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Students Find Peace Through Horses
Called the “holy dog,” in the Dakota language, horses have always held a special place in Native American culture, and now they are making a difference for Shakopee students. Thanks to a donation from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, students from Tokata Learning Center are getting the opportunity to participate in Equine Therapy Growth and Learning at Big Wolf Equine Center.
The group uses the EAGALA Model of therapy. It’s a hands-on approach that gives students the space to understand their life situations and make meaningful connections. “When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center,” said Dee Buros, Indian Education Coordinator. “This creates the space for the client, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.”
During the six-session program, students set goals and do activities with the horses. The connections and metaphors with their lives are created by watching and discussing the response from the horse and the student. In its first year, the program has been a great success with graduates overwhelmingly interested in joining the program again.
“It's hard to ignore a horse with their size and presence,” said Buros. “Approaching horses helps students reflect how we approach our relationships and how we can face other big or overwhelming things in our lives. By working as a team with the horses, students begin to notice their individual strengths in problem-solving and overcoming challenges in school and in life.”
You can learn more about the training method used by visiting www.eagala.com