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In March of 2004, Kimberly Mendoza of Alvin and Kathie Yates of Friendswood,
founded Stable-Spirit with the idea of creating a win-win solution that
would restore balance, harmony, and well being to people experiencing
mental and emotional pain by bringing them together with horses healing
from similar experiences. Stable-Spirit is a nonprofit organization
currently operating in Alvin, Texas with the mission to serve individuals
using equine assisted modalities that promote positive mental
health and development. Equine assisted psychotherapy and equine experiential
development are the two basic approaches offered to clients.
Client testimonial: "I am very grateful to the Stable-Spirit
horses. During the activities, they were so aware of what I was feeling,
when I was not, they were able to reveal to me how my thinking was affecting
my feelings, and how my feelings were affecting my behavior and my success,
or lack of success. From that awareness, I started thinking about my
approach differently, my feelings changed, and I was able to be much
more successful in the activities. I have been able to carry this awareness
into my personal life and the positive changes I've been able to make
there have made a huge difference in the quality of my relationships,
both personally and professionally. I will never forget the lessons
I experienced at Stable-Spirit. Very empowering!"
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
Stable-Spirit serves youth and adults experiencing mental health crises
through EAP with a special interest in helping troubled youth, underprivileged
individuals and victims of crimes, crisis and trauma.
In EAP, an equine professional and licensed therapist, involve horses
in experiential activities on the ground in a nonthreatening way. This
technique is highly effective because horses have a keen awareness of
body language and will mirror the feelings and intentions of others
in their environment. They provide a neutral medium for transference,
capture and hold attention, rapidly break down defense barriers, provide
immediate, honest, nonjudgmental feedback and magnificently reflect
the inherent beauty of life itself.
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EAP effectively addresses a variety of mental health needs including,
but not limited to: behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, substance
abuse, eating disorders, abuse issues, depression, anxiety, relationship
problems, communication skill development, and skills for surviving
bullying, assault, rape, theft, stalking, surviving a disaster, loss,
or other traumatic experience.
The results of EAP include, but are not limited to: an increase in
self-confidence, self-esteem, assertiveness, hope, joy, and the ability
to function normally, a decrease in guilt, anxiety and shame, improved
relationship and communications skills, improved respect for others,
development of anger management and conflict resolution skills, establishment
of boundaries, and increased problem solving abilities.
EAP client testimonial: "You facilitated the learning process
in a fun and extremely effective way. I would never have believed the
horses could have provided such tremendous insight. I am stunned by
the clarity this therapy provides and look forward to learning more.
It's erie how the truth comes out."Equine Experiential Development
(EED)
Stable-Spirit also provides training and development opportunities
to companies, groups and individuals through EED.
In EED, an equine professional and success coach involve horses in
experiential activities on the ground with a focus toward relating interactions
with the horses to interactions in the organization, or in life. It
is amazing how the horses’ response to clients reveals strengths
and weaknesses, offering a powerful experiential opportunity to determine
what is needed to effect positive change. EED can be compared to a ROPES
course, but has the added advantage of using live beings that respond
to our intentions.
The results of EED include, but are not limited to enhancement of
the following skills: management and leadership, problem solving, team
building, communication, and goal setting. Additional benefits include
an increase in motivation, confidence, and most importantly, an increase
in the bottom line.
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EED client testimonial: "My experience taught me that I don't
have to figure things out by myself. I can ask for help. Team work makes
goals easier to reach. Each activity built on the last one, facilitating
insight and learning that I could apply to my job."
Income generated from Stable-Spirit's EED trainings, paying EAP clients,
grants, and donations fund the nonprofit side of Stable-Spirit's organization
providing mental health services to their EAP clients that need assistance
and to the care of their horses. Many of Stable-Spirit's therapy clients
are not able to pay for services without assistance or reduced rates.
Most of Stable-Spirit's horses were rescued from abusive circumstances
or adopted from situations where their quality of life was declining.
The horses now thrive in a caring and loving environment, and provide
a unique dynamic that helps clients find healing and understanding.
On July 3rd, one of Stable-Spirit's primary supporters was killed
in a tragic plane crash which has left them in a bit of a financial
crisis and very much in need of donations. If you are interested in
supporting Stable-Spirit, please go to the donation page of their website:http://www.stable-spirit.org/
Donations.html. They have a wish list for any tangible items you may
want to donate including everything from fly spray and feed to a horse
trailer and tractor. Cash donations, any amount, are enthusiastically
welcome. A tax deductible receipt will be provided for all tangible
and cash donations.
Volunteers are also welcome. This is a great way to acquire community
service hours for students and adults desiring to better themselves.
Stable-Spirit will be conducting a volunteer recruitment day on October
15. To find out more about this and other volunteer opportunities, go
to their events page: http://www.stable-spirit.org/ Events.html.
Stable-Spirit
10592 Gaulding Road
Beaumont, TX 77705
Office 409-794-1371
Cell 409-365-5277
info@stable-spirit.org
www.stable-spirit.org
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