Project Angel EYES

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Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Therapy Equine Assisted Therapy is an established field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning. 

The focus of our program centers on creative activities with the horses that require the client to apply specific skills, solve problems and respond to challenges.  

The solution-oriented approach encourages clients to seek creative and functional ways to deal with unfamiliar tasks and develop insights based on their own reactions to the situations. 

WHY HORSES? 

Horses are keenly aware of human body language and emotional state and they react instinctively to them. They can mirror states of mind that the client himself may be unaware of, providing the opportunity for the facilitator to observe the results of the interaction and for the clients to make their own discoveries about the experience. 

The horses are always honest and are immune to the many manipulative behaviors that can be used to influence human beings. The physical presence of these animals often breaks down defenses and resistance that may arise therapy. 

They can act as surrogates for the significant people in the client’s life, revealing much in their interactions.

Some typical goals our participants work toward include:  

• Identifying patterns of behavior and response
•  Improve self-esteem 
• Develop trust in a safe environment 
• Encourage socialization skills 
• Develop choice-making and goal-setting skills 
• Learn congruent communication skills 
• Establish appropriate boundary-setting skills 
• Promote pro-social attitudes through caregiving 
• Increase focus and attention span 
• Become mindful of the relationship of feelings to behaviors

Joey has over 40 years of experience with horses; from her early years of western pleasure, barrel racing to her work today rescuing miniature horses, training them to be therapy animals, Co-Founder of Miniature Equine Therapy Standards Association to serving in her community as a certified livestock evacuator during disasters, to mounted archery competitions. 

Joey’s experiences and credentials include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Founder of Mini Angel Eyes a 501(c)3 
• Co-Founder of Miniature Equine Therapy Standards Association (METSA) 
• EAGALA – the international association providing professional development education incorporating horses within mental health & personal development context.  
• Equine Assisted Learning 
• Equine Assisted Psychotherapy 
• A National Evaluator for METSA 
• An Authorized Representative for the Department of Agriculture & various Sheriff Departments for the protection of livestock 
• 15 years of animal rescue experience 
• Mounted Archery Association of the Americas: Nationally Ranked Mounted Archer .