Therapeutics

The J. Brad Herman Equine Center at WGA is home to approximately 20 horses, all varying in different shapes, sizes, colors, ages, and breeds. The barn environment is a unique experience that remains a safe, friendly and healing space for residents. WGA Equine is operated by four staff and the Equine Director, all with previous years of experiences related to the equine industry in varying disciplines. The wide range of talent in the Center allows residents to learn an abundance of different riding disciplines, horse care management, grooming techniques, and more.

Therapeutic Recreational Riding

Recreational riding is conducted five days a week with four residents and a staff from their cottage to join them in our beautiful indoor riding ring. Residents are taught all the safety that goes into learning how to ride horses. As they progress, WGA staff expand their instruction to include more advanced maneuvers and other riding disciplines. When possible, Equine Center staff will take residents to either watch or participate in local horse shows. Trail riding is also an option. There are many trail systems on the grounds – some enabling riders to access the historical Dryden Rail Trail. Trail riding is done weather permitting and normally in the fall, spring, and a little during the summer months. 

The EAGALA Model

Founded in 1999, EAGALA stands for the Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association. It is the structure and standard for certifying Equine Specialists and Mental Health Professionals to provide Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning worldwide. There are over 4,500 members in 50 countries. The EAGALA Model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning sessions always encompass the following:

• Team Approach: A licensed Mental Health Professional and a certified Equine Specialist, along with a herd of horses, work together with participants in all sessions.
• Solution-Oriented: The EAGALA Model firmly believes that all participants can discover the best solutions for themselves when given the opportunity.
• Focused on the Ground: There is no riding or horsemanship. All activities with the horses are unmounted. Participants are given specific and deliberate activities with the horses on the ground based on the treatment goals. The interaction becomes a metaphorical learning system.
• Code of Ethics: EAGALA has a strict code of ethics that providers are bound by. Its board of ethics upholds and enforces these standards. Each team also upholds ethical standards to the state, ensuring best practices.

Equine-Assisted Learning

WGA Equine Center instructors also utilize Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) which is similar to EAP and is a ground-based therapeutic approach (no riding is involved). However, the focus is on learning or educational goals, defined by the individual or group, such as improving social skills with peers or team-building for a leadership team. Some of EAL’s many possible goals are improved non-verbal communication, social skills, creative thinking, assertiveness, responsibilities, relationship building, and problem-solving.

Vocational Training

Our vocational programs allow our residents to step into the horse world to learn all things to do with the Equine Industry. There are many job opportunities that can be found within the Equine Industry, all of which we here at WGA Equine either have the residents learn by actually participating in the act themselves or provide them opportunities to witness the jobs that the industry has to offer. We allow our vocational residents to be very hands-on with all the equines we have on campus, right down to the newborn foals, right up to our very experienced oldies. The residents also get the chance to work hand in hand with some of the leading industry jobs, such as our veterinarians and farriers. The residents learn the basics of horse barn management, horse care, horse handling, equine training, and more, all while exploring the other options our industry has.