Love Grows Love Animal Assisted Learning Scope of Services

Experiential Education with Horses:

• Our Equine Assisted Learning/EAL is self-discovery and leadership development. It is not horseback riding, and the focus is not on developing horsemanship skills. Participants interact with horses through structured, un-mounted (non-riding) activities followed by facilitated discussion of the experience to provide insight about your thoughts, beliefs and patterns of behavior. No prior horse experience is necessary and those with horse experience are equally challenged.
• Experiential, goal-oriented activities are used to target beliefs, assumptions, perceptions, and responses to various situations that individuals encounter on a daily basis in their lives. These are examined during debriefing after an activity so participants can gain greater personal insight about themselves and how they interact as a group to accomplish goals. The experience with the horses is reflected back to our day-to-day work or home environment to draw parallels and establish metaphors. The basic premise of the experience is that how we interact with horses is an indication of how we interact with team or family members.
• During the training, an environment of non-judgment and acceptance is created. There is no right or wrong way of doing the exercises.

Clothing

• The training may be outdoors or indoors doing physical activities with horses. If there is inclement weather, training will be done in the indoor arena however participants should be mindful of the temperatures and dress accordingly.
• Please wear comfortable and casual clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Long pants are preferable all times of the year (despite our best efforts, we still have some biting flies on the premises).
• All participants are required to wear closed toe shoes to protect their feet when working with the horses (no exceptions). Tennis shoes are fine. No ballet type flats, crocs or slip-on shoes please.

Other Information:

• Please give us as early notice as you can if you need to cancel your session. We will do the same. Normally the only time we will cancel sessions is due to snow/ice, winter/summer temperatures due to safety and your comfort or unexpected emergencies.
• Participants are encouraged to wash hands frequently. Masks are not required but may be worn if a participant chooses to do so.
• Snacks will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle. If the training is a full day, lunch will also be provided.
• If you have any special food requirements or allergies, please notify The Love Grows Love staff prior to the training.
• Please bring sunscreen and any allergy medicine you may require for the day. We may be out in the sun during activities with the horses and you will be exposed to insects, other animals, hay, grass, and dust at the farm.
• If you have allergies to bees, please be sure to notify Love Grows Love staff when you arrive and bring any medication you may need with you.
• This is NOT a therapy program and should not be promoted as therapy in any way.
• Have fun!!