Weyburn Review - May 15, 2024

Residents check out demo of equine therapy program

By Greg Nikkel

A small group of families and individuals came out to the Roughbark arena near Trossachs on Hayley Moats’ farm, to see a demonstration of an equine therapy program.

The group was a mix of individuals from area farms, a mom with three daughters, and the founding director of Inclusion Weyburn, Jackie Wilson, who wanted to check out the program for their client families.

The demo day included having individuals with horses in the arena, and then a group game involving horses, both with a view to understanding themselves better in different circumstances.

The demonstration was of the Eagala Model of equine therapy, offered by the Joshua Tree Learning Centre in Regina. They operate the program in three locations, including the Roughbark arena at Trossachs, Bear Creek arena at Lumsden, and the Hidden Creek arena at Balgonie.

The program involves two professionals, a mental health professional, and an equine specialist, along with the horses.

No horse-riding is involved, as the clients are on the arena floor interacting with the horses, and the two professionals oversee the session, and set certain tasks for the clients to discover they work and interact with the horses.

For the one-on-one demo, mental health specialist Deanna Schwindt worked with equine specialist Hayley Moats, and they guided the individuals with comments and questions about what they were thinking and how they interacted with the horses.

Later, those present were divided into two large teams, and each team had to work as a group to get a

horse to go into a pen area without the use of a halter or rope. They could only use their voices, or hands on the horse’s head and neck, with one person interacting with the horse and directing the group to assist or offer suggestions.

For the purpose of the game, the team had to interlock arms and walk in a line, and moved as the individual suggested to help guide the horse to a pen area.

One team had a horse that did not want to go into a pen, and numerous strategies were used to try and guide the horse in.

As the organizers pointed out later, the benefits and lessons are in the journey, not the completion of tasks given by the team.

Moats pointed out, “It’s very client-led. We take directions of where the client is at.”

Moats added they may see something in the way a horse acted or did something, but if the client didn’t see it or notice it, then it doesn’t matter, and the facilitators won’t bring it up to the client.

“You feel like you want the horse to like you – at least, I do,” said Wilson, after doing a one-on-one demo with a horse in the arena. “People don’t like to be pushed.”

According to the “Eagala Model” description provided to the attendees, the horse arena is a safe place for a person to “think outside the box” and define or redefine what success means.

As the horses are unpredictable, the session may involve success, failure, adventure, risk-taking and uncertainty. The belief behind the program is that individuals have the best solutions within themselves to solving difficulties or problems in their lives.

As for why horses are

used, horses are social animals, and like humans, have defined roles within the herd, and they also have the ability to read and respond to non-verbal communication.

Horses can remind people of others in their lives, or things, obstacles or ideas, while they have distinct personalities, attitudes and moods, so an approach that might work with one horse may not work with another.

It takes work to develop relationships with a horse, so participants need to be engaged physically, emotionally and mentally.

Information on the program points out the Eagala Model is not horsemanship, and there is no “right way” to do a task, and the goal is not to educate a person about horses.

It’s also noted that Eagala is not talk therapy, as the main focus of the client is on the horses, and there may be long periods of silence during a session.

Holy Family school division appoints Sampson as

The Holy Family Roman Catholic

Ken

Sampson as the new director of education effective Aug. 26.

The board conducted a thorough search and received and reviewed several outstanding applications.

“The board is excited to have Mr. Sampson join our family to continue to lead us in achieving our mission of preparing our students to be successful in the economies of the 21st century guided by Catholic values and principles,” said board chair Bruno Tuchscherer.

“Ken comes to us from

Holy Spirit Catholic School Division in Lethbridge, Alta., where he is currently serving as superintendent of schools and CEO. He brings with him a wealth of experience in leadership and student focused programming. His Masters degree focused on the educational benefits of integrating students with special and diverse needs into the classroom. Much of his experience, prior to being the CEO, was grounded in supporting students. He has a strong commitment to student fo-

cused work,” he added.

The board is thankful to the exemplary and compassionate service provided by outgoing director Gwen Keith. She leaves the system with a strong foundation on which Ken and his team will continue to build.

The work of transitioning between director Keith and Sampson for a smooth transfer has begun.

Ken is originally from Nova Scotia, and prior to moving out to Alberta, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in biology,

new education director

with minors in psychology and mathematics, then a Bachelor of Education majoring in Special Education.

Ken’s teaching and administrative career began with Calgary Catholic before moving to the Bahama Catholic School Board in 1993. There he served as a high school teacher and ended his employment after five years as principal of an elementary school.

He moved back to Alberta in 2007 and served in various school-based and central office administrative

Holy Family Roman Catholic School Board recognizes

10

honour its retirees.

2024

several school divisions

now known as Holy

Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division No. 140.

A banquet was followed by a video presentation commemoration the past 20 years of memories, as well as student performances and well wishes.

Service awards were presented to the following staff and board members.

The following were recognized for five years of service: Emma Anderson, Nadine Elson, Anne Grimsrud, Jessi Henderson, Kira Kettle, Olena Kratko, Robyn Makelki, Marsha Prost, Bill Sherven, Jenna Wenet, Jamie Wiseman and Megan Woodard.

For 10 years: Raeanne Galvin, Kyle Hambley, Wendy Hockley, Subreena Kaban, Christian Kaufmann, Alyssa McKenzie and Becky Stadnick.

For 15 years: Marty Brown, Shelagh Gil -

positions with Holy Spirit Catholic and Livingstone Range School Divisions.

“I am absolutely thrilled about becoming a part of the Holy Family learning community,” said Ken. “Working closely with the division’s senior leaders and school-based administrative teams, I am honoured to have been chosen to lead this well-established and highperforming division. Corinne and I are very much looking forward to meeting everyone and becoming active members of the community.”

more, Angele Skjonsby, Trina Verhelst and Jocelyn Weinrauch. Recipients of 20-year awards went to Lynn Colquhoun, Erin Doud, Loretta Kot, Corinne Kuchinka, Darrell Perras, Trina Phillips and Dawn Purdue. Lorrie Fiechter received a 25-year award, and Treena Pylychaty a 30-year award. Board member Karen Melle was recognized for 20 years of service, and board chair Bruno Tuchscherer for 35 years. Holy Family also celebrated its four retirees with heartfelt words and a gift: Lynn Colquhoun, Coordinator of Religion, Curriculum and Education Technology; Janine Waldner, Administrative Assistant, Sacred Heart School; Jocelyn Weinrauch, Bus Driver, Estevan; and Gwen Keith, Director of Education.

Following the lead with a horse Review Photo 0451 – Greg Nikkel

Hannah Fladeland used her voice and hand on the horse to guide it to a pen, as her “group” followed her, including Meghan Fitzpatrick, Jessica Fladeland, Faith McDonald, Brianna Fladeland and Jackie Wilson. They were taking part in an exercise for Eagala horse therapy at the Roughbark horse arena near Trossachs recently.

Interacting with horses in therapy program

Review Photo 0513 – Greg Nikkel Jessica Fladeland, centre, talked quietly to this horse to try and get it to cooperate with her, as her “team” stood by listening and giving her encouragement. From left, they include Marilyn Fradette, Tracy Fuchs, Meghan Kirkpatrick, Faith McDonald, Stacey Adelman, and Jackie Wilson just to the right of the horse.

Holy Family staff receive service awards

Photo – courtesy LaurieAnne Bendtsen Staff and board members of Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division were recognized for their years of service on Friday evening at a banquet held at McKenna Hall in Weyburn. In the back row are Emma Anderson, Jenna Wenet, Megan Woodard, Corinne Kuchinka,Trina Phillips, Subreena Kaban, Raeanne Galvin, Robun Makelki, Becky Stadnick and Lorrie Fiechter. In the middle are Loretta Kot, Dawn Purdue, Erin Doud, Jessi Henderson, Shelagh Gilmore, Alyssa McKenzie, Wendy Hockley, Karen Melle, Marsha Prost, Bruno Tuchscherer and Trina Verhelst. In front are retirees Lynn Colquhoun, Janine Waldner, Jocelyn Weinrauch and Gwen Keith.

Holy Family Trustees, staff and guests gathered on the evening of May

at McKenna Hall in Weyburn to celebrate this year’s service awards and

was also celebrated as a milestone since

amalgamated into what is

Separate School Division has appointed

KEN SAMPSON