Shannon Knapp of Horse Sense, Shares Expertise at Workshop

In early February, Shannon Knapp, Founder of Horse Sense of the Carolinas, traveled to Prescott College in Arizona to present a Business Building workshop to Masters Level students & regional practitioners in Equine Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). Through this collaborative learning workshop Ms. Knapp shared the essential components she has applied to creating her program in Western North Carolina. This workshop provided critical business basics to students and practitioners in the field of EAMH and EAL.

Six Masters' level students and four practitioners attended this intensive workshop which was hosted by Centaur Leadership Services and the Prescott College Master of Arts Program at Chauncey Ranch in Mayer, Arizona. Over the 3 days, participants learned from Ms. Knapp what goes into starting and developing an equine-based business.

Prior to the workshop in Arizona, twelve of the industry leaders in the growing equine assisted mental health field from international organizations and colleges in the United States gathered to participate in an historic meeting to discuss the future of the field. In attendance were Lynn Thomas and Mickey DiGiacomo of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA); Ariana Strozzi, June Gunter, and Alyssa Aubrey of the Equine Guided Education Association (EGEA); Trish Broersma representing Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA); Lissa Pohl with the University of Kentucky; Dr. Anne Perkins with Carroll College; Dr. Tracy Weber with Prescott College; Eleanor Criswell Hanna with Sonoma State and the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training; Shannon Knapp of Horse Sense of the Carolinas, Inc. and Pat Wagner of OnTrack for Life, Inc. who facilitated the meeting. From this 2-day discussion, three main needs were identified & plans were made for another meeting in spring 2009 to continue the discussion on how the EGEA, EAGALA and EFMHA organizations can better support members in this field and to create more credibility and unity in the field.

Horse Sense of the Carolinas, Inc. is a nationally recognized experiential learning and therapeutic resource for individuals, families, schools, business and mental health professionals. Horse Sense utilizes authentic learning experiences to foster life skills and character development. Located in western North Carolina, Horse Sense uses experiential learning modalities to develop positive emotional, mental, behavioral and social skills of those who may be at risk or have special needs. Horse Sense has been creating positive change for people and horses in Western North Carolina since 2003 and is an EAGALA-approved Provider of Continuing Education, with the first EAGALA Advanced Certified staff in the United States.

For more information about Horse Sense of the Carolinas, Inc., please call (828) 683-7304 or visit the website: www.HorseSenseBusiness.com