• Application Form
• Daily Schedule
• Rube Woolsey Team
  Roping Clinic 2010
• Equine Facilitated Therapy program is now accepting applications for participants.

	For More Information
	Please contact the Westwind Rodeo Academy office: Phone: 1.403.653.3344 Email>>

The Westwind Academy is pleased to be offering Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) at our facility. There are a variety of programs available for different needs.

What is EFT?

Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between a registered therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals. EFT is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves, others and the world around them by participating in activities with the horses and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. This approach has been compared to other treatment interventions used by therapists, treatment facilities, and human development approaches around the world. However, EFT has the added advantage of utilizing horses, dynamic and powerful living beings that provide immediate and unbiased responses to the clients. Not all therapy programs using horses practice Equine Facilitated Therapy. Registered clinical professionals need to be involved for it to be considered a therapy. As such, the Westwind Rodeo Academy EFT program employs a registered behavioral specialist.

The focus of EFT is not riding nor horsemanship, but involves setting up ground activities involving the horses, which will require the client or group to apply certain skills. These include non-verbal communication identification, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem solving. Leadership, work ethic, taking responsibility, teamwork, confidence, and attitude are also examples of the tools utilized and developed by EFT. EFT is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, couples, families, groups and corporate teams. EFT addresses a variety of mental health and human development issues including behavioral challenges, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression and anxiety as well as relationship and boundary issues. To enroll in our EFT program please contact our office at 403-653-3344 for more information.

EAGALA Trainer Patti Mandrel, M.Ed., LPC, EAPIII, offering the Westwind Rodeo Academy equine facilitators "Hercules and Paint" a refresher course of their role in helping the clients. Patty recently conducted an EAGALA Part 1 Seminar for the Westwind Rodeo Academy EFT Division.