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About UsHeart 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 at the picturesque Sunset Ranch on the North Shore of Oahu. 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.
At Heart Horses we strongly believe that our training, experience, and a strict Code of Ethics will allow us to provide our clients with a safe, powerful, and enjoyable experience with our horses. |
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
Executive Director
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Sonja Bigalke-Bannan, MSW, LSW
EAGALA Certified Mental Health & Equine specialist, PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, OK Corral Certified EAP/EAL |
Therapeutic Riding Staff
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Lindsay Schuldt
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EAP/EAL staff
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Sarah Bonham, BA, MSW candidate
EAGALA certified Mental Health & Equine Specialist |
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Bonnie Cordeiro, MS, CSAC
EAGALA certified Mental Health & Equine Specialist |
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Carina Cooper, BS
EAGALA certified Equine specialist |
