Welcome to Equine Encounters
About Equine Encounters
Our Story
With their combined decades of working in a variety of mental health & educational settings, Claudine Drefs, Registered Nurse and University Educator & Linda Harrison-Fabing, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, bring forth their vision;
To provide the opportunity for people to experience the transformative growth & change that is possible through connection with horses.
As certified Equine Assisted Learning & Development Coaches, with EAL Canada, they offer individual coaching sessions as well as group programs. Whether you want to find some peace & decompress in the mindful presence of horses, gain personal insight, or move forward in life, Equine Encounters will assist you in your journey.
FAQ
What is Equine Assisted Learning? Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is a facilitator-guided, experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills for personal, educational, or professional growth through the engagement of the person, or group of people, in activities with equine partners. The process includes engagement, reflection, processing & generalization of what has occurred. In more general terms, the horse & person connect through use of a variety of activities or situations as set up by the facilitator. Thoughts, feelings, behavior patterns, areas that need addressing, etc are identified by the facilitator & participant as the participant & horse connect. Horses have the innate ability to sense our moods, stress levels, hesitations, patience or impatience, weaknesses, hurts, anxieties, joys etc. Because horses are highly social animals & are able to communicate emotions & feel empathy, people are able to relate to them. They provide immediate feedback through their body language as to what they are sensing. It is through the watchful eye of the trained facilitator that these areas can be brought to light for the participant to become aware of & address.
What can EAL help with? Stress-reduction techniques, problem identification & solving, mindfulness, self-esteem, confidence, leadership, group dynamics, relationships, communication, mind-body connection, grief, patience, trust, grounding, connection, emotional regulation, boundaries & coping, plus much more.
Who can EAL benefit? People of all ages and stages & all walks of life. EAL is for everyone!
Do you have to know how to ride a horse? No. All activities are ground-based.
Do you have to have experience with horses? Absolutely not! That’s why each session is designed and facilitated by an EAL Canada coach.
Is there evidence that this works? Yes! Please refer to the articles attached for some fascinating & enlightening studies & personal accounts:
-Horses, Mindfulness and the Natural Environment: Observations from a Qualitative Study with At-Risk Young People Participating in Therapeutic Horsemanship https://bit.ly/3z0f9Wy
-Does Equine Assisted Learning Create Emotionally Safe Learning Environments for At-Risk Youth? https://bit.ly/38YnM9n
- Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Current State, Challenges and Future Directions https://bit.ly/3yY8xbp
Services
Equine Assisted Personal Development
We provide personal development coaching & special events for individuals & groups of all ages. Contact us for more information or to schedule a meet & greet with our team.
Contact us for more info:
Spring 2024 Program Schedule!
** All programs running out of the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre,
12504 Fox Drive, Edmonton Alberta**
Taming Anxiety for Teens
6-Week Group for Youth ages: 13-17yrs
Spring: Saturdays 12:30-2:00 pm, May 11th-June 22nd, 2024 (no group June 1st)
A 6-week program designed specifically for youth who struggle with anxiety and worry. Participants will learn & practice skills to better manage anxiety and emotions, build confidence and enhance overall well-being and resilience through facilitated interactions with our horses.
Each session is 1.5 hrs.
Cost: $465
*Fall Group dates TBD
*New* Taming Anxiety for Adults
4-week Group for Adults
Fridays 6-7:30 pm, June 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
A 4-week program geared to adults who struggle with anxiety and worry. Evidenced-based methods for managing anxiety facilitated through Equine connection.
Each session is 1.5 hrs
Cost: $450
Coming this summer!
Hearts, Minds & Manes
Women's Weekend Retreat!
Day 1: Saturday August 24th from 9am-12noon
Day 2: Sunday August 25th from 9am-1pm (includes a lovely lunch)
7 hours over 2 days...just for you!
Get inspired, relax & restore through ground-based (no riding) interactive activities with the horses, gentle yoga, a hike in the river valley & so much more! Join us for an unforgettable experience as you prepare to head into the Fall.
*no horse experience necessary
Cost: $350
INDIVIDUAL PERSONALIZED SESSIONS - by appointment
Your own dedicated time with an equine partner and facilitator looking at whatever is identified as a priority to you...dealing with anxiety, feeling unsettled and overwhelmed, stress, grief, burnout, past events, coping strategies, building confidence, mindfulness, how to move forward, building on personal strengths etc. A quiet, non-judgmental, kind and caring space to be still, just a place to be...
Cost: $100/session
Pre-pay for 3 sessions and pay $275
7-week Grief Recovery Program
Action & evidenced-based program to help you move through the pain of loss of any kind
Want to learn more or have some questions?
Stop-in Info Sessions (no cost):
Adult Taming Anxiety Group: Friday May 24th 6:00pm-7:00pm
Teen Taming Anxiety Group: Saturday April 27th 11:30am-12:30pm
*Stop in to meet the Equine Encounters team!
Claudine, Linda & some of our equine partners on site to answer any questions about upcoming programs*
Contact us for more details & to secure a spot in any of our programs or events!
All Programs running out of: Whitemud Equine Learning Centre. 12504 Fox Dr NW, Edmonton, AB
Equineencountersinfo@gmail.com
Special Event Ideas
- Painting with Ponies
- Wellness Day
- Parent & Child Connection Session
- Date Night / Afternoon Connection Session
- Ladies Night / Afternoon with Friends
- Family Night
- Work Team Building Session
...the options are endless...
.
Questions about the services we provide or have an idea for a group? Feel free to email us today!
Spring 2024 Program Schedule!
** All programs running out of the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre,
12504 Fox Drive, Edmonton Alberta**
Taming Anxiety for Teens
6-Week Group for Youth ages: 13-17yrs
Spring: Saturdays 12:30-2:00 pm, May 11th-June 22nd, 2024 (no group June 1st)
A 6-week program designed specifically for youth who struggle with anxiety and worry. Participants will learn & practice skills to better manage anxiety and emotions, build confidence and enhance overall well-being and resilience through facilitated interactions with our horses.
Each session is 1.5 hrs.
Cost: $465
*Fall Group dates TBD
*New* Taming Anxiety for Adults
4-week Group for Adults
Fridays 6-7:30 pm, June 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
A 4-week program geared to adults who struggle with anxiety and worry. Evidenced-based methods for managing anxiety facilitated through Equine connection.
Each session is 1.5 hrs
Cost: $450
Hearts Minds & Manes
Women's Weekend Retreat
Day 1: Saturday August 24th from 9am-12 noon
Day 2: Sunday August 25th from 9am-1pm (Includes a lovely lunch)
7 hours over 2 days...just for you!
A time to get inspired, relax & restore through ground-based (no riding) interactive activities with the horses, gentle yoga, a hike in the river valley & so much more! Join us for an unforgettable experience as you prepare to head into the Fall.
*no horse experience necessary
Cost: $350
INDIVIDUAL PERSONALIZED SESSIONS - by appointment
Your own dedicated time with an equine partner and facilitator looking at whatever is identified as a priority to you...dealing with anxiety, feeling unsettled and overwhelmed, stress, grief, burnout, past events, coping strategies, building confidence, mindfulness, how to move forward, building on personal strengths etc. A quiet, non-judgmental, kind and caring space to be still, just a place to be...
Cost: $100/session
Pre-pay for 3 sessions and pay $275
7-week Grief Recovery Program
Action & evidenced-based program to help you move through the pain of loss of any kind.
Want to learn more or have some questions?
Feel free to reach out, we're happy to provide more info!
Stop-in Info Sessions (no cost):
Adult Taming Anxiety Group: Friday May 24th 6:00pm-7:00pm
Teen Taming Anxiety Group: Saturday April 27th 11:30am-12:30pm
*Stop in to meet the Equine Encounters team!
Claudine, Linda & some of our equine partners on site to answer any questions about upcoming programs*
Contact us for more details & to secure a spot in any of our programs or events!
All Programs running out of: Whitemud Equine Learning Centre. 12504 Fox Dr NW, Edmonton, AB
Equineencountersinfo@gmail.com
Special Event Ideas
- Painting with Ponies
- Wellness Day
- Parent & Child Connection Session
- Date Night / Afternoon Connection Session
- Ladies Night / Afternoon with Friends
- Family Night
- Work Team Building Session
...the options are endless...
.
Questions about the services we provide or have an idea for a group? Feel free to email us today!
