My guess is, that when most people think of ‘depression,’ they think of overwhelming sadness and perhaps grief, but this is not how everyone with dealing with depression feels. For many people it is an inner deadness to all feelings. No joy. No sorrow. Nothing. Like trying to experience life 
while wrapped in bubble wrap.
In a PsychCentrals blog on this topic, Counseling psychologist Rosy 
Saenz-Sierzega, Ph.D states that some clients report terrifying feelings of isolation while others refer to feeling like they have an ’emotional hangover’.
The blog article is informative, talking about where these feelings of ‘numbness’ may be coming from, and 
suggesting several strategies for self-help.
Several things on the suggestions list can be implemented and 
even amplified through work with horses. We often check in with our clients about how they are feeling. We find that even if a client starts their session ‘not feeling it’ by the end of the session they report that they are feeling better ‘Sammy makes me happy!’ We talk about feelings, working on a variety of 
ways to express how something feels. Maybe grooming a horse makes a client feel ‘soft and warm,’ while asking for the trot makes a client feel ‘tingly’. And best of all, spending time with horses is VERY nurturing!
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, there is help available. Work with horses can be an powerful part of a treatment plan. Call or email and we will schedule a visit to the ranch. We’ll show you around, introduce our wonderful horses, learn more about what you are dealing with and share how we may be able to help.
Anxiety can cascade into so many different areas of someone’s life. Yes, people may feel anxious about all kinds of things and this anxiety may keep them from doing things, even things that they may enjoy. But it can be even more complicated. When someone stops doing the things they usually do, they may also cut themselves off from friends and family. This can cause the person who is struggling to feel like they are letting others down and even lead to the added burden of depression.
The person struggling is not unaware of their behavior and can end up feeling like they are a ‘bad friend’. She invited people who follow her blog to share their experiences and stresses that ‘True Friends’ will understand and stick with you.
in this area. She fears the rejection that may result from her lack of engagement, so at times she is the ‘first mover,’ pushing away family and friends. This makes her feel sad and more and more isolated. We are working on her being more open and honest about what she is feeling, especially when it comes to her family. She is reminded that she would not lash out at her horse ‘You wouldn’t treat Sammy that way’ even
if she was feeling anxious about something. She is learning and practicing self-soothing/calming skills that she can use when she does feel anxious. She is a very sensitive young lady and we will continue, with the help of her horse, Sammy, who she adores, to work through this.
It is a wonderful thing that we now have so many great interventions for kids on the spectrum. We have learned a lot and now at a very early age, kids on the autism spectrum are receiving lots of services that can help them move towards integration into more neuro-typical situations.
more acceptance and accommodations being made that allow kids and teens on the spectrum to be successful. Even some colleges are now offering special programs so that people facing challenges can continue higher level education.
still really struggling to figure out where they will fit in. This 
part of the world around them have options! There are some and I encourage you to check out what your community has to offer and share it here in the comments section. I am proud to say that locally, 
Yes, Nevada Equine Assisted Therapy works with children as young as 4, teens and even adults on the autism spectrum. Through work with horses, we build social cue awareness, self-soothing/calming skill and increase self confidence (among other things!) All skills that will help them throughout their lives. We are here to be a part of a 
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is complicated. Because it is a spectrum, you have both low functioning, perhaps non-verbal people and then you have those who may just seem ‘quirky’. They don’t always fit in and are usually (but not always) socially awkward. However, it gets 
even more challenging when you add a mental health issue, such as ADHD.
According to Paul H. Lipkin, director of Medical Informatics and the Interactive Autism Network at Kennedy Krieger Institute, “The takeaway from the study’s findings, and one that both parents of children with ASD and doctors need to keep in mind, is that managing these psychiatric disorders is a dual effort. That by working closely together in monitoring a child for anxiety and mood symptoms, we can ensure early diagnosis and treatment, which is key to preserving a child’s quality of life.”
With ASD we may work on building confidence, reading social cues and engaging appropriately with peers and adults. With ADHD we probably will be working on increasing focus and decreasing impulsive behaviors. With a mood disorder we again 
are looking at building confidence, but also on being able to express feelings in an open and appropriate way and on learning and utilizing self-soothing and calming skills.
who is struggling, seek help. We are here to help. Call or email us and we can schedule a visit to the ranch. We will introduce our wonderful herd, learn more about what you are dealing with and share how we may be able to help.
and learn to set safe personal boundaries (among other things!)
show you around the ranch, introduce our wonderful herd of horse, learn more about what you are dealing with and share how we may be able to help.
It is very rewarding when new research supports what we know. Working with horses can have a powerful positive impact on the lives of those struggling with PTSD.
“After three weekly riding sessions, 32 participating veterans lowered their scores for symptoms of the disorder” and “…after six weeks, participants experienced a clinically significant reduction in their symptom scores. In other words, they were capable of doing things – such as going to a 
supermarket – that they might have been unable to do when they started the program.”
can truly make a difference. That’s why we continue to be committed to creating a program specifically for local Vets and their families. Through the years we have made several contacts with the VA and various local Vet’s organizations, but sadly have had very little success getting anything off the ground. We know there is interest and have even met with representatives from the 
Today we are so much more aware of how we can help kids with autism lead a rich and full life. For many, early interventions lead to much higher functioning and the ability to integrate into mainstream situations. Additionally, most neuro-typical people are more aware of what autism is and are usually more accepting and less critical of others who may be living with this condition. This is especially true for those who are high functioning. Accommodations are made and we see more and more kids/teens reaching for their highest potential.
seem surprising to me, as with higher intelligence comes greater self-awareness, which would simply emphasize the personal challenges to be faced by someone on the spectrum. They are more aware that they are ‘different’ and that they don’t always ‘fit in’.
they do with their horse.
Psycho-Social Rehabilitation (PSR) which can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Our staff of Qualified Mental Health Associates work one-on-one with each client and the horse they have chose to work 
with. We encourage our clients to build a relationship with their ‘equine partner’. They learn about horse and herd behavior and why horses do what they do. They work on building self-confidence and leadership skills. They practices self-soothing and calming techniques, all in a non-judgmental, supportive, 
As parents we struggle. We often feel stretched beyond our abilities. We have so many demands on us and though we try to do the right thing, but so often feel that it is just not enough, especially when we are dealing with children/teens with special needs.
But what we do does matter. KDRV.COM shares some results of a 
work to help kids/teens with whatever issues they are dealing with, but we offer support and strategies to help parents as well. Sometimes that just means being heard. At the start of each session we check in to find out how the past week has gone. We celebrate with you when things have gone well and commiserate when things have been tough, offering not only words of encouragement, but concrete suggestions for things that may help.