By Martha Jacob

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an experiential learning approach which promotes the development of life skills, applicable to academic, personal and professional pursuits, through guided interactions, according to Sabrina Mignerey, equine assistant coordinator with Cherry Ridge Therapeutic Learning Program in Georgetown.

The Brown County based business is the recent recipient of a grant from the Brown County Mental Health and Addictions Board.

“We are very excited to be receiving this special grant,” Mignerey said. Sherry Mitchell is the owner/operator of Cherry Ridge Therapeutic Learning Programs.

“Cherry Ridge has a multitude of different programs they offer, including ‘Outdoor Classroom’ programs, ‘Therapeutic Riding,’ Equine Assisted Learning,’ and it partners with the WEST Program at Western Brown School. There is also a program called ‘Dances With Nature,” Mignerey said.

According to Mignerey, the $5,000 mini-grant will be used for the Equine Assisted Learning program to benefit the residents of Brown County. This grant was newly established for the purpose of expanding the EAL.

“EAL is a mix between a lot of things,” Mignerey said. “What happens is participants are learning about themselves, their own dynamics, kind of what they bring to the table. So they are learning about themselves through guided interactions with a horse.

“Horses are the most authentic creatures ever created. They are made to reflect our emotions because their survival depends on it. They always have to be highly alert.

Mignerey said that horses can represent certain challenges that mirror challenges that someone might be facing in ;real life,’ such as personal space, trust, fear, confidence and more.

“I also do equine assisted counseling as well, and we’ve been looking for a combination of mental health and education. A program that would help young people and adults come out to the farm and learn about themselves while using a horse through Equine Assisted Living.”

Mignerey explained that the grand funds will help with treatment for people suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and trauma.

“This is a new grant and the funds get to be used for life-changing experiences with a horse,” Mignerey. “ This will be a lime-limited grant to be used between April and the end of June this year.

“We are looking to offer this program on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and open to individuals, families, groups, whoever will benefit from it. However, is first-come-first-serve. So once these funds are exhausted, it’s over.”

There will be a pre-screening to assure staff is safe and will include a registration process even though the program is free.

Mignerey expects the grant to be able to extend to at least 45 cessions which will run about an hour to 90 minutes.

To learn more about Cherry Ridge Therapeutic Learning Programs or to participate in the spring Equine Assisted Learning program, contact Mignerey at (513) 278-3074 or (513) 377-2381.

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