Services
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy…. Where Horses Make The Difference!
Services
Idaho Horse Therapy is proud to work with a wide variety of consultants and experts in various fields. On staff, our Equine Specialists (ES's) are experts in the field of equine behaviors and reactions. We host sessions with the client (or clients, in the case of group therapy), a horse, and a Mental Health Expert (MHE–professional in the field of mental health with at least a Master's Degree).
The Equine Specialist facilitates activities in order to obtain reactions from clients and horses alike, often specially tailored to any issues or dysfunctions the client may be dealing with. The MHE's and ES's work together in dialogue with the client to identify strengths, weaknesses and assess progress.
Because horses will always react honestly, they are perfectly suited to bring about major metaphorical learning. Idaho Horse Therapy works closely with the MHE's to determine the number, duration, and frequency of sessions a client will attend. IHT is flexible in scheduling and location, able to accommodate clients all over the Magic Valley.
Veteran's Services:
IHT has chosen to focus on returning military with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Equine assisted therapy sessions are conducted with a mental health specialist in attendance for interpretation of actions and reactions with the horses. Family sessions have proven to be very effective in helping soldiers return to a much healthier family life with less anger and abuse. While IHT staff have worked with veterans in individual sessions over the last five years, we are currently working on a more intensive program, which would allow us to impact a larger portion of this important and under-served demographic.
Learn about Re-Boot Camp® →Youth Programs:
IHT works with troubled youth in solutions-based Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) sessions, either individually, or with parents or a group of peers. Interactions with the horses often bring out the truest forms of ourselves, and dysfunctional actions and responses that we are often unaware of, are quickly made clear. Through our sessions, we help to teach children how better to cope. Horses are also a very valuable tool in dealing with substance abuse issues.
Get in touch →Wildfire Knights
First Responders Program
Wildfire Knights is Idaho Horse Therapy's dedicated program for first responders — firefighters, law enforcement, paramedics, and emergency medical personnel who face their own daily battles with trauma, PTSD, and the invisible wounds of service.
Like our veterans, first responders are often an under-served demographic when it comes to mental health treatment. The nature of their work exposes them repeatedly to traumatic events, yet the culture of their professions can make it difficult to seek help. Wildfire Knights provides a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment where first responders can begin to heal.
Using the same proven EAGALA-model Equine Assisted Psychotherapy that powers our Re-Boot Camp® program, Wildfire Knights delivers intensive, evidence-based treatment in a group and individual setting. Horses respond to what is truly happening — not what we say is happening — making them uniquely powerful partners in the healing process.
"After my husband's first session, I saw dramatic changes. My husband is dealing with his PTSD better than I could have ever hoped for. He is more active, more happy, sleeps better, engages the kids more often and more positively. This program has given us the light at the end of the tunnel."
— Mirinda Climer