Desert Dove Farm, Inc. Southern Arizona Leaders in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Desert Dove Farm is a 501 (c)3 charitable organization for youth located on Tucson’s east side.
In 2010 we celebrated 10 years of service in Tucson.
Therapy Horses at Work
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy uses horses to promote emotional
growth and learning.
Horses are large and powerful, which creates a natural opportunity for
youth to overcome fear and develop confidence. The size and power
of a horse is naturally intimidating to many people. Accomplishing a
task involving a horse creates confidence and provides for wonderful
metaphors when dealing with other intimidating and challenging
situations in life.
Desert Dove Farm is unique because it addresses the emotional issues of our community's youth by having them work with horses. Our program is not about riding, but instead gives youth the opportunity to experiment with ideas and questions while working through group and individual challenges we have set up for them. These challenges may include anything from simply haltering and leading a horse to asking a horse to jump over an obstacle without having any physical contact with him. Because these exercises are primarily done without any verbal communication they promote a greater awareness of non-verbal communication and relationship building skills.
Desert Dove Farm uses a solution-oriented approach that allows youth to come up with their own solutions to our challenges. We are striving to boost self-esteem and confidence by allowing youth to overcome challenges through their own solutions, not by being directed. Youth learn that the power of perseverance makes tasks that appear impossible quite possible if they stick with it, ask for help and work together.
EAGALA (www.eagala.org)
Our Program follows the ethics and guidelines of an international organization called The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). Desert Dove Farm adheres to EAGALA’s model which promotes a team approach and is 100% on the ground with the horses (no riding). The facilitating team consists of a Licensed Mental Health Professional, a Horse Specialist and horses working closely together during all sessions.
In April 2011, Desert Dove Farm became an EAGALA Distinguished Program. As of July 2011, we are only 1 of 6 programs world-wide to have received this recognition.
Youth Development/Life Skills Program
This Program offers an opportunity for youth ages 9-17 to become involved in activities that will help them improve their social, emotional and behavioral functioning. We strive to provide a positive environment that empowers youth to develop skills to give them confidence in their futures. The therapeutic team supervises and works closely with the youth while they interact with the horses and work on such issues as teamwork, frustration, perseverance, trust and respect. Youth are placed into age appropriate groups that are either all girls or all boys.
Family support groups allow our therapeutic team to reach the heart of issues that surround families who may have trust issues and poor communication skills. Parents and caregivers will receive assistance with managing the behavior of their youth. This format allows the entire family to work through challenges together and achieve growth together.
Domestic violence recovery groups offer unique opportunities for caregivers and their youth who have a history of living a lifestyle where domestic violence has been the standard. Our focus is the development of emotional issues including respect, assertiveness and relationship skills.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions provide vast opportunities for metaphorical learning and are appropriate for all populations with a variety of backgrounds. Please contact our office if you are interested in sessions but do not feel you fit into one of the above categories.
