Phoenix Area Business Uses Horses for Learning and Therapy
Phoenix, AZ (PRWeb) March 26, 2007 -- For many years, experts have known the benefits of using animal assisted therapies and activities as a learning tool. Dogs and cats have been used for to heighten the spirits of the aged and to help children with learning and behavioral difficulties. Now there is a new form of animal therapeutic treatments available in the metropolitan Phoenix area. Healing Reigns (www.healingreigns.com) uses horses as a tool to provide Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). It is used as a means to promote team building, non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative problem solving, leadership, taking responsibility, relationships, confidence, and positive attitudes. One of the key things about Healing Reigns is has been proven to be successful when other therapies have failed. Healing Reigns is based in Goodyear, Arizona and was founded by Meloney Nunez, who is a certified level 2 Equine Assisted Therapist through EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and also holds two masters degrees in MA and MED.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a new and growing field that is effective in building confidence, improving communication skills, and providing personal insights that give participants fresh and effective problem-solving tools. In EAP the collaboration between therapist, equine professional and horse helps participants learn about themselves and others by completing specific goal-oriented activities and tasks. Because horses have distinct personalities and tend to "mirror" human reactions, participants learn that when they change their behavior, a horse will respond differently. While initially some can be intimidated by the size of the horse, by working with them, they find they can overcome fear and develop confidence as well as mentally and physically engage with them.
"There are many individuals and families and business associates who are looking for tools to enable them to work together, solve differences and become more successful in their daily lives," said Meloney Nunez, founder and president of Healing Reigns. "We have found that utilizing horses and the innovative benefits that they bring to learning is unequalled. In fact, studies have shown that Equestrian Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy has succeeded when all other therapies have failed."
Because Healing Reigns uses horses for learning and therapeutic purposes, participants never ever get on the horse. All precautions are taken to make sure that the programs are conducted in a safe environment and there is a horse handler with the group to make sure that the environment is safe and conducive to learning at all times. No child or adult has ever sustained an injury in any Healing Reigns group.
To date, Meloney Nunez has developed groups to treat both children and adults. She is currently conducting an educational program for 16 students of Skyview School, located in Peoria, Arizona. The program is so important to these children that five volunteers drive many miles just to be with the kids and observe the program. In addition, she has developed a team building program that been extremely successful for businesses, executives, church groups and just about any other group looking to grow and gain effective tools for successfully working together, leadership and problem solving.
"We want to enhance the lives of people and help them grow in their desired area. We want people to know that Healing Reigns is here and to know that when all else fails, we are an alternative to positive change," said Nunez.
About Healing Reigns
Healing Reigns has a primary goal of helping those that are hurting and helping families and individuals in need through promoting healing, self-awareness and growth through the use of Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Healing Reigns Founder and President, Meloney Nunez has spent years in the medical field and trained at the world renown Remuda Ranch inpatient facility, where she became a specialist on eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, obesity and compulsive overeating. Her professional memberships include:
- National Board for Certified Counselors
- Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association
- Christian Business Women's Association
- Arizona Chapter EAGALA/Founder and president since 2005.
###
Related Articles:
Horse Breeds: Qatgani, Quarab, Quarter Horse, Quarter Pony, Racking Horse, Rocky Mountain Horse
*QATGANI*
Found in Afghanistan, the Qatgani is a light riding horse
*QUARAB*
In 1989, the United Quarab Registry was created in order to recognize and promote the Quarter Horse-arabian crossbred, called the Quarab breed
Horse Breeds: Kiger Mustang, Kirdi Pony, Kisber Felver, Kiso, Kladruby, Knabstrup
*KIGER MUSTANG*
In 1977, in Lake County, Oregon- a herd of hourses that appeared to have a strong Spanish heritage were brought in All of the horses in the mustang herd had zebra striped legs and dorsal stripes
Horse Breeds: Galician Pony, Gelderlander, Gidran, Golden American Saddlebred, Gotland
*GALICIAN PONY*
Found in northwest Spain, The Galician Pony is home in a region that features many mountains and a wet climate The breed is used for the production of meat and for riding
Horse Breeds: Budyonny, Byelorussian Harness, Camargue Horse, Campolina Horse
*BUDYONNY*
Derived from the country previously known as the Soviet Union, the Budyonny is a breed of horse using the combination of the English Thoroughbred and the Russian Don During the Russian Revolution a hero by the name of Marshal Budyonny developed the Budyonny horse
Horse Breeds: Peruvian Paso, Pindos Pony, Pinia, Pintabian, Pinto
*PERUVIAN PASO*
Before the 17th century most of the horses in the world had natural gaits, and horses that trotted were exceptional The majority of travel was done upon a horses back, and there were very little people who knew much about riding a horse, so it was extremely important for a horse to offer a smooth ride
Horse Breeds: Exmoor Pony, Faeroes Pony, Falabella, Fell Pony, Finnhorse
*EXMOOR PONY*
In southwestern England, the Exmoor Pony are descendants of horses that walked along the land of Britain before it was an island The oldest native pony breed, the Exmoor pony is evidenced to exist over 60,000 years
Horse Breeds: Dutch Warmblood, East Bulgarian, Egyptian, Eriskay Pony, Estonian Native
*DUTCH WARMBLOOD*
A warmblooded sport horse, the Dutch Warmblood is typically used for recreational and competitive purposes, such as driving, three day events, jumping, and dressage The Dutch Warmblood is the direct descendent of the Groningen and the Gelderlander
Horse Breeds: Danube, Dartmoor Pony, Deliboz, Djerma, Dole Horse, Dongola, Dulmen Pony, Dutch Draft Horse
*DANUBE*
Developed in Bulgaria, the Danube is typically used as a draft horse or a light riding horse Originating during the Pleven and Nonius crossing in 1920, the Danube is a cross between the Thoroughbred and Russian Trotter
Horse Breeds: Polish Konik, Pony of the Americas, Pottok, Przewalski, Pyrenean Tarpan
*POLISH KONIK*
Sometimes called Konik polski in Poland, and the Polish Pony elsewhere; the Polish Konik is a pony used for riding and draft in Poland They are usually mouse gray colored with a stripe on the dorsal
Horse Breeds: Welsh Pony, West African Barb, Western Sudan Pony, Wielkopolski, Xilingol, Yakut, Yanqi, Yili
*WELSH PONY*
Originally from Wales, the Welsh Mountain pony is a highly adaptable, intelligent horse Not only can the Welsh Pony adapt to harsh environmental conditions, such as severe winters, sparse vegetation and poor shelter in the early days of Wales, but they have also been known to adapt to the needs of humans