Kaiserslautern Landstuhl Spouses’ Association and the Kaiserslautern Chapter of the American Legion have teamed up to help fund the Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe’s Top Team equine therapy pilot program. The WTBE has developed this pilot program for Soldiers to participate in over the course of the next several weeks to help develop better coping skills, enhance problem solving strategies, develop better communication skills and strengthen family roles.
The equine Top Team Program was formulated by a non-profit organization by the name of Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. EAGALA provides education, standards, innovation, and support to professionals providing services in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning around the world. The facilitator, a host nation psychologist, Ilka B. Parent, Dipl.-Psych./LPC, has a wealth of experience using Equine Therapy to treat American Soldiers in the states dealing with PTSD and other mental illnesses.
From the disaboom.com website: According to Dr. Laurie Sullivan-Sakeada, a Utah- based clinical psychologist and leading practitioner of EAP, the horses are therapeutic and interactive tools that speed up the therapy process substantially. “They are just there,” said Dr. Sakeada, “providing non-verbal feedback.” Dr. Sakeada notes that one session of EAP in the barn is equal to five sessions “on the couch.”
This new equine therapy pilot program will get its start from the funding provided by KLSA and the American Legion. KLSA is a non-profit organization and exists to give back to the community through “welfare requests.” If you “see a need in the community” or belong to an organization that would like to request funding from KLSA, the welfare request application and more information can be found on the KLSA website at www.klsagrapevine.org.
KLSA generates funds from the patronage of the Landstuhl and Pulaski thrift shops. Like us on Facebook for Thrift Shop updates, sales and be the first to know what great items have just hit the floor. Join KLSA and become a member of the only All Ranks, All Services & Civilians club in Kaiserslautern. See our website for the membership application and help us give back.
For more information on equine therapy helping veterans, visit www.eagala.org, www.disaboom.com/disabled-veterans-general/equine-therapy-for-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
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