Real Stories, Real Impact

Spending time with the horses, helps me feel calmer and less anxious.

When I'm around horses, I feel like my old self again, happy.

I've enjoyed meeting new people and horses.

My moods have changed, my behaviour has improved.

I have a chance to talk and voice my feelings, with people who don't judge me.

I have learnt to respect myself and others.

Horses help me to relieve myself from negative feelings, I am able to think a little more positively.

Being around horses, outside make me feel better, I've learnt that being outside in nature is good for me.

Emotions translate through your presence.

Being in a group, understanding you're not alone and that others feel the same way.

My anxiety got better, I learnt to deal with negative emotions in a positive way.

It's ok to feel the way you do, not everyone is judging.

The horses knew I just needed a friend, when I was alone and could see no way out.

Thank you to you (Debbie) and Laura for everything you have done, you've changed my whole life and I don't suffer with panic attacks anymore. I'm enjoying my life now with the horses.

As a locality Team Manager, we commissioned Debbie and Laura to work with one of our most vulnerable teenagers, who had previously suffered appalling abuse. The Equine Assisted Talking intervention with Whispers Equine was instrumental in preparing our young person for therapy.

Our young people often have very complex needs and may have experienced significant trauma in their lives. Whispers has been instrumental in supporting the young people's emotional wellbeing, in providing them with the skills to take back some control.

In my view, the experience we had as a case holding team for this young person with Whispers Equine has been nothing short of transformative, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a therapeutic intervention where the young person perhaps 'isn't quite ready' for therapy.

There is no doubt in my mind that the course can have life changing positive impacts for young people – that is not, to my mind, an overstatement. It inevitably follows that I would recommend the programme to anybody who feels that a young person or young people that they are working with would benefit from it.

The young people I have referred into the program have made significant progress in their ability to regulate their emotions which has then enabled them to function more positively within their families and educational settings.

From a professional standpoint, the service has provided excellent reports and communication throughout their input. This aids me in my ongoing support of families and highlights any issues that may need to be addressed swiftly.

The bond formed between the child and the horses provided a unique and judgment-free space for him to navigate his emotions. Through these interactions, he discovered alternative ways to cope with and manage his anger.

The boys were able to open up and develop a relationship with the horses, demonstrating to them what a healthy relationship looks like and enabling them to experience the feeling associated with this.