EMERALD M THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER

Hope   |   Renewal   |   Growth

Powerful Equine Assisted Self Exploration

P.E.A.S.E.

The P.E.A.S.E. program includes a team approach made up of a behavioral specialist and/or equine specialist, horse, and participant.  The program is designed to enhance the social and educational skills for children and adults with physical, social, emotional, and/or learning deficits through the use of equine facilitated learning and metaphorical experiences with the horse.  The horse helps to teach body awareness, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and self discovery.

Starfish Foster Program

According to My Florida Families as of July 31, 2021, there are 11,722 children in the state of Florida residing in licensed foster care.  We believe that children deserve to overcome the injustices that have occurred at the hands of adults that have failed them and grow to thrive in loving families and society. Maladaptive behaviors are developed because of a child’s exposure to unsafe and uncertain environments, and not because a child is “bad.” At Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center, we aim to do more than allow a child to visit and pet a horse. We become part of the child’s community support and a reliable, safe place where they can explore and grow. We work with caregivers to provide support, understanding, and positive informed solutions with the child’s history and best interests in mind. Currently, emerging trends involving animal-assisted therapies for mental health benefits are on the rise, and for a good reason. Research suggests stress reduction, increased social interactions, enhanced emotional regulation, reduced impulsive behaviors, and improved attention span (Shandy Clinic, 2020). The program also provides parental support and resources that will result in a more trusting parent-child relationship and a better outcome during and after the adoption process.

 The Starfish Program is our program for children that have been previously placed in the foster care system that are in route to becoming adopted or have already been adopted by new families within the last year.  Foster children have been reported to have increased adverse behaviors. These symptoms can range from nightmares, anxiety, excessive crying, sadness, disappointment, withdrawal to anti-social and physical behaviors such as hitting, screaming, kicking, and biting. Our facility and staff has the training, equipment, and safety measures that offer equine assisted activities to participants in all stages of their journeys.

Did you know?

• Horses can weight up to 2,200 pounds. Having the ability to handle and work alongside an animal so massive is guaranteed to improve your self-confidence, empowerment and trust. 

• Biologically, horses can decrease a human’s blood pressure and heart rate. As a result, humans will:

  • Feel lower levels of stress.

  • Reduce feelings of tension, anxiety, and anger.

  • Increase levels of beta-endorphins (pain suppressor).