We hope our FAQ section helps answer your questions. We always welcome you to reach out with your unique questions and we will be happy to answer them.
Equine Assisted Learning is a program utilized to help minimize the effects of PTSD (yes verterans and first responders - we are talking to you!), emotional or physical trauma, and mental and physical disabilities. It will also improve communication and teach responsibility.
We have a both short- and long-term programs available. Based upon the progam duration, you may be grooming horses, learning how to tack them up, communicating with them, learning how to work them in the round pen, cool them off, and listening to body language to understand what the horse is trying to tell you. Horses soothe the soul and force you to be in the moment; to quiet your mind.
Confidentiality is of utmost importance in our Equine Assisted Learning program. We understand that privacy is a big deal to many. As a result, you are welcome to share any information you want personally. Our team at Equine Assisted Learning does not discuss any personal or program goal information with anyone inside or outside of our program.
Any money donated to Darkside Equine Therapy, the company that oversees the Equine Assisted Learning Program, is 100% tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Our parent company, Darkside Performance Inc., is a non-profit. Darkside Performance utilizes a dba for Darkside Equine Therapy. Everything we do is for the benefit of the community and individuals in which we serve.
Our staff has been breeding, showing and marketing horses for over 20 years. In addition, they have led Corporations to exponential growth through executive coaching and development. This next chapter is simply a way to take the skills learned and apply them to helping others through horses.
We operate our Equine Assisted Learning program at Darkside Arabians. We utilize Arabian horses, who we find to be the most intuitive breed, to help educate clients on horses, work through life events, PTSD and emotional traumas through a simple process of helping you identify how you are feeling in the moment. This a safe, non-threatening environment where our primary goal will be to ensure your comfort.
Yes. To keep organized and uninterupted during a group or individual session, we do not allow drop ins as they serve as a distraction. We have room for everyone - we just ask that you schedule an introductory meeting with us first to discuss your goals. Don't know your goals - we can help with that!
We do not currently offer non-program related time with our horses. We encourage you to go to our Arabian farm breeding web site for opportunities to come visit the horses. You can reach them at http://www.darksidearabians.com or by calling 828-435-2995.
Yes. We need experienced and confident farm/horse volunteers. It is not necessary to be skilled in Equine Assisted Learning, but it is necessary to be confident around horses, being used to mucking stalls, grooming and filling water buckets, haltering and leading. There will be other duties as needed. After a two week evaluation period, you may join group sessions at no cost and attend 1 weekly session for every four hours of volunteer time. We are looking for PT volunteers during weekdays and weekends.
Yes. You have the choice of participating in a group session or an individual session based upon your own needs. We can talk about what works best for you during our introductory meeting.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on helping community members have a safe space to explore minimizing the effects of PTSD, emotional and physical traumas and disabilities. We work hard to offer services with a minimal financial investment by our clients. Please go to our Programs page for full pricing options.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.