Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy uses horses as a tool for 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.

Desert Dove Farm accomplishes goals by promoting a team approach of a State Licensed Therapist, a Horse Specialist and horses working closely together during sessions. This form of therapy is a powerful way for participants to realize their full potential and make positive life choices.

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, poor communication skills or parents and caregivers who need assistance with managing the behavior of their youth. This format allows the entire family to work through challenges together and achieve growth together.

These groups offer unique primary and secondary prevention for mothers (or fathers) and their youth who have been living a lifestyle where domestic violence has been the standard. Our focus is 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.