Week Two at the Ranch

High Top Ranch in Utah was my number one pick for long term therapeutic treatment for Vale because it provides a daily dose of Equine Therapy, a type of therapy known to be helpful for his type of attachment disorder. Chris and I had engaged in Holding Therapy with Vale for eight months with a qualified attachment therapist in Houston making great improvements in some behavioral problems of Vale’s, but his high level of anxiety continued to escalate. Equine therapy had been suggested and recommended by professionals and as I began to explore the combination of Equine Therapy and long term residential treatment, the two seemed to be what Vale needed.

During my research, I found that Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is an experiential approach. This means that a child can learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. The therapy horses used in the session have the ability to mirror exactly what the human body language is saying in that moment. Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers. EAP can help address expressing feelings, increasing coping skills, rebuilding self-esteem and decreasing grief symptoms.

EAP provides a metaphoric experience with horses to promote emotional growth and behavioral improvements. This experiential therapy teaches children about themselves, allows recognition of dysfunctional patterns of behavior, and helps define healthier relationships in a child’s community environment. Horses are typically non-judgmental and have no expectations or motives. Therefore, a child can “practice” relationships without the perceived fear of rejection. The horse assists in making a child aware of his emotional state as the horse responds in reaction to their behavior. Through working with the horse, children can gain insight into their feelings, behaviors, patterns, boundaries, and stumbling blocks to healthy relationships. The process is very effective in treating children with anxiety and depression.

EAP may or may not occur in a group setting, and is facilitated by a certified Equine-Assisted Therapist and a trained professional therapist. The process first involves establishing a relationship with a horse and then evolves into the nurturing of that relationship through activities such as grooming and the eventual riding of the horse. Through interaction between the horse and the child, the trained professional asks the child questions based upon what is being revealed through the child’s “relationship” with the horse. The child learns to see himself through the direct response and movement of the horse’s ears, eyes, and body. If the child is anxious or fearful, the horse will react with observable changes in behavior that the child can learn to decipher. The information relayed from the horse will begin to condition the child to observe and reflect on his own feelings so that he can learn to make self adjustments that will bring positive engagement to the child and horse relationship.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy can help children to work through the pain of traumatic life experiences. Much of the process of EAP is nonverbal, which is especially potent for children who have experienced traumatic events and are not able to express these events fully in words. For many children, developing a relationship with a horse is the first step in re-developing positive relationships within his community. And, this is our hope and prayer for Vale, in that he will discover himself in a new and engaging way that will build new self esteem and the ability to have healthier relationships within his family and community.

Week Two at the Ranch: Since the first three weeks at the ranch will involve no direct contact with Vale, The information I receive about his well being and progress comes from Tad and Justin, who have daily interaction with him. Others I talk to are weekend supervisors and part-time office staff that can help provide additional insight.

Monday morning I received a much needed call from Tad, Vale’s Equine Therapist and social worker , giving me his assessment of Vale’s adjustment to High Top Ranch during his first week. He echoed many of my concerns and observed old behaviors that were playing out in his new environment. He said he would be starting equine therapy with him that day to begin the process of teaching him about his anxiety and learning to recognize its existence.

Tad said the ranch had recently acquired some new ponies that would be perfect for Vale to begin working with. Young horses are even more responsive to human behavior and perfect for mirroring Vale’s anxiety. He would start with teaching him how to rub down the pony’s muscles and watch for its response through its muscles, ears, and eyes. Then he would teach Vale how to clean out the pony’s hooves. Since the pony won’t give him his foot if he doesn’t trust the one who is requesting it, Vale will be able to immediately recognize and understand this direct feedback. He said the process of teaching Vale to read the pony’s feedback may take three weeks.

Other activities that Vale has been enjoying are going to the skating park in the town 30 miles away. The boys take their skateboards and practice their maneuvers during free time they’ve earned. I was told Vale is fitting in and following the rules. He gets homesick in the evening around bedtime, but that is the only down-time they have during the day they have to think about what they are missing from home. He is kept busy with morning chores, school is from 9 to 4 and then more chores are done after school and before dinner. There is no time for electronics such as DS games or TV. They earn the privilege to watch a movie during the week, but most luxuries he experienced at home are not available at the ranch.

He is not eating very well, but this is not a surprise. I struggled most of the last 9 years with getting him to eat quality food. However, he likes school and is doing well. His love for learning has always been a positive attribute and esteem building.

The weekend supervisors will begin taking Vale to the only church in town, the Mormon Church or Latter Day Saints (LDS as they like to be known) and asked me if this would be a problem. I said that it was important to keep him in a regular routine of going to church. However, I have been reading and researching the Mormon religion to understand its teachings and origin so I can talk to Vale about it later. I’ve decided to reserve judgment until I know more about what they believe. Actually, in the long run, attending the Mormon Church is the least of my worries.

After week three at the ranch, I will be able to make and receive phone calls from Vale. In the interim I’ve been sending him cards and letters. If anyone else would like to do the same, let me know and I will make sure your greetings will get to him. Thanks for your prayers and concerns for Vale. He is dearly missed by us and we pray daily for his emotional growth and safety.