Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Apr 10, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Global Standard for Equine ­Assisted (Growth And Learning Association ”Eagala”) for Psychotherapy and Personal Development, a Touch of Haven, Horses Healing Humans - big words that have yielded  positive outcomes.
How can horses heal humans? Julie Erb, Founder and Facilitator, spoke to us today to explain. Horses are highly intuitive. They are social animals without prejudice. They have the ability to mirror “your” feelings accurately. They are non-judgemental. Their difference, and effectiveness, is that they don’t judge you based upon the clothes you wear, your history or even the colour of your hair.
Julie herself is an Equine Specialist. Julie explained that she suffered depression. Her journey back was significantly accomplished through association with horses. Her passion has assembled a team of like minded professionals - Registered Psychotherapists.  There are two horse farms - one in Norfolk and one in Haldimand. These are not riding academies. They do not teach riding skills. Clients are placed with a horse or among a group of horses to interact with them. The trained psychotherapists don’t question the clients’ behaviour – rather they observe and explain the horse’s (mirrored) behaviours to the clients and suggest ways to re-approach the horse(s).
The "healing" begins, for some groups, through simple achievement of positive “social” interaction. However, across a spectrum of mental health disorders, some clients (children, teenagers, adults) having seen themselves mirrored in the horses reactions, achieve heightened levels of trust, self worth and self confidence with lasting foundations in their communities, schooling and the workforce.
Touch of Haven operates on a fee base. There is a sliding fee scale reduction based upon clients’ household financial abilities, if needed. Thus the programmes also rely on community fund raising to support operations. Although their staff compliment is quite low, ongoing feed, barns and veterinarian care for the horses can be substantial.
A Touch of Haven can be reached: