Animal-Assisted Life Skills
and Therapeutics Program
Our team, from left to right: Vanessa Larter, Angel Charity Behavioral Health & Equine Specialist, Chelsea Menke, Behavior Therapist & Equine Specialist, and Jazz Dolan, M.A., Angel Charity Mental Health Provider.
The human-animal bond is a powerful transformative tool! TRAK's animal-assisted life skills and therapeutics program (AALST) is designed to help children and youth and adults in an individual or group-based learning setting, focusing on all aspects of age-appropriate life skills and mental health.
This program was developed to incorporate skill building and skills training with hands on experiential work with animals. This program has a goal to help people achieve personal growth to help strengthen interpersonal relationships, decrease anxiety and depression, increase focus, self worth and self confidence. The program is goal based and can be tailored to individual needs. This program is primarily ground-based, but in some cases may incorporate mounted riding, depending on personal goals.
The primary objective is to have fun while learning new, healthy coping and social skills. These skills help children and adults learn to cope with a myriad of challenges including anger, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. They will also improve social skills, communication skills, task management, focus, listening skills, self-expression and self-esteem. Our participants gain the ability to trust and earn trust, experience peer/community support, reduce or eliminate depression, and much more.
The sessions support an array of different skills and positive behaviors such as:
TRAK supports equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy, but can also design programs using the smaller members of our ranch family. The first step in enrolling in the program is to make an introductory appointment to discuss goals and objectives with our behavioral health staff.
We welcome behavioral health agencies to inquire about bringing individual clients or groups for this program, and we tailor each program specifically to meet your goals.
Spring 2020 Groups and Private Sessions are booking NOW! Please contact us for more information. **ESA funds are accepted for services in this program!
This program was developed to incorporate skill building and skills training with hands on experiential work with animals. This program has a goal to help people achieve personal growth to help strengthen interpersonal relationships, decrease anxiety and depression, increase focus, self worth and self confidence. The program is goal based and can be tailored to individual needs. This program is primarily ground-based, but in some cases may incorporate mounted riding, depending on personal goals.
The primary objective is to have fun while learning new, healthy coping and social skills. These skills help children and adults learn to cope with a myriad of challenges including anger, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. They will also improve social skills, communication skills, task management, focus, listening skills, self-expression and self-esteem. Our participants gain the ability to trust and earn trust, experience peer/community support, reduce or eliminate depression, and much more.
The sessions support an array of different skills and positive behaviors such as:
- Self-awareness/Self-esteem
- Coping skills
- Building community
- Task management
- Active listening
- Responsibility
- Relationship development
- Social Skills
TRAK supports equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy, but can also design programs using the smaller members of our ranch family. The first step in enrolling in the program is to make an introductory appointment to discuss goals and objectives with our behavioral health staff.
We welcome behavioral health agencies to inquire about bringing individual clients or groups for this program, and we tailor each program specifically to meet your goals.
Spring 2020 Groups and Private Sessions are booking NOW! Please contact us for more information. **ESA funds are accepted for services in this program!
Testimonial from Cathy, 1/13/2020
From the very first time we were introduced to TRAK the staff and the animals it has truly been an amazing journey. Watching my daughter learn, grow and become so passionate about animals especially the horses has been a transformation like no other.
Olivia started with the Equine Therapy group and it's been such a positive experience .Chelsea (Rachel from Intermountain) and staff and volunteers have been amazing role models of hard work, dedication and caring for others and animals.
When Olivia started at TRAK she had nothing she was passionate about her grades were OK but her attitude was terrible. After going thru the Equine Therapy group Olivia signed up for volunteering, we became members and she fell in love with the TRAK horses. She fell so in love she wanted to take riding lessons .
She has been taking lessons for around 9 months (she took time off during the summer it was just too hot) with the most Amazing young lady Michaela. She is the most patient, and sweet person with such a positive influence for Olivia.
I love that they teach the riders the hard parts of riding a horse, brushing, cleaning the hooves, carrying the saddles etc. It's hard, dirty amazing work. It has taught Olivia so much and it has taken her out of her playing on her tablet rut. She's in the fresh air working hard for her goals to be a Barrel Racer and Pole bender and to own several of her own horses.
Anyone who has known Olivia prior to TRAK and now cannot believe the positive changes in her. From OK grades to Honor Roll 5 times since she started TRAK. She's gone from bad attitude about being on her tablet playing games to hours of crafting horse blankets, halters and bridles for her many collectable horses.
She has even managed to incorporate horses into her Science Fair project and her Worlds Event Report.
TRAK teaches empathy, kindness, working hard makes you feel good about yourself. Working with animals is such a positive calming experience and at the end of the day they just make you happy.
I encourage everyone to come to TRAK, get a membership and spend some time petting these fabulous furry friends.
From the very first time we were introduced to TRAK the staff and the animals it has truly been an amazing journey. Watching my daughter learn, grow and become so passionate about animals especially the horses has been a transformation like no other.
Olivia started with the Equine Therapy group and it's been such a positive experience .Chelsea (Rachel from Intermountain) and staff and volunteers have been amazing role models of hard work, dedication and caring for others and animals.
When Olivia started at TRAK she had nothing she was passionate about her grades were OK but her attitude was terrible. After going thru the Equine Therapy group Olivia signed up for volunteering, we became members and she fell in love with the TRAK horses. She fell so in love she wanted to take riding lessons .
She has been taking lessons for around 9 months (she took time off during the summer it was just too hot) with the most Amazing young lady Michaela. She is the most patient, and sweet person with such a positive influence for Olivia.
I love that they teach the riders the hard parts of riding a horse, brushing, cleaning the hooves, carrying the saddles etc. It's hard, dirty amazing work. It has taught Olivia so much and it has taken her out of her playing on her tablet rut. She's in the fresh air working hard for her goals to be a Barrel Racer and Pole bender and to own several of her own horses.
Anyone who has known Olivia prior to TRAK and now cannot believe the positive changes in her. From OK grades to Honor Roll 5 times since she started TRAK. She's gone from bad attitude about being on her tablet playing games to hours of crafting horse blankets, halters and bridles for her many collectable horses.
She has even managed to incorporate horses into her Science Fair project and her Worlds Event Report.
TRAK teaches empathy, kindness, working hard makes you feel good about yourself. Working with animals is such a positive calming experience and at the end of the day they just make you happy.
I encourage everyone to come to TRAK, get a membership and spend some time petting these fabulous furry friends.
|
|
|
TRAK is a grateful 2019 beneficiary of Angel Charity for Children! The award will fund two staff positions in our Animal-Assisted Life Skills Program for one year. Angels do work miracles, keeping kids on TRAK! |
