Spending time connecting with animals can have extremely positive effects for youth with mental health challenges or past experiences of trauma. This is why Operation Come Home, in partnership with the LivX Alliance and Mādahòkì Farm, is launching a new program “On Horse Time” that gives youth the chance to engage with horses, learning and wellness within a tranquil farm environment.
The benefits of equine centered learning have been well documented by researchers who’ve found these approaches can improve youths’ confidence, self-efficacy, self-acceptance and resilience, while decreasing anxiety and social isolation (Burgon, 2011). Other studies have highlighted how equine-centered engagement can be beneficial for youth struggling with substance use disorder (Dell et al, 2011). A young participant in one academic study states that “[The horses] just see the goodness inside me…’’ (Dell et al., 2011, p.11)
Youth participating in Operation Come Home’s education, drop-in, counselling, and other programs can now gain these same benefits, thanks to the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation, and with the help of the Rotary Club of Ottawa. At each farm day visit, youth and staff leave Operation Come Home to join LivX Alliance facilitators at Mādahòkì Farm. This Ottawa-based farm is located on Hunt Club road, and is led by Indigenous Experiences, a local non-profit organization that manages the farm, and shares Indigenous culture with mainstream audiences. Through Mādahòkì Farm, youth have the chance to learn about Indigenous knowledges, cultural reconnection and decolonization. During farm visits youth and staff participate in one-on-one and group activities with and around horses, including social, learning and wellness activities. Transportation, lunch, and a small honoraria are provided to each youth each visit.
Emili, one of our newest staff and a drop-in support worker, is enthusiastic about the program and its benefits. “It’s great we can offer this program, and a wonderful opportunity for our youth, many of whom have had some challenging past experiences.”
Charlotte Smith, co-founder of the LivX Alliance and co-creator of this program, agrees. “On Horse Time isn’t only about individual healing alongside the horses, it’s about sharing knowledge, community building, and collaborating with youth to imagine and create a better future.” Thanks to the support of partners, this initiative will continue during the summer and fall of 2022. If you know someone that may be interested, or want to support this program, please get in touch with us. We welcome all partners and would love to grow this program to reach more youth across Ottawa
The benefits of equine centered learning have been well documented by researchers who’ve found these approaches can improve youths’ confidence, self-efficacy, self-acceptance and resilience, while decreasing anxiety and social isolation (Burgon, 2011). Other studies have highlighted how equine-centered engagement can be beneficial for youth struggling with substance use disorder (Dell et al, 2011). A young participant in one academic study states that “[The horses] just see the goodness inside me…’’ (Dell et al., 2011, p.11)
Youth participating in Operation Come Home’s education, drop-in, counselling, and other programs can now gain these same benefits, thanks to the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation, and with the help of the Rotary Club of Ottawa. At each farm day visit, youth and staff leave Operation Come Home to join LivX Alliance facilitators at Mādahòkì Farm. This Ottawa-based farm is located on Hunt Club road, and is led by Indigenous Experiences, a local non-profit organization that manages the farm, and shares Indigenous culture with mainstream audiences. Through Mādahòkì Farm, youth have the chance to learn about Indigenous knowledges, cultural reconnection and decolonization. During farm visits youth and staff participate in one-on-one and group activities with and around horses, including social, learning and wellness activities. Transportation, lunch, and a small honoraria are provided to each youth each visit.
Emili, one of our newest staff and a drop-in support worker, is enthusiastic about the program and its benefits. “It’s great we can offer this program, and a wonderful opportunity for our youth, many of whom have had some challenging past experiences.”
Charlotte Smith, co-founder of the LivX Alliance and co-creator of this program, agrees. “On Horse Time isn’t only about individual healing alongside the horses, it’s about sharing knowledge, community building, and collaborating with youth to imagine and create a better future.”
Thanks to the support of partners, this initiative will continue during the summer and fall of 2022. If you know someone that may be interested, or want to support this program, please get in touch with us. We welcome all partners and would love to grow this program to reach more youth across Ottawa.
For those interested, here’s the research that explains why this is so great for our youth, which we cited above:
- Barker SB. Therapeutic Aspects of the Human-Companion Animal Interaction. Psychiatric Times 1999;XVI (2).
- Barker SB, Barker RT, Dawson KS, Knisley JS. The effects of animal-assisted therapy on anxiety ratings of hospitalized psychiatric patients. Psychiatric Services 1998;49 (6):797- 801.
- Burgon, HL. Queen of the world: Experiences of ‘at-risk’ young people participating in equine-assisted learning/therapy. Journal of Social Work Practice 2011 (2):165-183.
- Dell, Chalmers, Bresette et al. A Healing Space : The experiences of first nations and Inuit youth with Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL). Child and Youth Care Form 2011 (40):319-336.
- Katcher AH, Wilkins GG, The use of animal assisted therapy and education with attention-deficit hyperactive and conduct disorders. Interactions 1994;12(4):1-5.
- Mallon GP. Utilization of animals as therapeutic adjuncts with children and youth: a review of the literature. Child and Youth Care Forum 1992;21:53-67.
- Arnold JC. Therapy Dogs and the dissociative patient: Preliminary observations. Dissociation 1995;8 (4): 247-252.
- Batson K, McCabe BW, Baun MM et al. The effect of a therapy dog on socialization and physiologic indicators of stress in persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Animals, Health and Quality of Life: Abstract Book. Paris, France: AFIRAC; 1995.
- Beck A, Seraydarian L, Hunter GF. The use of animals in the rehabilitation of psychiatric inpatients. Psychol Rep 1986;58 (1):63-66.
- Hundley J. Pet Project: The use of pet facilitated therapy among the chronically mentally ill. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 1991;29(6):23-26.
- McCormick A, McCormick M. Horse Sense and the Human Heart: What Horses Can Teach Us About Trust, Bonding, Creativity and Spirituality. Deerfield Beach, Florida: Health Communications, Inc. 1997.