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Horses Helping Humans Heal

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Support Trauma-Informed Equine Experiential Learning for Those Who Need it Most!

Trauma hurts everyone – men, women, young people --and many in our first responder community.

Horses can help and now you can too.


Over the past 18 months, The Mane Intent Inc. has worked with over 100 first responders in treatment for post-traumatic stress and occupational stress injuries who are on a personal journey to greater wellness.
Having participated in our Equine Support for Post-Trauma Growth offering, these men and women, including first responders, correctional officers, and those serving our country in the Canadian Forces explored areas of post-trauma growth including:
·      Enhanced relationships and connection with others
·      Changes in self-perception
·      Increased acceptance of their own vulnerability and limitations
·      Greater emotional self-regulation and awareness
·      Increased resilience and,
·      An opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate what’s important in life.

96% of participants said the experience was mostly or very useful. It’s an opportunity to:
·  reflect and acknowledge the real, internal and personal impact of the repercussions of the first responder role on themselves and those around them; 
·  to learn to respond most effectively at work and at home to personal and professional triggers, receiving tools to help manage stress and tension on the job; and
·  to learn to manage the personal impact of experiences that naturally build up from first responder engagements.

Occupational stress injuries due to traumatic experiences also impact many in health care or caring professions: ER physicians and nurses, social workers, therapists and teachers. 

To those who eventually come to realize that they have been injured as a result of operational stress, coming forward is not a viable solution due to the negative stigma associated with this type of illness or ailment. Operational stress injuries include anxiety and depression, but Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is perhaps the best known and most serious.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, PTSD is caused by a psychologically traumatic event involving actual or threatened death or serious injury to oneself or others. It can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-altering events such as serious accidents, physical and sexual assault. PTSD can be triggered by a single traumatic event or it results from an accumulation of trauma that builds up over time.

What we know is that bringing horses and humans together to explore new possibilities can be very therapeutic – particularly for those on a journey to post-trauma growth. We believe in the healing power of horses, their ability to mirror our emotions and the safe and non-judgmental place they create for self-discovery.

Outdoors and away from noise and distraction, nature gives people space, allowing for moments of contemplation, reflection, inspiration and creative energy to flow. Nature makes them feel better – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Our unique equine experiential learning offering is tailored to meet the needs of first responders and others who are experiencing job-related PTSD — including fire, police, paramedics, health care professionals, and others working with people experiencing trauma. While not intended to replace traditional counselling and therapy provided by a certified professional, it can be an effective complement to existing treatment programs. This program recognizes the growing body of experience that supports the notion of horse-based experiential learning — especially for people who don’t naturally resonate towards talk therapies – for example, men.

Note: No previous horse experience is required. This is a facilitated learning experience, occuring on the ground working in partnership with horses.  Our programming does not include horse-back riding. 

Our wish is that more people can benefit from this offering and opportunity to be guided by our horses on their healing journey. Unfortunately many insurance programs do not cover equine-assisted recovery and many of those who benefit most from the offering cannot afford the program fee. 

With your assistance, we can provide our offering to more people on a journey to post-trauma growth who would benefit from experiential learning with horses.

The activities with the horses become a metaphor for what is happening in the participant’s life and relationships, providing a mirror reflecting back insights about their personality, communication style and coping responses. In this space, participants can explore their fears, build trust in themselves and others and develop their skills in a supportive and non-threatening environment -- away from home and work.

Our goal is to provide more people – men, women and young people – with an opportunity to experience the powerful benefits of working with horses as natural coaches on their journey to post-trauma growth. You can help.

Every donation provides us with an opportunity to deliver trauma- informed equine experiences, while supporting more people rediscovering joy and hope.

We work with a team and network of Equine Programming certified facilitators, social workers, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and corporate and life coaches to support programming. Delivery teams are determined by client needs. 

We are very grateful for any support received and our horses welcome the opportunity to help.

For more information on our programming, go to www.themaneintent.ca

About Us:

Jennifer Garland is the Owner/Program Director of The Mane Intent, offering Health and Wellness Workshops and Individual and Team Effectiveness Coaching. Jennifer’s intent is to bring horses and humans together to explore new possibilities, getting you out of your comfort zone and giving clarity of voice to your leader within. She has over 25 years of leadership experience in communications, cause-related marketing and change management. As a strategist, facilitator and effectiveness coach, Jennifer has provided counsel and support to senior leaders from all walks of life to build productive relationships, facilitate learning and to embrace change. She is a ‘socialpreneur’ who values the art of living life fully with intent.

Organizer

Jennifer Garland
Organizer
Norwood, ON

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