Disability and Social Support in home or Community Equine Facilitated Learning and Interactions
Community & Social Support, Equine Facilitated Learning (Australian Equine Facilitated Learning)
You don’t want to be judged, you need to feel safe, and to take things at your pace?
I can support you to feel empowered, included and seen. With horses as our partners, or without them. Your choice, your way.
Listening to and understanding your needs and goals then nurturing the process by supporting you through it, are the foundations of my work. My goal is to assist others to feel empowered in their lives. I understand it can be difficult to ask for help, working toward your own goals, improving social connectedness, building self-esteem, building relationship skills or even achieving a personal goal can feel overwhelming, but I am here to help you through this process by providing a niche and individualised service to suit you.
You don’t want to be judged, you need to feel safe, and to take things at your pace?
I can support you to feel empowered, included and seen. With horses as our partners, or without them. Your choice, your way.
Listening to and understanding your needs and goals then nurturing the process by supporting you through it, are the foundations of my work. My goal is to assist others to feel empowered in their lives. I understand it can be difficult to ask for help, working toward your own goals, improving social connectedness, building self-esteem, building relationship skills or even achieving a personal goal can feel overwhelming, but I am here to help you through this process by providing a niche and individualised service to suit you.
I would like to acknowledge the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Custodians of the land I live on. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and acknowldege the trauma they faced and continue to face since colonisation.
.jpg)
EFL
The goal of EFL is to promote strategies for people to attain healthier relationships that may improve wider group and family dynamics as the result of more effective communication. EFL sessions bring together horses and people in a safe, supervised space designed to elicit a positive and empowering interaction. Benefits from participation in EFL have also been observed in the following areas: • Communication• Self esteem• Co-ordination and motor skills• Focus and observation• Respect• Self-control and self-awareness• Relationships
Reflect
The equine component is self paced equine therapeutic interactions, for those looking to gain confidence to work on a better relationship with your own horse or just love being around horses for your own enjoyment and fulfilment. My goal is to tailor a service to meet each individuals goals and needs. It has been shown in contemporary clinical research that human brain wave patterns change when people experience close interactions with a horse. This suggests that human brain waves can be transformed in a very positive way when in the presence of horses. Therefore, appropriate interactions with horses can prove therapeutic to adults and children alike. Equine Facilitated Learning is an interaction between horses and people which is designed to promote experiential learning for all the participants.
Horse riding benefits
The physical benefits of riding can include • Respiratory control • Improved postural symmetry• Trunk core strength• Improved gross motor skills• Enhanced balance and strength With a holistic approach, I also offer services to assist nervous riders (or beginners), learn essential skills to help keep themselves safe. Once more through a process of nurture, empower and support, I look forward to discussing your goals and establish an approach to help guide your way.
“Square pegs do not always fit in round holes”
Nurture - Empower - Support
.jpeg)
Social....
SOCIAL SUPPORT & CONNECTION
Liberty of Life will support you to fulfil an inclusive life Social support might involve various things that assist you in your daily activities which have a social community aspect.
Some examples follow:• Learning a new skill or doing something different in the community just for the fun of it. • Going to church • Going to the movies • Shopping • Group social activity• Individual activity
• At home care and support
Social and community connectedness is important to everyone, it gives us a sense of empowerment.
At Liberty Of Life, our focus is to deliver a positive experience for all and to nurture, empower and support our participants to achieve connection in whatever situation they are in, this could include equine or in community support.
Social.....
EQUINE INTERACTIONS
Benefits from participation in EFL have been observed in the following areas: • Communication• Self esteem• Co-ordination and motor skills• Focus and observation• Respect• Self-control and self-awareness• Relationships Often, participants will need to modify or adapt their energy levels, focus and actions to achieve the desired interaction with the horse. When the modified behaviour results in success, the behaviour will often continue after the participant has left the horse. Repeated sessions can result in longer term effects. Sometimes there are benefits to the client being on the horse as their movement can be a foundation for improving sensory processing.
.jpg)
And more social - it is all intertwined
EFL Information
What is it?Interactions with horses have been used in therapeutic scenarios by numerous organisations for decades. Despite there being very limited research and few recognised studies conducted into how or why these interactions are beneficial, the likely reason for lack of research is partly because it is a difficult modality to measure or quantify.
Few would dispute that horse interactions are beneficial, and it is unlikely that such interactions would have continued and developed if participants failed to derive any benefits. There are currently several options available to participants. Participants engaging in any equine interaction are advised to undertake a bit of research to determine which modality of therapy may be the most appropriate for them and to ask potential providers a lot of questions.
The difference between Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL for short) and other modalities using horses, is the absence of any medically certified or medically qualified professional at the session. EFL is NOT Equine Assisted Psychotherapy – we believe the horse is the “therapist” and the provider of any therapeutic benefits and as such the Facilitator of an EFL session is not required to have these qualifications. A horse is therapeutic by virtue of just being… a horse.
At Liberty Of Life, our horses welfare is at the forefront of everything we do and have various personalities so EFL can be good for a wide range of horses as well as people. Relationships between people and animals can have profound benefits whether done on their own or as part of a wider treatment program.
Horses interact with people without judgement or pre-conception – plus they look, smell and feel good. Just being present with horses can help to improve a situation or an outlook on life. There is no requirement to compete or even ride in EFL – it is about a different way of being with a horse and building different communication, relationships, and connection. Being around a horse often allows people to experience a new way of being present and often release previous perceptions they may have about themselves.
EFL provides a safe space for people to grow, expand into their potential and is commonly inspiring and positive for all who experience it.
Unless you are a facilitator, no horse experience or skill is required to participate in EFL and any age, background, ability, or disability can benefit. Mostly, sessions involve interacting with the horse from the ground and although getting on the horse is a possibility, many people will experience EFL and its many benefits without riding.
The ground-based activities are designed to meet a group or individual’s way of learning, taking into account existing skills, or educational/development goals.
Something about me...
Your host's story
Throughout my life, I have been involved with people living with various elements of mental health issues, both in a professional capacity and in those around me and have experience with Family Violence and I am passionate about creating an inclusive environment and safe space for people around me.
In 2014 I began working fulltime with individuals with complex needs. From people living with personality disorders, ABI’s, ID’s and mental health issues to those living with physical disabilities, my life experience has been inclusive.
My personal goal is to work with individuals through my commitment to a process of Nurture, Empower, Support. I am a sole trader experienced in Social Support with relevant tertiary qualifications. Horses have been in my life for longer than I can remember and before I could walk (so let’s say over 45 years) . Learning to communicate with an animal with an average weight of over 500kg, I have learned to work together in a holistic approach for communication we both can understand. The beauty of this is this communication is transferable to all living beings. NDIS self managed particpants welcome and I have a current application with NDIS to become a Registered Provider.
My personal goal is to work with individuals through my commitment to a process of Nurture, Empower, Support. I am a sole trader experienced in Social Support with relevant tertiary qualifications. Horses have been in my life for longer than I can remember and before I could walk (so let’s say over 45 years) . Learning to communicate with an animal with an average weight of over 500kg, I have learned to work together in a holistic approach for communication we both can understand. The beauty of this is this communication is transferable to all living beings. NDIS self managed particpants welcome and I have a current application with NDIS to become a Registered Provider.
Contact
Get involved or request further information
