About Us
Heart Horses is a unique therapy program for youth, adults, families, and groups that incorporates horses for growth, learning, and healing. We offer unforgettable interactive experiences with our horses near Waialua, on the North Shore of O'ahu. Our individualized therapy programs for psychotherapy, learning, team building, and therapeutic riding are experiential, meaning that our clients will engage in activities with the horses and experience a positive change that will last.
Why Horses?
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Why are horses so effective for use in therapy? Being prey animals, their life depends on the awareness of their environment. This sensitivity to non-verbal stimuli, or “horse sense”, becomes useful to us as therapists and specialists in that it gives us valuable information about the client that we might not have learned through verbal communication. We often say that horses mirror human emotion because the non-verbal behaviors of the horse truly reflect the energy, emotion, and intent of the person. This reflection gives clients insight into their own feelings and provides awareness of patterns and behaviors that may be hindering their ability to find effective solutions
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Meet the Team
Owner
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Sonja Bigalke-Bannan, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker EMDRIA trained EMDR Therapist Certified Harm Reduction Therapist EAGALA Certified Mental Health & Equine specialist, PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, OK Corral Certified EAP/EAL |
Staff
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Patricia (Pati) Maxwell
EAGALA certified Equine Specialist |
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Sarah Bonham, MSW, LCSW
EAGALA certified Mental Health & Equine Specialist |
Fred Bannan
Facilities Manager
Facilities Manager
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Clara Watts
PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor |
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TJ Tom
MSW Field Practicum Intern |
