Treasures

Please NOTE: this is not horseback riding lessons. As part of our animal, barn and nature skill building, we may go on a hand-led pony / nature walk occasionally, but we will not be learning mounted riding skills. For horseback riding lessons, please understand we have limited spots, learn more here

What is TREASURES?

A small group program for teenagers that meets weekly at Cheyne Ranch. The goals are to offer teens an inclusive, accessible, animal, outdoor environment where they can gain confidence, discover their strengths, find a safe peer space together, work hard together, and experience connection with animals and each other 

This program is based on an emerging profession called Animal Assisted Activities / Learning (AAA / AAL) or Equine Assisted Learning (EAL).

When:

Fridays (teen girls 14+)

5pm - 8pm (may vary slightly in December when it is DARK so early)

What will we be doing during TREASURES?

Each week we will follow a relaxed agenda that is something like this:

  • 5:00 - 5:45  Community

  • Welcome! Circle talk and take care of the animals (barn work together)

  • 5:45 - 6:30  Discover our strengths

    Activity from Treasures curriculum

  • 6:30 - 7:00  Community

    Dinner together on the playground (we usually decide together what we want to order, and my patient husband goes out to get it)

  • 7:00 - 7:45  Stretch our comfort level

    Learning about animal care and connection (EAL)

  • 7:30 - 7:45  Community

    Wrap up and dessert (most weeks we hope to eat something yummy to end our evening together)

Curriculum

Part of this program is inspired by the TREASURES Curriculum, which outlines learning activities meant for small groups participating in equine assisted learning programs.

Here is a link to the book we will be using (you do NOT need to purchase a book): https://stridestosuccess.org/product/treasures-curriculum/

**Strides to Success is a very large education / therapy barn in Indiana, they are a leading barn for equine assisted learning. 

NEW!! As of August 2023, we will be working through the HorseSense Learning Levels UNmounted programs together. The first 4 levels are Rainbow, Red, Yellow, Green.

What are the facilitator’s credentials?

Sally Ann Cheyne is both the owner the founder and president of Cheyne Ranch and the primary facilitator of TREASURES. She has 20 years experience as a software instructor and curriculum writer. She also homeschools her own 4 children, currently all teenagers.

Both Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) are recognized and growing fields. There are a few respected certifying organizations which offer a rigorous certification processes. Sally currently holds affiliations with the following organizations:

Payment

$400 for the 8 classes. This includes us ordering dinner! Please pay online when registering, or you can make payments through any of these ways: chra.us/pay

Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES / Gardiner

Will the Gardiner Scholarship (Family Empowerment Scholarship) cover this?

Yes! This is a reimbursable service with the Gardiner / Family Empowerment Scholarship. Here is a link with further instructions for how to submit for reimbursement: Link

Definitions:

Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional and personal goals through equine-assisted activities.

Curriculum

From the Strides to Success website:

Description: Our newest curriculum, Treasures, is finally here!!!  We are very proud of this resource and are excited to share it with you.  We piloted the program over the last few years with wonderful success and are sure you will have the same success.  It is geared toward youth at risk but can be used with any population and any type of equine.  You can customize the succession of lessons to fit the needs of your group of equine-assisted learning client.   Each lesson is built much like our other curricula with a foundation in the Search Institute's developmental assets and focuses on a critical skill each week.  The concept of this curriculum is to help the individuals you serve find their inner strengths, or Treasures, through 12 ground activities that will lead them toward success in life.  All the resources you need are included in the appendix.  Includes 10 new activities created by the intern team at Strides!

Help your students develop trust to connect with others and the courage to try through this resource!  Discover the hidden Treasures in everyone you work with!

Register online below:

Registration not appearing? Please visit this page to complete our interest list for our next open session!