Course at a Glance

Course:
Designing Equine Therapy Programs for Individuals with Autism
Date:
March 20 to May 8
Location:
Online/In-person
Cost:
$325

Designing Equine Therapy Programs for Individuals with Autism

23782/23783: Registration closed

With Dr. Terri Jennings, Psychologist

This course focuses on designing mounted and unmounted equine assisted activities for individuals with autism of varying ages and abilities. The instructor will demonstrate a wide array of techniques and teach how, when, and, why we use them with individuals with autism.

Developing treatment goals, designing interventions and measuring progress will be linked to hands-on activities during field trips to the ranch.

We will also discuss what to look for when choosing potential equine partners for working with individuals on the spectrum.

Also included in this course are in-person experiential learning opportunities in equine communication, safety, and handling. Experiential learning can be completed at any PATH certified equine facility.

Wed., March 20-May 8   •   5-7 p.m.

Online/In-person   •  $325   •  Class #: Registration is closed.

Optional 1 unit credit, PSYC x480, additional fee: $50, Class # Registration is closed.

Register Non-credit

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Terri Jennings with her pony

Terri Jennings

Dr. Terri Jennings is a licensed psychologist (PY 6802 FL) (PSY2726 CA). She has volunteered, worked and trained in the field of psychology for over 20 years. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami in 2002. Dr. Jennings founded Healing Hooves Psychotherapy, Inc., in South Florida where for 12 years she provided equine facilitated psychotherapy for children, teens and adults. Dr. Jennings moved to Humboldt County in May of 2014, bringing along her skills, enthusiasm and her therapy horses to create Healing Strides Psychotherapy, Inc. Dr. Jennings became interested in horses as a young girl, just four years old. Although her family could not afford horseback riding lessons, she checked out horse books from the library every week for years and begged her parents to drive by the local barn almost every day. She was able to ride for the first time at the age of 8 on a beautiful paint horse named Sunflower. From that point on she was hooked. Between the occasional trail ride and Girl Scout horse camp in the summer her passion continued to grow. As a teenager her interest in horses waned as she was busy with other things. It wasn't until she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1998 that she was reacquainted with her love of horses. As she began to spend time each day at the ranch she realized that horses would need to be in her life in order to continue to cope with her disease. Dr. Jennings also realized how horses transformed the lives of many people who frequented the ranch and decided to combine her psychological training with her love of horses. The rest is history.