Many people have a hard time understanding the struggles faced by those living with depression. ‘How hard can it be to just get up and brush your hair? You know you’ll feel better’. But the truth is there are real physical things happening that make ‘self care’ very challenging.
In this interesting article in Psychology Today, 
the discussion centers on brain dysfunction and how it can short circuit attempts to take care of yourself. The article goes on to offer some very helpful suggestions, including ‘go from inactive to active’ and ‘feed your senses,’ both of which a person engaged in Equine Assisted Therapy does!
In our program, participants first learn about horses and why they do what they do. They learn to lead, groom and interact with horses in a safe and appropriate manner. The gentle exercise of grooming a horse can be very soothing and is often a time for conversation with a Qualified Mental Health Associate about how things are going.
Additionally, our ranch is located in a beautiful rural area (just 20 min south of Reno and 10 min north of Carson) giving our clients time
outside and away from what they usually experience. Bird song and the smell of horses…the feel of a living breathing creature responding to you can be so enriching!
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression (or any other mental health issue) and would like to integrate equine therapy into your treatment plan, give us a call or send us an email and we will share with you the steps needed to make this happen. We can schedule a visit for you to tour the ranch, meet the horses and learn more about how we may be able to help.