CSU EAAT Club

Looking for something fun and rewarding to do this summer? Look no further, become a volunteer today!

We have opportunities for side walking, horse leading, and general barn help!

Sign up for a training using the following link: https://forms.gle/QYUcArG3tnRXUeccA

Any questions, contact us at [email protected]

Temple Grandin Equine Center
CSU Equine Sciences
Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University
CSU Human Development & Family Studies
Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences
CSU Department of Animal Sciences
CSU Rehabilitation Therapy Club
CSU EAAT Club

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center - Tuesday, April 18 6pm MST

Join us to hear from Michele Bruhn, the Executive Director at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center in Longmont, CO! The CTRC is a truly impressive organization, with over 40 years in the industry and managing to serve almost 500 riders. We're excited to hear from this team, and hope all of our members can learn something new!

To learn more about the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, visit their website here - https://www.ctrcinc.org/

To join us from this Zoom meeting, use the link below:
Alexis Demers is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Michele Bruhn - EAAT Club Meeting
Time: Apr 18, 2023 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82397689567?pwd=NmJ3M1lTakFZUE9ZV1JkaWk2eXM3dz09
Meeting ID: 823 9768 9567
Passcode: Bp3yh8

Horses with Heart - Tuesday, April 4 6pm MST

Join us to hear from Angelique LeVell, the Executive Director at Horses with Heart in Chino Valley, AZ! Horses with Heart is an amazing therapeutic riding program, with Premier Center Accreditation from PATH, and we can't wait for you all to get to know more about them.

To learn more about Horses with Heart's program, visit their website here - https://horseswithheartaz.org/

To join this meeting, follow the Zoom link below:
Alexis Demers is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Horses with Heart - EAAT Club Meeting
Time: Apr 4, 2023 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82574126242?pwd=STdmNjB6ZkNYY0R4U3lBY2xGVUY4UT09
Meeting ID: 825 7412 6242
Passcode: PbfRs6

Laughing Buck Farms Guest Speaker - Tuesday, March 28 6pm-7pm MST

Join us to hear from Rachel, the Barn Manager and one of the teachers at Laughing Buck Farm in Fort Collins, CO! Rachel is a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and has over 20 years of experience in the equine assisted services industry.

To learn more about Laughing Buck Farms approach to learning, visit their website here - https://www.laughingbuckfarm.com/

To join this meeting, follow the Zoom link below:
Alexis Demers is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Laughing Buck Farm - EAAT Club Meeting
Time: Mar 28, 2023 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88059591467?pwd=NHR6MVBPTEdoTEZXV0dQZWFUS0ZqQT09
Meeting ID: 880 5959 1467
Passcode: 6JmVG0

MEETING TOMORROW - Tuesday, March 21 at 6pm MST

We hope to see you all at tomorrow's meeting, featuring guest speaker Nina Ekholm Fry from the University of Denver! Nina has quite an impressive history with equine assisted services and equine welfare. Nina currently serves as the Director of Equine Programs at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection as well as a faculty member at DU, including leading the Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certificate program. Nina is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a PATH certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. To learn more about her extensive resume, you can view her faculty profile here - https://socialwork.du.edu/about/gssw-directory/nina-ekholm-fry

Nina has offered to answer any and all questions you may have about equine interactions in psychotherapy/education services/adaptive riding, so if you bring questions, she'll provide plenty of answers and resources! Some of you in the Equine Science program may recognize Nina from being a staple guest lecturer in Sarah Matlock's Equine Behavior course. If you enjoyed her talk in Matlock's class, this is the perfect opportunity to hear more.

To join this meeting, use the Zoom link below tomorrow at 6pm MST. See you there!
Alexis Demers is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Nina Ekholm Fry - EAAT Club Meeting
Time: Mar 21, 2023 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/85191271552?pwd=dXYvcDk5dUFub0svck1zYlVJVnJrdz09
Meeting ID: 851 9127 1552
Passcode: p8er9c

Hi y'all This is the first in our series of posts talking about our guest speakers. Our first guest speaker was Chloe from Heroes and Horses, an organization based in Montana aiming to help combat veterans. This Zoom meeting was recorded, so if you would like access to it please reach out to our Email!

Heroes and Horses was started by Micah Fink, a former Navy Seal, as an alternative solution aiming to reduce veteran su***de. Most of the veterans that join their program had combat experience, and have tried more traditional methods to reacclimating to civilian life. Although this organization does not use equine assisted services and equine psychotherapy in a way that we are used to seeing, their positive impact on veterans is clear. Visit their website and social media to learn more about their program and participants, and feel free to support their mission through donation or buying some merchandise!

https://www.heroesandhorses.org/

Happy February, Rams! The officer team is excited to announce that we officially have a new meeting location and time for Spring 2023.

Meetings will be every Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm in the Lory Student Center. Rooms vary, so please pay close attention to the list above!

This is a major change for the club that was made after several requests were made by members to move meetings on-campus rather than at the Foothills Campus and at a more agreeable time.

Please note that there will be NO meetings on February 14, March 14, or April 11.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the officer team as soon as possible, and we hope to see you all Tuesday!

What are our goals as a club?

It’s no secret that the past couple of years have been rough for student organizations. This fall we’re hoping that we’ll finally be running at pre-pandemic levels, meaning all in-person events, facility tours, guest speakers, volunteer opportunities, and social outings.

Weekly meetings will include either a guest speaker or guided group discussion. Facility tours will occur at various equine assisted services facilities in the Northern Colorado area, but guest speakers could be from all over the state and country. Volunteer and internship opportunities with My Heroes and FREE will be available, and social outings can include group study sessions, potlucks, movie nights, and more.

If you have any questions about club activities or if this club could be a good fit for you, message us here or at [email protected]

📸: Temple Grandin Equine Center

Who might be interested in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies?

The EAAT Club is open to all students at CSU, regardless of major or pre-professional path.

Students who are in the equine science, business, health and exercise science, psychology, or social work majors might consider exploring the opportunities the club could offer them to broaden their undergraduate involvement and explore a part of their future work field they might not know much about.

Students on pre-health professional tracks (physical/occupational/speech/psycho therapy) could benefit from exploring a way to use their future therapeutic skills, as well as gaining connections within the industry.

📸: Temple Grandin Equine Center

So what is Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies?

According to the PATH International Glossary, Equine Assisted Therapy is, “therapy is provided by licensed medical or behavioral professionals working within their scope of practice in counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy, recreational therapy, and speech language pathology. The therapist determines how equine interactions, movements or aspects of the equine environment may enhance the client’s individualized treatment plan with the goals of improving the client’s sensorimotor, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or psychological function for improved health and wellness. Best practice dictates the therapy professionals obtain specialized training focused on the safe inclusion of horses in treatment.”

Equine Assisted Activities or Equine Assisted Services refers to a variety of services that are provided by professionals (both equine and human health) to use horses to benefit people, usually in a therapeutic context.

* Note that the language in this field is always evolving, and the industry is moving towards using the term Equine Assisted Services instead of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies *

📸: Temple Grandin Equine Center

To wrap up officer introductions, Lindsey and I are happy to introduce you all to Dr. Sharon Butler, the EAAT Club Advisor:

Dr. Butler grew up in northern Virginia, and completed both her Bachelor’s and Doctorate at CSU. She worked as a veterinarian at a private practice for several years before deciding to become a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.)

Dr. Butler was the Head Instructor and Program Director for Front Range Exceptional Equestrians (FREE) for over a decade, and now serves as chair of the Standards Task Force for PATH Intl. She returned to CSU as a faculty member in 2005, and now serves as the Coordinator for Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies while also teaching three courses related to EAS (ANEQ 351, 365, & 486). She even owns a retired therapeutic riding horse that she spends her free time with!

Dr. Butler is a very busy person, but she’s looking forward to the chance to meet you all this fall. Stay tuned for upcoming posts that will include our meeting schedule and plans for this year!