Howard A. Hall Foundation’S OFFERINGS:
A DAY AT THE RANCH
A day of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, horsemanship 101, nature watching, overnight camping, camp fire, star gazing, planting and harvesting fruit trees and photography to name a few.
EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES AND THERAPY
The horse is used as a facilitator of the professionally designed therapeutic activity.
The Howard A. Hall Foundaation is also unique in that we perform Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP). This work entails that the horse is used as a facilitator of the counseling session.
EFP is defined as an interactive process in which a licensed mental health professional working with a credentialed equine professional partners with a mental health professional uses a horse to design a therapeutic session for the client.
The concept that horses might be helpful or healing to people struggling with mental health issues is based on the idea that horses (as domesticated prey animals) are extremely sensitive to changes in the human being (as a predatory creature). Due to their sensitivity, horses react and respond to people differently based upon the person’s emotional state. We know that emotional states in human beings impact our physiology. Horses can smell and sense those changes using their vomer nasal organ. The horse acts as a large biofeedback machine, providing the client and the therapist with information regarding the client’s moods and changes within those moods. If a client arrives anxious the horse will act and respond one way. If the client is able to reduce his or her anxiety, the horse’s behaviors will also change. This provides a plethora of information and skill building opportunities for both the client and the therapist.
BENEFITS
The Howard A. Hall Foundaation’s motto is “Nurture with Nature”. Play in nature is especially important for developing capacities for creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual development. Studies have proven that time spent in nature improves academic performance, reduces Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms, improves nutrition, eyesight, social relations and self-discipline. Play in nature has also been shown to reduce stress.
