Student Life Skills - Free Rein Foundation
Equine Assisted Services (EAS) is a form of animal-assisted interactions that encompass the use of horses and a specialist working together with at-promise youth to create positive change. Benefits of EAS include building trust, reducing anxiety, depression and isolation, and increasing self-esteem and assertiveness
With a profound belief in the healing abilities of horses, and an unwavering dedication to rescue and rehabilitate equines in need, in 2014 psychotherapist and equine therapist Dr. Carole Harris founded Free Rein Foundation. Free Rein Foundation provides a loving sanctuary for abused and unwanted horses, and harnesses their unique intuitive abilities to help youth overcome mental health challenges. Their transformative programs are tailored to youth groups, with sessions revolving around specific themes including navigating trauma and grief, enhancing communication skills, building leadership abilities, managing anxiety and depression, setting boundaries, and more.
Last Saturday, our student psychologist Dr. Robin Baroway took students to Free Rein for an Equine-Assisted Learning & Development (EALD) session. With trained facilitators and equine specialists, students engaged in guided interactions with gentle horses to explore and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. As the session progressed, students truly became more comfortable and confident, bonding with these beautiful, intuitive horses, and with each other. “Through these immersive experiences, participants not only develop essential life skills but also forge deep connections with one another and our beloved horses, fostering resilience, empathy, and personal growth.”
Providing experiences and tools for our students to learn ways to take personal responsibility for their mental health and wellbeing is an important part of our Robyne’s Nest mission. The Free Rein Foundation Equine Assisted Learning & Development session truly planted a seed in “empowering hearts and healing minds" for our students.