Equine Assisted Activities Coalition

The experience of a single threatening situation may alter an individual's behavior in a long-lasting way. Such long-term changes seem to be mediated by neuronal alterations in components of the fear pathway. They are unable to "take in" positive lessons, which creates a "failure syndrome".

Testimonials

My name is Emma, I'm 17 years old. At the age of 8 I was diagnosed with ADHD and was starting to feel depressed. When I turned 12 I was experiencing depression and anxiety most of the time and I no longer enjoyed the things I once loved. As the years past, even after participating in numerous talk therapy sessions, anxiety took over and school become a major issue for me. By the time I became a freshman in high school bullying became a constant threat causing me even more anxiety making it extremely difficult for me to focus in class and some days even go to school. Unfortunately, this continued into my sophomore year and by midway through I was having suicidal thoughts and ideations. I was hospitalized for 8 days to get help and 3 days after discharge went back to hospital on a M1 --------------- hold for 72 hours. Upon returning home I started an online school program.

Things were going ok for about 10 months until I fell back into depression, the medications I was prescribed after my hospital stay was no longer working as they once did. I was again suicidal and attempted to hurt myself. I was sent to another hospital for six days.

Prior to this last episode Grandma and I agreed that she should donate her horse (Dolly) to Horseback Miracles. I loved Dolly, but new that would be the best. Any way, making a long story short, when I returned home from the hospital I wanted to visit Dolly and Horseback Miracles. After saying hello to Dolly, Mr. Draper put me on Bingo and we did a session. After only one session, I felt a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Mom has a good way of describing my reaction to the session and as a family we decided to continue with the program. After 10 sessions I feel more confident than ever before and feel more comfortable about talking when something is not good instead of isolating myself as I had always done in order to try to cope with may struggles. Horseback Miracles has truly helped me in coming to a positive place in my life, I'm motivated, confident, able to cope better, and my outlook on having a great life is so strong. Thank you BINGO !!!

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