TheJournalNJ.com | OCTOBER 2021 61
Most recently, Nilsson and Morgan
created a program called “Heal the Healers”
to address the needs of frontline workers
from around the world who have experienced
compassion fatigue and burnout
due to the stresses of the COVID-19
pandemic. Participants spend a week immersed
in nature in the vibrant Costa Rican
rainforest, partnering with a herd of horses
in a range of facilitated activities like painting,
leading, breathing, connecting, yoga,
journaling, etc. – all designed to calm their
system and bring back a feeling of balance
and peace. Participants describe this as
“a transformational mental, physical and
spiritual healing experience.”
“You don’t need any experience
fear of horses when they arrive but leave feeling like horses are their new
best friends!”
these types of experiences near you, visit TulaVida.com.
Donna Lombardi, a master horsewoman with 35 years of experience
and manager of Whispering Pines Farm, shared a personal and
deeper insight into what an equine-assisted therapy experience is like.
Lombardi explained that her husband and her horses are her family. She
has owned most of them for more than 10 years and knows each of their
stories and their specialties. Many of these horses are currently competing
national champions who quickly shift from the show ring to therapy.
She explained that the person seeking therapy is blindfolded, and the
horse selects the person.
“It’s stunning to watch,” she said. “Sometimes a person will attract
one horse, some people attract multiple horses. The horses instinctively
sense a person needs and match themselves based on that. Then the
person just spends time with the horse. It’s easy for people to accept that
dogs and cats can make you feel better and given a horse’s size you get
many multiples of that healing energy.”
Inna Danieli, LCSW, MBA, is a psychotherapist with numerous specialties
who also utilizes equine-assisted therapy at Whispering Pines
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ed through their circulatory system; the same goes with the human heart
and the non-verbal communication starts immediately. They are natural
bio-feedback monitors. Even people who are afraid of horses are transformed
in a few hours.
Lombardi continued, “I am so proud of these horses and always
answers and peace after a single two- or four-hour session. Others drive to
the farm weekly, and others book weekends at hotels just to spend time
with the horses. Each client says they consider their hours with the horses
a very healing and spiritual time.” To learn more, visit WhisperingPinesHorse.
Wixsite.com/WhisperingPinesFarm.
Locally, working in conjunction with the Monmouth County Park Sys-
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tion that provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to achieve
personal goals through therapeutic horsemanship. It began in the late
1970s as a grassroots movement for therapeutic horseback riding began
to grow. In 1978, the Monmouth County Park System became involved,
and after several moves, SPUR now resides at Sunnyside Recreation Area
in Lincroft. SPUR offers eight-week children and adults therapeutic horsemanship
programs and equine environment for learning programs. SPUR
also offers veterans and active duty military specially tailored Horses for
Heroes workshops, including Equine Harmony for Heroes, Equine Psychology
Programs and Group and Individual Horsemanship Workshops.
Instructors and Equine Specialists.
Take time to learn about the many horse farms in our area, and
stop for a restorative moment whenever you see one of these majestic
animals pass by.
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