EAGALA Information

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EAGALA News -

EAGALA's 10th Annual Conference March 11-14, 2009
(NOTES FROM READING EAGALA's Conference in North Carolina)

This is an educational and networking event for individuals working in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning.


Who will benefit?
a. It's for everyone who is interested in the approach to mental health treatment and human development. In addition, who is interested in how horses can be utilized in a creative, unique and other life-changing experience.

The conference is for:
b. Counselors, psychologist, social workers, marriage & family therapist, addiction counselors, horse professionals and enthusiasts, correctional workers, coaches, educational consultants, employee assistance programs, residential program directors and staff, students, educators, and insurance administrators.

What is EAP and EAL?
c. For both programs, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning is to incorporate horses experientially for emotional growth and learning.
d. A collaboration effort between a licensed therapist and the horse professional and horses to address treatment or learning goals.

What is EAGALA?
e. The program was founded in 1999 as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization providing education, standards, innovation, and support to professionals providing services in EAP and EAL.
f. A hands-on training program and certification, conducts annual conferences in the U.S. and Europe, publishes a magazine, and provides other educational and promotional resources for EAP/EAL.
g. Focus on ground exercises (no riding), solution approach, mental health, equine specialist, and horse(s) working as a team in the arena with clients at all times, and EAGALA's Code of Ethics.

EAGALA also has an Ethics Committee and protocol in place to address any concerns that are reported about certified members which assists in setting a standard and excellence of quality.
h. The EAGALA model has been taught in over 30 countries to professionals seeking to do this work.

In this conference, EAGALA comes with new ideals with a program started in North Carolina, "Horse Sense of the Carolinas." With this program start-up decisions in the following areas:
a. Building the Business Systems: covering the areas of For- vs. Non-Profit.
b. Building Your Team: covering the areas of team members and horses developing a group plan for your first year as a team.
c. Building Awareness: covering the areas of Marketing and the Material needs to build awareness.
d. Building Clientele: addressing Networking, "Niche" marketing, Grants and Grantwriting.

Introduction to the EAGALA Model- by Lynn Thomas, LCSW, EAGALA Executive Director and Mark Lytle (Head, Heart, Hands & Horses, NC)
a. This presentation will introduce the EAGALA model's concepts and philosophies through conducting 3 short sessions with a "client family" throughout the day. The 1st is this slot will be giving an ideal of how to start an EAP session with a family by watching it in action. The 2nd with the same clients, showing how session progress from week to week. The 3rd with the same clients, showing how to tie in previous sessions and wrap up with some closure to the treatment process.

Understanding EAP vs. EAL in the EAGALA Model
a. The EAGALA Model can be applied to both Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning. This presentation is designed to provide the audience with an understanding on how to apply the EAGALA Model to both types of modalities, including roles and boundaries of the team and session. Similarities and differences between EAL and EAP will be demonstrated experientially.
b. One area they ("Horse Sense of the Carolinas") discussed was a partnership with addiction programming model. The discussion talked about how it began, the power of a strategic partnership, and where we are today including accomplishments, lessons learned and results from a three-year relationship.

Marketing your EAP/EAL Program
a. How to market your new EAP/EAL business on a low budget? With this workshop gives you ideas and practical examples of marketing strategies based on personal experience. This is with a small to modest size program and feels overwhelmed with the task of getting the work out in your community. The workshop helps you provide the basics.

a. EAP/EAL Activities Through the Eyes of Autism
b. Discovering Your Herd: One EAP Center's Path to a New Audience
c. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Horses and Adolescents
d. The Use of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in Behavioral Health Programs

Other areas discussed:
a. Preparing, Consuming and Digesting Research

If you're interested in going to a training, EAGALA does many of them right here in Utah.
UPCOMING EAGALA PART I TRAININGS
January 22-24 (Thurs. to Sat.) Marion, NC
February 8-10 (Sun. to Tues.) Geelong, Australia
February 26-28 (Thurs. to Sat.) Tampa, FL
March 26-28 (Thurs. to Sat.) Wichita, KS
April 15-17 (Wed. to Fri.) Placerville, CA
April 23-25 (Thurs. to Sat.) Tulsa, OK
April 30-May 2 (Thurs. to Sat.) Franklin Furnace, OH
May 7-9 (Thurs. to Sat.) Cardston, Alberta Canada
May 14-16 (Thurs. to Sat.) Marion, NC
May 14-16 (Thurs. to Sat.) Elgin, IL
June 3-5 (Wed. to Fri.) Strongsville, OH
June 11-13 (Thurs. to Sat.) Hasting, MN
June 18-20 (Thurs. to Sat.) Helena, MT
June 25-27 (Thurs. to Sat.) Lubbock, TX
June 25-27 (Thurs. to Sat.) Payson, UT
July 9-11 (Thurs. to Sat.) Howell, MI
July 16-18 (Thurs. to Sat.) Boulder, CO
July 30-August 1 (Thurs. to Sat.) Portland, ME
August 13-15 (Thurs. to Sat.) Woodslee, Ontario, Canada
August 20-22 (Thurs. to Sat.) Avenue, MD
September 10-12 (Thurs. to Sat.) Marion, NC

If you go to EAGALA.org for more information.