My Churchill Fellowship follows the blended format, so part of my research takes place online in the UK and the other part takes place 'in the field' (probably quite literally as horses are involved) in the USA. I'm about to start the first wave of online interviews with experts in equine assisted learning and therapeutic horsemanship for care-experienced young people. My aim is to learn more about how horses can help improve outcomes for young people with developmental trauma, learn about best practice and find out what can be replicated here in the UK. Some of the organisations that I'm excited to be talking in October to include:
Groundwork Ranch in Colorado where horses help people to practice emotional regulation, clear communication, boundary setting, and effective leadership. They work with adult survivors of trauma, adolescents in foster care and those who have been adopted. They also provide workshops for foster and adoptive parents of traumatised children that teach parenting skills critical to developing a sense of safety and creating a healthy, healing home environment.
I'll also be talking to Terena Thomas who is a legend and a pioneer in the field of therapeutic riding for developmental trauma as well as bovine and camelid assisted activities! Her Hooves for the Heart method, which she began developing when she was still a young person herself growing up in family that provided therapeutic fostering placements for some of the most traumatised and challenging children imaginable, has been used successfully as part of the healing for over 2,000 young people.
I'll also be talking to Wholehearted Herd Counseling where children and adolescents overcome trauma and attachment challenges as they partner with horses. They offer trauma informed parenting groups and work with families to help them to become more connected.
I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to pick the brains of these amazing people. This is just the first step on a big adventure. I can't wait to see where it takes me!
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