October, 2020
NCEFT Hoof Beats Newsletter
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ONE LITTLE FLOWER'S RESILIENCE
Letter from Cherie Hammer, NCEFT Development Director
In August, my family embarked on a 2,885-mile road trip to drop my youngest off at college in Wisconsin. We purposefully took the scenic route, driving through breath-taking American grandeur: The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, the Black Hills and the Badlands, as well as taking in head-scratching American kitsch: Wall Drug, the Corn Palace, and the Jolly Green Giant statue. What a country!
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Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park |
Day 5 of the trip found us at Yellowstone’s Mammoth Hot Springs. Walking the boardwalk through the otherworldly hot springs, you might as well be walking on a planet from Star Trek. This geothermic marvel is harsh and barren yet stunning in its monochromatic formations. In contrast to surrounding forests and meadows, little vegetation grows here due to the extreme temperature and pH of the water and nearly nonexistent soil. Just when all hope for visible life seemed dashed, I happened to notice a small, unassuming yellow wildflower plant that had popped up in a crag, cheerily blooming all by itself. This little plant immediately struck me as a simple yet joyful symbol of resilience. It braved the difficult, overcame the odds, and rose above every challenge in its path to thrive and flourish. |
So much of the ethos of NCEFT is rooted in resilience - the quality of those who rise above life’s adversities and find ways to change course, emotionally heal, and continue moving toward their goals. We see moments of resilience daily at NCEFT. Every session when our patients and clients come into the clinic or get up on a horse they are overcoming personal challenges to improve their whole self. Over the past months our staff came together under the challenges of COVID-19, fires, and extreme weather to safely and enthusiastically resume our programs – and even launch new ones! Volunteers and interns have rejuvenated our Sensory Trail by creating wonderful upcycled gardens and interactive stations.
As you read this issue of Hoof Beats, you will see examples of resilience – big and small – growing and flourishing in this place we call NCEFT. I can’t think of a better environment to thrive.
Cherie Hammer, NCEFT Development Director
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NCEFT DOUBLES DOWN ON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Welcoming Students from Coast to Coast
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In keeping with our mission of education in the field of equine-facilitated programs, NCEFT offers internships to mentor and encourage the next generation.
We have longstanding partnerships with universities throughout the country to offer internships for students in advanced-degree physical and occupational therapy programs. These immersive clinical rotations last 8-16 weeks and involve working full-time, side-by-side with a NCEFT therapist building clinical reasoning skills, gaining exposure to varied types of patients, and learning the nuances of incorporating a horses’ movement into physical and occupational therapy exercises. Each session they receive hands-on experience, learn how to chart and document patient notes, and hopefully come away inspired to consider a career in this specialized field--perhaps even back here at NCEFT!
In August NCEFT welcomed two interns: Emily Liou from University of Florida’s Occupational Therapy doctorate program, studying under Alondra Ammon, NCEFT OT, and Nicole Aho from USC’s Physical Therapy doctorate program, studying under Chris Swan, NCEFT PT. Both have been energetic and enthusiastic additions to our therapy team.
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Chris Swan, Nicole Aho, Emily Liou, Alondra Ammon |
In October we introduced a new internship program, the NCEFT Employment Skills Internship Program. This program's goal is to prepare individual participants to transition into the workforce by developing and refining employability skills through a combination of working with horses and hands-on, practical experience of all aspects of NCEFT’s business. NCEFT AR Instructor, Matt Gridley, will be mentoring William Lax over the next several months. Welcome William! |
Matt Gridley & William Lax |
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SAVE THE DATE FOR RISING ABOVE
An Evening of Resilience & Hope
Mark your calendars for a very special event, RISING ABOVE: A Virtual Evening of Resilience & Hope, scheduled for Thursday March 11, 2021 from 7pm-8pm. This virtual community event will feature nationally recognized speakers as well as stories of our own patients. In one short hour you will be inspired and uplifted, learning how the healing power of horses can impact the mind, body, and spirit.
For more information and free registration, click button below. Check back often as more information becomes available about this much-anticipated event.
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Become a Rising Above Sponsor! Sponsor levels begin at $500, and sponsors will receive wide recognition throughout the event.
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NCEFT EXPANDS PROGRAMMING
With Mental Health & Resilience Initiatives
With of the hiring of our new Mental Health & Resilience Coordinator, Rebecka Pearson, (see more detailed information about Rebecka in the Staff Spotlight below), NCEFT took a definitive step toward expanding our equine-assisted programming, especially for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, social isolation, and grief.
At the end of September, we launched two new Mental Health & Resilience Workshops Healing With The Herd: a 6-week workshop for women who have experienced cancer treatment and Strides: a 6-week workshop for adolescent girls to help develop a positive and grounded understanding of themselves.
These workshops take place in the upper area of our property, offering a peaceful setting for practicing mindfulness and interacting with horses directly and through observations. The workshops offer a safe place for participants to open up and share, reflecting on the impact of their unique life experiences while exploring resilience strategies and developing social connections.
Look for continued programming in the area of mental health and resilience in the coming months. CLICK HERE for more information.
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JOB OPENING
Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator
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Recently, NCEFT bid farewell to Debra Whitlock-Lax, NCEFT’s Volunteer Coordinator, who left us to relocate to the Reno area. Our loss is Nevada’s gain! Last year over 100 volunteers selflessly donated thousands of hours of service to NCEFT. Managing this critical corps of people is essential to NCEFT operations and programming.
Interested in making a difference? Come join our team or forward this on to someone in your network. CLICK HERE for job description and application details or email resume and cover letter to jobs@nceft.org.
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Volunteer sidewalkers are important members of our therapy teams. |
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Rebecka Pearson, Mental Health & Resilience Coordinator
Both a lifelong horseman and a Depth Psychotherapist, Dr. Rebecka Pearson enthusiastically brings to NCEFT over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, providing therapy to individuals, families, children, and groups in a wide range of settings including outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, and schools. She holds a Ph.D in Depth Psychology with an Emphasis in Psychotherapy from Pacifica Graduate Institute, a Master's in Counseling Psychology from Immaculata University, and a Bachelor's in Women's Studies from West Chester University, both in Pennsylvania. Areas of clinical specialty include: trauma, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Having recently relocated from Montana, NCEFT is fortunate that she has chosen to join our team! We recently sat down with Rebecka and asked her a few questions to get to know her better:
Cherie: Where were you born? Rebecka: Ocala, FL
C: How long have you been with NCEFT? R: Since July 2020
C: What's the most unique job you have ever had? R: Neurofeedback technician
C: Chocolate or Vanilla? R: Vanilla
C: What's your favorite horse color? R: Bay
C: What is your favorite non-horse related activity? R: Skiing
C: iPhone or Android? R: iPhone
C: What is the last book you read? R: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
C: Favorite cartoon character? R: Charlie Brown
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SENSORY TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
An Outdoor Delight for All the Senses
A unique aspect to NCEFT’s programs is that nearly all take place outdoors on our beautiful property. The Sensory Trail is a great example of the ways in which our property itself becomes a tool for healing. A sensory trail is a specially designed path with elements to provide input for all a clients’ senses: novel and interesting things to look at, fragrant plants to smell, twittering birds and chirping crickets to listen to, leaves and branches to reach for and touch, and varied terrain and footing to feel. Our trail wraps around our outside arena, so in just a few short steps out of the covered arena’s back gate, our patients are immersed in a new and engaging environment.
Recently our Sensory Trail received some TLC from our volunteers and interns. New camouflage-painted tire planters and a scent station join our already blooming fairy gardens and interactive underwater-themed ball-drop board. With this constant improvement, we create exciting things for our patients to find and explore. Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who make our grounds a place of hope and healing!
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Under-the-sea activity board complete with ball-drop tubes for clients to interact with from horseback. |
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Several garden boxes along the trail have grown and flourished to become homes to fairies and other friends. |
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