JD, that sounds incredible - I've never heard of this before, but wow!

I think it is sooooo cool that you kept on looking for somewhere after that really tough experience with the first place you tried. It sounds like they didn't handle it well, but I have to say too that I'm glad you are not involved with a place that is in any way connected to something so painful for you. This place you're working with now sounds just amazing. Tell us more!

janedoe

I read your post with a huge smile on my face (once I'd got past the bit of you being refused at the first centre that is). Wow! It sounds an amazing place and equally amazing therapy. We have so much to learn from nature and they can allow a safety and vulnerabilty that is hard to see in fellow humans sometimes.

Well done for perservering with it - do tell us more if you can.

starfish

I have an alpaca farm. Herd of 25 right now.
Sometimes I'm just too tired to spend as much time with them as I'd like. But there is nothing more therapeutic than burying my nose in their wonderful soft fleece and breathing in their breath. They have kept me sane!
I much prefer animals to people. They are wonderful, magic, intelligent creatures. I sometimes feel like I'm immersed in a herd of unicorns. They are healing, and rally around me when I'm down.

I love alpacas! Do you sell their fleeces? (oops mustn't mention fleeces to certain people !) I would imagine they smell wonderful. I only have a dog, totally bonkers, but always knows when things are tough and won't leave my side. Have told her all sorts of things, so great to offload to cos I know it's safe with her!

starfish

Oh, that's so fantastic, Janedoe. I've ridden horses my whole life, but I don't have my horse with me now because of school, finances and other situations. It really is so therapeutic, and I miss riding so much. My horse is leased out to someone for now, and I have trouble even seeing pictures of him because it hurts so much! What I love about being around my horse is that I don't have to be anything I'm not. My horse and I figure things out together, and when things click, it's an amazing feeling. I love the bond that my horse and I have, especially considering how sweet he is. I just love being around him and being in the barn atmosphere. It's like nothing else in this world.

Phew. Honestly, I can't write anything else about it, because I don't want to start missing my horse more than I already am. That's so incredible that you've found such a therapeutic outlet. I would love to hear more about your experience with it. I'm majoring in psychology, and I never really considered going into clinical work, but equine therapy is the one thing that has kept me from deciding completely against it.