Counselling and Animal Assisted Therapy
Blue Rein Ranch is nestled in the beautiful prairie region of Southern Alberta. We offer a blend of counselling and animal assisted therapy to help people heal from trauma and abuse, as well as cope with mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, ADHD, or grief. Spending time with animals provides natural healing. A certified therapist will use activities that integrate Animal Assisted Therapy with evidence based counselling interventions.
Click here to read how Animal Assisted Therapy can be helpful for different conditions.
Blue Rein Ranch Foundation
The Blue Rein Ranch Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation is the charitable arm of Blue Rein Ranch. This non-profit society is partnered with Bridges of Hope. Its mission is to reach out to people that would benefit from counselling, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and/or therapeutic horsemanship and reduce any to financial or other barriers that prevent them from accessing these services.
How a Typical Session Looks
To give you a better understanding of what a typical session looks like, and what you can expect, we’ve put together a series of videos on our YouTube channel.
About Animal Assisted Therapy
Animals (especially horses) help people regulate an unregulated nervous system, and to restore the emotional-physical balance required for healing. They help people create new emotional pathways, and increase their tolerance for painful feelings. Broken and damaged attachment bonds are healed, allowing clients to trust again, form new attachment bonds with others, and move forward to live rich and meaningful lives.
AAT can be especially helpful for children who feel uncomfortable with traditional counselling.
No horse experience is required in order to engage in AAT. All sessions are carefully paced by the therapist to meet client needs and comfort level.
Clients can also choose to blend talk therapy with animal assisted therapy.
More About
Animal Assisted Therapy
A common symptom for those who are experiencing stress as a result of trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression or anything else is the inability to regulate the nervous system. This may include heightened startle responses, anxiety, panic, inability to relax, restlessness, digestive problems, emotional flooding, chronic pain, sleeplessness, lethargy, exhaustion, dissociation, etc. People who experience one or more of these symptoms often blame themselves for feeling the way they do, which in turn, can lead to extensive feelings of depression and more anxiety.
At Blue Rein Ranch, animals (especially horses), are used to help people regulate their unregulated nervous system, and to restore the emotional-physical balance required to heal. New pathways of arousal, emotion, and meaning are developed, expanding the window of tolerance for emotion as well as the capacity to develop healthy relationships. Broken and damaged attachment bonds are healed, allowing clients to trust again, form new attachment bonds with others, and move forward to live rich and meaningful lives.
AAT interventions are also particularly helpful for families. Family members will spend time together conducting activities with horses to restore and strengthen their emotional connections with each other. The therapist will help families achieve their goals. For example, interventions may focus on developing conflict resolution skills.
Animal Assisted Therapy can be especially helpful for children who feel uncomfortable with traditional counselling.
Treating the effects of trauma/stress by learning how to regulate the nervous system is one of the goals of AAT. The following illustrations show the difference between a healthy nervous system, and one that has been impacted by trauma.*
*Adapted by Marvin Vandenhoek (M.C., C.C.C.) from: Amy (2014, Nov. 24). Window of tolerance [Web log post]. Retrieved from: http://bestwecanandmore.blogspot.ca/2014/11/window-of-tolerance.html
Meet Our Therapists
Mental Health Therapist
Marvin Vandenhoek, M.C., C.C.C.
Marvin has lived and worked in Southern Alberta his entire life. He grew up around animals, and is passionate about their therapeutic nature. His Animal Assisted Therapy Training was done under Eileen Bona at Dreamcatcher Association. He has many years of experience in mental health, having worked as a teacher/school counsellor as well as a mental health therapist. He has a master’s degree in counselling and is a certified member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
Click here to view Marvin’s e-portfolio.
Practicum Student
Jolayna Ahlskog.
Jolayna has a degree in Addictions Counselling from the University of Lethbridge. She has a passion for horses and how the equine-human partnership promotes healing.
Registered Social Worker
Katherine Done
Katherine is a Registered Social Worker that recently completed her masters degree. She has over ten years of experience in the mental health field, working in a variety of settings.
Practicum Student
Jolayna Ahlskog
Jolayna has a degree in Addictions Counselling from the University of Lethbridge. She has a passion for horses and how the equine-human partnership promotes healing.
Meet Our Horses
Horses are very social animals with the ability to read emotions of other beings. They react to the emotions of others with what is called bio-feedback. It is this bio-feedback that gives the therapist and the client information about what emotions the client may be experiencing, or what fears and anxieties the client may be facing. Clients will work through a variety of exercises to explore emotional regulation, boundaries, personal awareness, safety, and relationship patterns.
All animals used in therapy are screened to ensure they are suitable to work with clients in therapeutic work.
Stardust was born at the ranch in 2014. Her sweet and loving disposition makes her easy to be with. She’s intelligent, easy to handle, and willing to do what is asked of her.
Kate is a gentle quarter horse that is retired from various rodeo events. She is calm and gentle, and has given birth to two lovely fillies during her time at the ranch so far.
Whin is one of Kate’s fillies. She was born in 2014. As gentle as her mom, just much more curious!
“
Horses carry the wisdom of healing in their hearts, and offer it to any humans who possess the humility to listen.”
Unknown
Meet our Dogs
At Blue Rein Ranch, we raise German Shepherd Dogs. Our dogs are also used as therapy animals. They are an alternative medium and can be less intimidating to work with for some clients.
Rose
Rose is a registered German Shepherd female. She has a very sweet character and loves affection.
Rangler
Rangler is a registered German Shepherd male. He is very playful. His favourite game is to play “seek!”
Nova
Nova is a male Golden Retriever born in February 2023. Nova is a very inviting dog and is always very excited to show you the latest stick that he found.
If you’re lucky, we might even have puppies. We raise beautiful pets that go to loving homes to enrich people’s lives. Visit Blue Rein German Shepherds to see more about our dogs.
Services
The following are common conditions that people seek counselling for. Research is increasingly demonstrating the efficacy of Animal Assisted Therapy as an effective treatment for these and other mental health conditions.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal human reaction to stress. Animal Assisted Therapy creates an environment in which people naturally regulate their emotions.
Depression
Animal Assisted Therapy has been shown to reduce depression symptoms. Animals provide unconditional acceptance, soothing presence, routine, companionship, and healing touch.
Trauma & Abuse
Trauma and abuse may cause the nervous system to be disregulated. Symptoms like high startle response, anxiety, restlessness, emotional flooding, exhaustion, and dissociation are common. Animal Assisted Therapy helps people regulate their nervous system, and restore the emotional-physical balance they need to work through their trauma memories.
Grief & Loss
Grief is a powerful feeling resulting from loss. Animals reflect emotion. This bio-feedback helps people tune into their inner world.
Relationships
Forming a relationship with an animal enables people to form and heal human relationships. This can be especially helpful for youth who have difficulty connecting with others.
ADHD
Animals have a calming effect that helps people of all ages regulate their emotions and maintain focused.
All services provided at Blue Rein Ranch are tailored specifically to the needs of the client. An initial assessment will be conducted at the onset of the process to determine an appropriate method of therapy, as well as how many sessions can be expected.
Sessions can vary in length depending on client needs. Most sessions are one hour in length. Longer half or full-day retreat-style sessions can also be provided. Our goal is to provide counselling that is cost-effective and meets your needs. Rates can be adjusted on a sliding scale for clients who qualify as low-income.
Our rates are $150 for a 1 hour session.
Please call for details. 403-894-7302
FAQs
Do I need horse experience to participate?
No horse experience required. The Counsellor will provide guidance during sessions.
Will I be able to ride during the sessions?
Yes, clients can ride during the sessions. However, Blue Rein Ranch uses a person-centred approach, and riding depends on the client’s comfort. Our horses are well-trained, and sessions will occur in enclosed areas.
What is the difference between Animal Assisted Therapy versus traditional talk therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy integrates animals into the counselling process. During this process, the Counsellor will also incorporate different tools, activities, and other counselling modalities based on the client’s goals.
How much talking happens during sessions?
The Counsellor will integrate talk therapy throughout the sessions. This is based on where the client is at and what their goals are. The Counsellor will use Animal Assisted Therapy and other counselling modalities within sessions, such as CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, Strength-based counselling, and more.
What does a typical session look like?
As Blue Rein Ranch uses a person-centred approach, each session depends on the client. However, the counsellor will ask what stood out from the last session and what goals the client would like to focus on during the session. Afterward, the counsellor will select interventions and activities that will help meet the client’s goals.
How long are sessions?
Sessions may vary based on what the client would like, however the most common is typically an hour long. There are also options to attend a full day or multiple day healing retreats.
What does the intake process look like?
The intake and assessment will take place during the initial assessment. The counsellor will guide the client through the informed consent process, get some background information, and help the client to establish goals.
How can I book a session?
You can schedule an appointment by calling or texting (403-894-7302) or by clicking on the “schedule a session” link located on the website.
How much does a session cost?
The regular rate is $150.00 per hour. Clients may be able to use their work benefits. There are other funding options available as well.
What do I need to prepare for my first session?
No special equipment is required, however, clients are advised to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes.
What is the age restriction?
5 years and older.
Contact us
- +1 (403) 894-7302
- info@bluereinranch.ca
- P.O. Box 2867 | Fort Macleod, AB | T0L 0Z0
The easiest way to find us is to search Blue Rein Ranch in Google maps. Alternatively, text us and ask for driving directions.
Contact Form
