houses these 6 horses, 2 mini horses and 2 goats. Erin has been offering two programs described below in the new location since January. Despite the cold, frigid temperatures of the winter and despite the rain, drizzle and fog of the spring and summer, Erin has trudged on trying to adapt the programs as much as possible, as there is currently no roof on the horse arena. All programs have been dependent on the weather, which poses havoc on this island of ours. With the success stories unfolding, the need for a roof has been identified as a barrier to continuation of the programming year round. Implementation of these programs on a year round basis is a means to engage clients in their own recovery, subsequently promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Spirit Horse Program - clients will be guided through various experiences with the horses which include: watching the dynamics of the horses and herd, identifying relationships and dynamics in the herd, entering the herd to catch a horse, trust exercises with the horses, learning to communicate with a horse, experiencing how horses can show how to live better lives, building symbolic obstacles to accomplish with the horse, individual and/or group tasks with the herd, and symbolic painting on the horses. Horses have an undeniable ability to bring about change in people; they mirror a situation and show us the best and worst of ourselves. Clients will build relationships with the horses that will allow for an open path of learning to help the client make changes for their recovery journey.
Horse Time - involves grooming the horses, caring for them, feeding them, learning safety rules and gaining basic control on the ground. Horse time is described as a therapeutic intervention using horses as a tool to promote wellness. In terms of skills learned, it will focus on physical activity, promoting independence, increasing awareness of activities of daily living, making choices, compassion, boundaries, and social, life and work skills. A simple task like grooming a horse can assist clients in feeling secure to start talking about their problems. The long-term effects can be increased self-esteem, self-image, self-control, trust, enhanced social interaction, improved communication and learning and better quality of life.
Organizer
Erin Gallant
Organizer
Portugal Cove-St Philips, NL
