Equine Assisted Development (EAD) is a faith based, non-profit, farm in the city that provides EAGALA-certified horse therapy services to those who are hurting.
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EAD offers individual and group sessions and retreat therapy programs through financial donors, scholarships and partnerships. EAD provides two distinct forms of therapy under the EAGALA Model. First, equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) and second, equine assisted learning (EAL).
The EAGALA Model is considered the gold standard for equine assisted psychotherapy and personal development. Client's looking to utilize EAP must provide their own licensed therapist to work with an certified horse specialist. Those interested in EAL, work solely with a horse specialist.
Please note, client's that fall within the military program group MUST utilize EAP therapy and provide their own licensed therapist.
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Recent Media Features
Equine Assisted Development interview - woodradio.iheart.com
Non-profit Brings "Real Happiness" with Mobile Horse Therapy - WomansLifestyle.com
Free Horse Therapy Offered to Essential Workers - fox17online.com
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See what other sources have to say about equine therapy:
How Horse Therapy can Help Veterans - Military.com
The Therapeutic Value of Horses - PsychologyToday.com
Using Equine Therapy as Mental Health Treatment - VeryWellMind.com
Who is Equine Assisted Development?
Equine assisted therapy is unique and universal in its ability to make a positive impact on every individual who works with our horses, providing healing to various forms of trauma. EAD wants to bring hope to our clients, our city and our community.
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EAD provides a safe, calm space for individuals experiencing grief, depression, PTSD, anxiety, trauma, Alzheimer's, Dementia and other psychological issues. We believe that EAGALA equine assisted therapy and equine assisted learning can lead to healing, growth, and a better understanding of ourselves, our patterns, and our personal barriers in life.Our most critical EAGALA equine therapy work is done with at-risk clients referred to us by outside agencies throughout West Michigan (such as Manasseh Project, Family Outreach Center, Arbor Circle and public schools with high at-risk populations). Many of our clients have troubled histories including: abuse, sex trafficking, addiction challenges, low self-worth, mental illness, behavioral and identity issues.
Foundations that support EAD include:
Kent Medical Foundation, TWB Foundation, Mojo Foundation and Bank of America Foundation
"Professional Experiential Therapy that Drives Change"
short video from www.EAGALA.org
What does equine assisted
psychotherapy at EAD look like?
Our EAGALA equine therapy experiential programs are interactive through a variety of non-riding activities. All of our EAP equine therapy sessions are facilitated by a certified equine specialist and a therapist who help process activities and emotions with participants. Most sessions are 45 minutes and cater to the client's specific needs.
How does EAGALA
equine therapy work?
Using dialog, horse-centered activities, observation and open-ended questions, clients discover perceptions and mental processes behind their beliefs and actions. Equine therapy helps people tell their story and find their own solutions in a non-judgmental, emotionally safe place - an arena and farm, right in the city, right where you are.
What is equine therapy's impact on mental health?
Sessions take place in the barn, arena or pasture. Each session builds upon the last to help create new neural pathways in the brain. Client's engage critical thinking, decision-making, communication and self-awareness skills, observing how horses mirror perceptions and mental processes behind their beliefs and actions.