Treatments

Animal Assisted Therapy

Equine assisted therapy (EAP), Equine assisted learning (EAL) & Chelonian Therapy.

All clients will get the benefit of equine assisted therapy, which is delivered from Hope Ranch.

The benefits of EAL and EAP prove amazing for many who experience it.  Simply put, EAL is a learning modality that uses interaction with horses as a means for clients to gain personal awareness, breakthrough and growth.  EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals.  It addresses a variety of mental health and human development issues including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, communication needs, behavioural issues and grief recovery.

Our equine therapist has vast experience with horses, received instruction from the legendary “horse whisperer” Monty Roberts, has certification in a number of equine specialties, and is a John Maxwell trainer and a life coach.

Equine assisted activities do not require riding, as they involve proven and highly effective ground activities involving the horse and the individual.  This allows even those who do not wish to mount a horse to benefit fully.  Even those not yet familiar with or comfortable around horses can benefit tremendously from equine assisted therapy.

Equine assisted learning at Hope Ranch also provides a kind, rewarding home for retired horses and ponies, where they receive loving care, open space and the benefit of enjoying life as part of a pack, which is important for animals such as horses.

Chelonian Therapy (swimming with turtles). Connecting with another being and ultimately being fully connected within oneself is the special quality of the chelonioan-triggered experience. The feelings that are part of this process – eye contact, connectedness, aliveness and harmony – provide clients with the opportunity to reduce stress, increase relaxation, alleviate depressive states by stimulating production of endorphins and hormones and thereby enhancing recovery.

Sea turtles are one of Earth’s most ancient creatures, and they’re powerful swimmers, covering enormous distances in relatively short periods of time. Turtles found feeding on the west coast of Barbados are often later tagged 2,500 km away in the sea grass meadows of the Miskito Cays on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua – a staggering journey requiring considerable stamina and might. Despite their size, these animals are extremely graceful, and under the guidance of our specialty marine wildlife experts, swimming with sea turtles is an incredible opportunity to get close to this magnificent species, the Caribbean’s laid back giants of the deep. It is difficult to put into words the experience of taking a dip, eyeball-to-eyeball, with a 90-year-old, 100lb hawksbill turtle with a smile on his face.

Barbados’s conservation efforts have helped protect the island’s sea turtle population since 1987 and Strong Hope works very closely with accredited providers.  Our trips are ethically run by two marine biologists who combine trips with the evaluation, monitoring, protection and education of tropical reef and coastal ecosystems. Both have earned reputations as dedicated scientists and are experts in marine habitats – so are great for facts and extra insight. All our sea turtle swims are guided by strict codes of conduct before clients reach the water with a full brief on acceptable behaviour.

Enquire Now

We treat all enquiries with the utmost confidentiality. If you would like to speak in strictest confidence to a member of our team, please call or e-mail us at the contact details below.

Call Us

Barbados Reception

+1 (877) 670-8975

Call Kristi

+ 1 (561) 244 5042