Youth Programs

Berkshire HorseWorks’ Life Skills program utilizes Eagala Model Equine Assisted Learning practiced in 50 countries by over 4,500 professionals to increase self-confidence, foster creative thinking, encourage problem-solving, nurture empowerment, explore effective communication, enhance time management techniques, develop healthy boundaries, strengthen self-care skills, cultivate mutual respect, and provide a safe environment to have fun and build friendships.

This eight week program decreases academic truancy, teen pregnancy, and juvenile delinquency and provides students of all ages tools to work through any obstacle that presents itself as well as to cultivate social skills, thereby thriving in school, at home and in the community. The time spent with the horses in the arena can be either a standalone program or a complement to an existing Life Skills initiative in the district.

The designated group will meet each week for 90 minutes. During these sessions, activities are constructed which support program goals and incorporate processing, and when appropriate, journaling, art and music. Rooted in evidence-based practices, this experiential modality has been found to be effective and incorporates metaphorical learning. The key goals of the program are: to develop and explore emotional self-awareness through the use of perception; to identify how problems are viewed and what strengths can be utilized to overcome challenges; to look at differences and how to create tolerance in our lives; and finally to explore observations and perceptions and how they affect group dynamics.

In Massachusetts alone, 14.6% of children are bullied, with 23.8% happening in classrooms.

What if we told you there was a way to stop this in your own backyard? Berkshire HorseWorks, a local 501(C)3, offers two equine assisted anti-bullying options.

Option 1: Eight-Week Bully Prevention/Intervention Program
 

Berkshire HorseWorks’ eight-week Bully Prevention / Intervention Program utilizes Eagala Model Equine Assisted Learning to increase a child’s self-confidence, nurture empowerment through appropriate conflict-resolution, explore assertive communication, develop anger management skills, and provide a safe environment to have fun and strengthen self-care skills. The key goals of the program are to develop and explore emotional self-awareness through the use of perception, identify how problems are viewed and what strengths can be utilized to overcome challenges, explore control and the display of emotions to self and to others, look at differences and how to create tolerance in our lives, and finally to explore observations and perceptions and how they affect group dynamics.

The students who will be served have a range of mental and behavioral challenges including ADHD, autism, sexual abuse, setting healthy boundaries, effective communication, anger management, addiction, learning disorders, trauma, domestic violence, and depression.

Option 2: Bully Prevention/Intervention Half -Day Workshop
 

Equine assisted anti-bullying campaign for community school children grades K – 8. The program will work with children through ground-based metaphorical and role-playing activities to face the real-time impacts of bullying in a fun and safe environment. Through time-tested experiential learning techniques and hands on work with horses, the program will create awareness, boost confidence and nurture empowerment.

Berkshire HorseWorks’ eight week Sister Sense program utilizes Eagala Model Equine Assisted Learning /Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to provide a support group for women facing change who are looking to open up new possibilities in their lives with a fresh perspective. It is designed to help women become more self-aware while making empowered choices. Participants will explore important skills such as asserting healthy boundaries, managing obstacles, challenges and distractions, and developing positive body image. Issues such as anxiety, depression, codependency, grief and anger are addressed and positively transformed into strengths.  Sessions are designed to foster self-reflection and target key strengths including leadership, independence, confidence, and perseverance. Although the program has Equine Assisted Learning activities at its core, it also integrates guided hikes, self-esteem workshops with life coaches, vision boarding, and campfire journaling.

Women bring their goals and challenges to the arena, where they:

• Find a safe environment to feel respected by others
• Gain a new sense of self-worth
• Find a balance between assertiveness and femininity
• Rediscover purpose in life’s path
• Cultivate mindfulness
• Challenge preconceived roles
• Overcome self-criticism
• Redirect energy to positive channels
• Expunge intimidation
• Build friendships

Designed to address the main challenges and commensurate issues associated with those on the autism spectrum or with varying diagnoses. Provides a safe environment to explore, question, and realize one’s entire being instead of focusing on potential restrictions. Often used as an adjunct to or replacement for talk therapy 

To explore issues and strengths around the LGBTIQA+