By Brittany Drysdale
THROUGH the use of ground-breaking Equine Assisted Narrative Therapy (EANT), Horses for Hope utilises the connection between both horses and humans to heal and improve each other’s lives in a safe and therapeutic environment.
Developed in 2004, the program is situated on a 25-acre oasis just outside of Shepparton, with sprawling outback fields. Participants aged three and up can come through and connect with their partnered horse, working through some of their challenges with the supportive and highly trained counsellors and horse practitioners.
“We see really powerful stories of people regaining hope in their lives and showing resilience in the face of adversity”, said senior counsellor Jack O’Sullivan.
Some of the benefits of this program include improved wellbeing, problem solving, leadership, emotional regulation, and mindfulness.
It’s not only people who benefit from this practice but the horses too, with each horse in the program coming from a background of feeling unsafe in the world. On their own healing journey, the horses learn to work with and trust humans again and are eventually sent home once their recovery is complete.
Horses for Hope is a registered charity, relying on government, community, and philanthropic grants to run the program.
Program director and Founder Colin Emonson stated, “We’re doing this work on behalf of the community for those who really need it. And we need the support of the community to continue to do that.”
For more information or to support the program, visit www.horsesforhope.org.au or contact Horses for Hope on 0448559365
