There’s a new form of therapy making its way into Saskatchewan, and it’s taking people out onto the farm.
Six months ago, Kali Eddy left her job as a psychologist with the Prairie Valley School Division to open her own practice that employs some four-legged helpers. She now owns and operates Wild Blue Psychology, an animal-assisted therapy ranch near Craven, Sask.
“The session could start off in the office. It could be anything from going for a walk in nature to working with the animals,” Eddy said.
Eddy grew up on a farm and spent her whole life around animals. It was her passion for animals that drove her to open her own unique psychology practice.
“It was just a way for me to combine my love for animals and nature with my love for psychology,” she said.
There are other equine-assisted therapy programs in the province, but Wild Blue Psychology is the first to offer sessions with other animals like pigs, sheep, cows and mini donkeys.
“Each species has their own unique way of being in the world,” explained Darlene Chalmers, an assistant professor in the faculty of social work at the University of Regina. “Being in the presence of other species, non-human, creates so many opportunities for learning about them and about ourselves.”
Chalmers and Eddy agree that horses in particular have a knack for tapping in to people’s emotions.
“We use the horse’s behavior as metaphors for the client’s life,” Eddy said.
“It’s the horse’s sensitivity to human’s emotions that could make them really suitable in working with specific groups of clients,” Chalmers added.
While Eddy’s passion for animals inspired her practice, she remains focused on the therapy.
“I think the key to successful therapy is relationships and a connection and for people to feel comfortable,” Eddy said. “That’s really what I wanted to do here at Wild Blue - to just create a unique environment where people could come here and not have to worry about the stigma and they can just feel comfortable and relaxed.”
