​
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 2025 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 May 24th-June 28th from 2:30pm-4:00pm
A 6-week program designed specifically for youth who struggle with anxiety & worry. Participants will learn & practice skills to better manage anxiety & emotions, build confidence & enhance overall well-being & resilience through facilitated interactions with horses.
Each session is 1.5 hrs.
Cost: $475 ($79/session)
Individual Personalized Sessions
Your own dedicated time with an equine partner & facilitator to identify your priorities, such as addressing anxiety, stress, grief, burnout, past events, coping strategies, building confidence, mindfulness, moving forward, building on personal strengths, clarifying goals, etc. A quiet, non-judgmental, kind & caring space to be still & present.
Cost: $125/session
or Pre-pay for your first 3 sessions & pay $330
Grief Recovery Program
A 7-week, action & evidenced-based program with a GRM(R) Certified Facilitator to help you move through the pain of loss of any kind. Each session includes guided exercises with your equine partner, workbook and journal. Contact us to learn more & book a complementary meet & greet.
*Want to learn more, or have some questions?
Contact us for more information, to arrange a complementary meet & greet with one of our facilitators or to secure a spot in any of our programs or events!
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!
.
