Treatment Services: Equine- Assisted Therapy      Interactive Therapy  

Educational Services: School Programs      EAP Training Programs

Community Services: Youth & Family Support Programs

Treatment Services

Educational Services

Community Services

Helpful For

Common Symptoms

• Youth who are dealing with parental conflict, separation or divorce

• Youth who have been traumatized (sexual, physical or emotional abuse)

• Youth who have been adopted or in foster care

• Youth who are dealing with issues of loss, such as illness or death of a loved one

• Youth who have been hospitalized

• Youth who have witnessed domestic violence

• Youth diagnosed with  ADD/ADHD

• Youth who have experienced serious accidents or disasters

• Excessive anger, worry, sadness or fear

• Aggressive behavior (hurting others or self)

• Separation anxiety

• Excessive shyness & behavioral regression

• Low self esteem

• Learning or other school problems

• Sleep, eating or elimination problems

• Preoccupation with sexual behavior

• Difficulty adjusting to family changes

• Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach- aches that have no medical cause

About Animal- Assisted Therapy

How Animals Help Kids & Families with Emotional & Behavioral Issues

The phrase "troubled youth" is somewhat ambiguous and can mean different things to different people. Essentially, it refers to youth who struggle with mid-level to severe emotional and behavioral issues. The youth may experiment with drugs or alcohol or even become addicted. The issues can be caused by any number of things, including an unstable or unsafe home life, or spending time with the "wrong crowd". Regardless of the reason, a youth who is emotionally or behaviorally unstable can be a danger to himself and others. Over the years, psychologists and counselors have discovered many effective treatment approaches for troubled youth. One that is coming to the forefront is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) -  the use of animals as a part of the counseling process.

Studies have shown that spending time with an animal, even a short time of  10 to 15 minutes, increases the amount of endorphins that are released into the body and decreases the levels of a chemical called Cortisol - which is a hormone that controls stress and arousal. Because many troubled youth are in a near-constant state of emotional arousal and/or stress, animal-assisted therapy can help them to feel calmer.

Some people hear "animal-assisted therapy" and think that it means kids are simply hanging out with pets. AAT is a formal, on planned service in which the youth participate interactively. Interactions with the animal (s) are structured for specific goals. Facilities that choose to implement animal-assisted therapy typically conduct extensive studies and develop strict rules and guidelines for their programs. Far from being haphazard, these programs are focused and intentional and often produce marked, positive results.

Counselors have seen youth, even youth in juvenile detention facilities, that are unresponsive to traditional office-based therapy, open up and actually "talk" to a therapy dog or horse. Some are so overwhelmed by an animal's unconditional love that they break down and cry, releasing inner emotions and pent up anger and despair, which has been internalizing over time, creating negative outbursts and behavior.  This kind of emotional breakthrough is vital in the therapeutic process and allows for movement toward emotional and psychological healing.

For youth who struggle with substance abuse or addiction, animal-assisted therapy can play a vital role in their recovery. Addiction takes a severe toll on a person's psyche, including their self-image and their ability to trust. Introducing a therapy animal into the counseling program can help a youth begin to work through these emotions as the animal's presence and acceptance of the youth aides in restoring a positive self-image and ability to trust others and themselves. Back to Top

A kind of magic happens when a desperately unhappy youth is brought to Ride To Pride and  interacts with horses. The change of environment and interaction with the horses and other animals has an uplifting and calming effect. With time, a troubled youth can begin to let go of a lot of pent-up, negative emotions and can learn new behaviors to better deal with their issues.

At Ride To Pride, equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is a unique blend of traditional psychotherapy and basic life skills revolving around the use of horses as a tool for promoting behavioral and emotional change. A collaborative approach by a licensed therapist and an equine professional, EAP is both exciting and intense for individuals, families and groups.

EAP is highly effective for for a variety of mental and behavioral health issues such as Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, abuse, depression, anger management, substance abuse and relationship and communication issues. EAP provides immediate cause and effect situations and challenges in a non-threatening manner. EAP activities focus on a client's treatment goals using basic horsemanship and interactive activities with horses designed to promote and address a variety of behaviors and skills. Self-esteem, self-discipline, fear, anxiety, problem solving, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, peer relations, responsibility, assertiveness, increased awareness, empathy and compassion are many of the behaviors and skills that EAP develops and promotes.

Considered an experiential form of therapy, EAP compares with ropes courses used by treatment facilities and therapists across the nation. A powerful catalyst, the horse is a living, breathing animal that naturally provides an abundance of metaphors to mirror feelings and behaviors. Facilitating the opportunity to learn about and process what emerges during a session is the true healing power of EAP.

People ask "Why horses?". In many ways, the social structure of the horse is similar to that of people. They have defined roles within their "herd" much like people do within their "family or group". Their whole foundation for communication is based on trust and respect. Horses have many different personalities and moods. Their size and power alone can be intimidating to those who have had little or no exposure to them. Breaking down defense barriers, overcoming fear and replacing it with confidence is a powerful asset by itself.

Individual, family and group EAP sessions can be facilitated weekly or as often as necessary according to the client's treatment needs. The sessions are well structured and supervised by the treatment team of therapist and equine professional, who also act as positive role models and ensure the emotional and physical safety of the client. EAP can also be a valuable wrap around service to other forms of intervention. Back to Top

Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making for those who have experienced mental illness, trauma, or other challenges and for those who seek personal development. It is often a primary form of therapy with children who are recovering from physical or sexual assault, verbal abuse and/or neglect.  Through art creation  and reflection,  individuals can learn about themselves and others, they can learn to cope with symptoms, stress,  traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities  and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures art making.

Drawings used as assessment tools can help the art therapist understand concerns and issues that cannot be expressed verbally. The therapist's role in art therapy is to get the child to talk about their art in a narrative way to help externalize their thoughts, experiences and feelings. The therapist must pay attention to things such as the theme of the piece of art, sequence, size, pressure used to draw the picture, strokes and details of the pictures.

Play therapy refers to a method of psychotherapy with children in which a therapist uses a child's fantasies and the symbolic meanings of his or her play as a medium for understanding and communication with the child.

The aim of play therapy is to decrease those behavioral and emotional difficulties that interfere significantly with a child's normal functioning.  Less obvious goals include improved verbal expression, ability for self-observation, improved impulse control, more adaptive ways of coping with anxiety and frustration, and improved capacity to trust and to relate to others.  Back to Top