Introducing PALS
Since opening Cheyne Ranch to visitors, the goal has been to offer a place where people of any age, any level of physical, mental and emotional ability, and any level of comfort or experience with animals can spend time here learning and growing in positive, meaningful ways.
It turns out there is an entire burgeoning professional field dedicated to this exact concept! It is called Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) or more broadly, Animal Assisted Activities (AAA). There are a few professional organizations widely recognized for offering certification in this field, and two have granted me admittance to their certification tracks, PATH, intl and The Herd Institute. Both of these certifications should be complete by early next year.
In addition to the professional certifications, I dove deep and found a coach, mentors, read every book and article I could find, joined professional forums, watched videos and put into practice what I was learning in real-time with the willing, kind families who walked this early experiment with me. I brought in knowledge from my college degree in Human Relations, experience from my 18-year career as a medical software analyst & instructor and even my 6-year experience as a homeschooling mom to the Cheyne kids. Combining my life’s work of solving problems in order to teach and motivate others along with my passion for sharing the gift of these animals leads to this ideal service offering.
Finally, I am so excited to offer a Cheyne Ranch pilot program called PALS this fall. PALS is Personalized Animal Learning Sessions and its purpose is to take the well documented benefits of being in the presence of animals – and put some level of structure to that time by working toward specific learning goals. The learning goals primarily fall into 2 categories: 1) life skills or 2) primary education skills. I would love to talk to you more about how we can work toward the learning goal in a straightforward or “sideways” approach. Please join the interest list if you would like to learn more about this service. It has taken me years to arrive here and I can’t wait to start this new chapter of learning with you.