Inspired by a childhood love of horses and a passion for human health Sonya Bigalke Bannan create her own business.university Hawaii Graduates of the Mānoa Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health own and operate Heart Horses, a unique therapeutic facility. OahuOn the North Shore of , horseback therapy and horse-based psychotherapy.

Being around horses helps clients understand how they feel
—Sonja Bigalke-Bannan

According to Bigalke-Bannan, survivors of traumatic experiences may live in a state of hypersensitivity, constantly alert to dangers and threats in ways that are detrimental to their health. Learning to free yourself from the condition can be difficult and overwhelming, and equine assisted therapy can help.

“Horses are naturally hypersensitive and have better senses than humans, but they can calm down quickly, so we can teach humans how to get out of hypervigilance,” she said. “By building a connection with horses, people can learn to ground themselves.”

Deepen your connection with horses from an early age

Bigalke-Bannan took over Heart Horses from its previous owner after obtaining a Master of Social Work. hmm Manoa in 2014.

Her love of horses began at the age of six when she took riding lessons with the Brownies. After she graduated from college, she was asked to learn horseback riding by a faculty member with Parkinson’s disease, and taught her traditional riding lessons. She then asked blind students to participate.

“Working with them was very liberating,” she said. “It’s been very inspiring to see what people can do given the chance and the right support.”

Support customers in various conditions

Heart Horses has helped a wide variety of clients with a wide range of health conditions ranging from 2 to 84 years old. Mobility-limiting conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy; biobehavioral conditions such as schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder; and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. can benefit from equine treatment.

“A horse reflects a person’s emotions. A horse’s behavior reflects a person’s energy and intentions,” says Bigalke Banan. “Being close to the horse allows the client to gain insight into their own emotions and notice patterns and behaviors that may be impeding their ability to find effective solutions.”

Heart Horses offers several treatments, including therapeutic horse riding and equine assisted psychotherapy. Therapeutic horse riding helps clients improve motor function, sitting posture and balance, reduce muscle tension, and relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

In equine-assisted psychotherapy, a session of “talk therapy” takes place with the horse in a circular pen or arena. As the patient and therapist discuss the patient’s trauma and attempt to process it, the horse is free in the enclosure and can choose to interact as the client wishes. The horse’s presence helps the patient feel safe during treatment.

Social workers conducting these sessions are trained to use these techniques and are qualified to administer these treatments. and is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapist.

partnerships and volunteers

In addition to referrals from psychotherapists and doctors, Heart Horses partners with several community organizations to help clients. They include the Wounded Warrior Project, Pearl Haven, a residential facility for adolescents who have survived sexual exploitation and trafficking, and Sprouts, a program that provides physical and occupational therapy to children.

All clients are empowered to meet their health challenges through the process of working and communicating with horses. “Everyone who comes here learns horse science, horse safety, horse care. They groom their horses and learn about equipment,” he says Bigalke-Bannan.

The facility’s many volunteers help care for the horses and maintain the facility, and come from all over the islands to California and Canada. Additionally, as an Adjunct Lecturer in Field Studies, Bigalke-Bannan supports future Social Her workers at her Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health.Harthorses serve as field placement sites MSW student.

The most rewarding aspect of Bigalke-Bannan’s work is providing people with a calm and quiet space to disconnect from the rest of their busy lives. “The farm is such a peaceful space. It provides a wonderful backdrop for healing and personal growth,” she said.