Parallel Effects Equine is a Certified Equine Assisted Learning facility that supports and facilitates personal and corporate skill development. They work with both individuals and organizations in and around Camrose, Alberta, Canada. Owner and Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator, Shari Lange works with mental health, trauma recovery programs, corporate leadership/team building workshops and women’s empowerment events. The heart and success of these scientifically researched horse assisted programs, are her horse coaches. Clients working alongside the horses begin rediscovering themselves. Organization, team, and individual dynamics are revealed with instant and honest feedback.
Shari Lange, Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator
Can you give us an overview of Equine Assisted Learning and how it helps your clients?
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an experiential, hands-on learning method partnering clients and horses in scientifically researched life skill development programs. Each program is objectively driven meaning each program has a specific skill to be learned with a guaranteed result tailored to the clients’ needs. We utilize the Building Block Curriculum TM where each subsequent program builds on the previous skills learned. All programs are executed on the ground and no horse experience is necessary. Safety always comes first!
Horses are instrumental in the learning. They are prey animals with a specific set of survival skills and senses that cannot be fooled by the masks people hide behind. Horses leave us only with the truth of ourselves. They assess and respond to the energy we are truthfully exuding. Horses only respond to our authentic selves and will hold us accountable in the programs. Consider that they can only think like a horse with no judgment. This makes every client equal to them. This eliminates intimidation, superiority, or inferiority. Their superhuman senses detect and discern what is authentic within.
Can you tell us how you ended up working in Equine Assisted Learning?
A few years ago, I had finished taking courses for Equine Bodywork such as, equine massage, equine vertebral realignment, equine energy work and nutrition. My family is heavily involved with horses. We live on a working cattle ranch where we use horses on the ranch almost every day. My husband, and sons all compete in rodeo horse events. The horses need a lot of care and maintenance to keep them fit and healthy. I began a small business and as I would work on the client horses, I started to notice how much of an affect the horses had on humans in the barn with me. They would comment on how relaxed and focused they had become and wished they did not have to leave. I knew the profound impact that they had in my life and in the lives of friends and family. Those instances started me down a path of searching how I could help humans with horses. It is such a privilege to interact with them every day and I wanted to be able to share that experience. When I realized there was a scientific, tangible way that people could benefit and learn from horses, I was hooked. I had no idea then the depths of the human-horse connection and the power of that partnership to bring about lasting change. I was then promptly certified by the Equine Connection – The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning in Alberta, Canada in spring of 2020.
Would you like to share a success story or a proud moment from your career?
There are many moments that happen in the arena that facilitate profound learning experiences, but this story gives a small example and insight into how the method works.
I was working with an 8-week women’s group where the women had dealt with abuse. In week 5, one of the women shared with us a story of an on and off again relationship she had been in for a while. She shared, that this man in her life, would speak to her in a condescending, sarcastic way. He always made light of it as though these comments were meant to be funny and told her that she was wrong in thinking they were meant to be hurtful. In the previous week, we had worked through the program that requires understanding healthy boundaries in relationships. She continued to share, that in that previous program, my horse, Whip, had been showing her that her boundaries needed to be stronger. Afterwards, this man had called her again and spoke to her in the same way he always did. She said that she decided that he could no longer speak to her in this manner. She had set new boundaries for herself and deserved to be respected and treated better! It was such an empowering moment in her life!
Looking ahead what do you see for yourself personally and your business?
First, I see myself as being an advocate for this unique method of learning. It has irrefutable results for so many life applications. The industry is new and there is only a small percentage of EAL businesses in the world. I personally, can only work in a couple of market areas. I want to help bring awareness to all the EAL businesses working in many more sectors. A few examples are, social organizations, trauma, addiction, mental health, abuse, grief, front line workers, veterans, youth and school programs.
My goal is for people to better understand how horses help us through their communication and innate understanding of humans. The human – horse connection is almost as old as time itself and we are just now finding out why this partnership is so powerful. Many people are intimidated by the horse’s size or individual past experiences. Do not let a fear of horses get in the way. I have witnessed many who were scared become not only comfortable with the horses but experienced tangible growth. Education in a safe environment is the key.
I wish clients to comprehend how they impact others by learning from the horses. It is important to acquire strong self-awareness skills for personal and corporate leadership. I have since seen clients rediscover themselves and implement long-term change while learning in a positive, fun, and non-judgemental environment.
My passion is helping clients through the insights and guidance of the human-horse connection. Success for my business will be to spread awareness and showcase the Equine Assisted Learning method as a transformational life experience. As a result, my team and I will continue helping clients move forward in their lives both personally and professionally.
Read more from Shari Lange
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