Restoring Niitsitapi: Aboriginal Friendship Centre of

Calgary Equine Therapy

Case StudyResolve Conference1:30 pm Oct 5, 2016

Hotel Alma University of Calgary

Joe Pimlott & Chris Hylton

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a

man”

Winston Churchill

2

Photo courtesy of International Traditional Games Society

So….Why are we doing

this?Why Equine

Therapy?Any ideas?

The Elephant in the room

• Anyone have any ideas what it is please?

Canada Suicide Rates

Youth suicide is an urgent issue for First Nations and Inuit youth in Canada. While there is much variation among communities, overall rates are high.

Suicide rates are five to seven times higher for First Nations youth than for non-Aboriginal youth. Suicide rates among Inuit youth are among the highest in the world, at 11 times the national average.

Government of Canada - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/suicide/index-eng.php

Unless a child learns about the forces which shaped him;

The history of his people, their values and customs, their language, he will never really know himself or his potential as a human being.

•An animal, such as a dog or horse becomes a basic part of a person’s day

•Having an animal around reduces stress, creates a relationship, helps people feel loved and needed, provides a listening ear without judgment and it can improve social skills and boost the confidence of an individual.

Source: http://www.worldwidehealth.com/

What is Animal Therapy?

Why Healing Occurs

•As scientists have discovered, animals have healing powers. “When you stroke a cat or pet a dog, you experience a surge of healing hormones and chemicals that produce feelings of peace and serenity.” Edward T. Creagan, M.D. - Mayo Clinic oncologistAFCC HCP Photos

Why do animals heal?

• A therapist who brings along a pet is viewed as being less dangerous by the patient.

• The previously uncommunicative patient is willing to share more with the professional.

• Animals commonly used for therapy include dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and other small animals.

Kari Fulmek, Equine Assisted Learning TrainerAFCC HCP Photos

Traditional Horse Culture Class of 2012

Horse Therapy Testimonials(AFCC Students in program)

• “Tyson (the horses name) makes me feel I could trust more and he doesn’t hurt me”

•“I haven’t been called to the principals office for 3 weeks and I am more relaxed in class”

•“I accomplished lots of things through team work”•“My horse trusted me, he was good I trusted him”•“My horse was so nice and he listened to me”•“I learned control and I’m not scared anymore”

"I had fun and I haven't had fun in a while, I can't wait to come back."

"This equine program was so much fun! I've never had this experience before and I feel I'm so confident. I loved being here so much. Hope you guys keep this going so everyone

can have an awesome experience like this!""Today I've been stressed out and upset. But when I came here everything changed about how I felt, because I was

building a relationship""Today Pepper could tell I was sad, and he was also unhappy.

I feel he wouldn't move until I smartened up and started being happy."

AFCC Horse Program CostBUDGET $63,000

Time frame 6 months - I day a week - 6 hours per day $10,500 per month$262.50 per child / mo$13.12 per hr per child

Man and Horse Power2 Coordinators, 4 Instructors, 2 ranch hands

60 horses – tack, saddles, saddle blankets1 indoor horse facility

A lot of will power

Reference MaterialSpecial thanks to Carol and Jim Mason, and Kari Fulmek for developing this program!

• Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities: A Study and Research Resource Guide for the Use of Companion Animals in Animal-Assisted Interventions , by Phil Arkow , (2011: 189 pp.), ISBN: 978-0-615-46239-4

• Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, Inc. (2009). http://www.eagala.org/ • Dolphin Therapy. http://www.dolphintherapy.eu• Animal-Assisted Therapy. (2010). http://www.mahalo.com/animal-assisted-therapy • Miscellaneous Therapies: Pet-facilitated Therapy. In The Complete Guide to Autism

Treatments, Freeman, S. K., Ph.D (pp. 327-333). Lynden, WA: SKF Books USA, Inc. • Life Changing Stories: The American Hippotherapy Association.

http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/stories/life-changing-stories-2/• A n i m a l - A s s i s t e d A c t i v i t i e s ( A A A )

http://www.deltasociety.org/Document.Doc?id=10• Animal Therapies and Autism, Dr. Matt Coldwell,

http://www.slidefinder.net/2/20553_20Animal_20Therapies/23601139• Traditional Horse Culture – International Traditional Games –

www.traditionalnativegames.org• Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary – www.afccalgary.org

NiitsitapiWe call ourselves Niitsitapi, although we are known as the Blackfoot. This is our way of life. It is about how we lived with our families, the environment, and our neighbours. It is also about how these relationships are still important to us.

Thank you!