donkey-therapy

Jo Sheval June 6, 2020

Worawa School Magazine Feature 2022
Holistic Equitation was featured in Worawa's school magazine in 2022 after delivering 3 terms of Equine and Art Therapy programs sponsored by Equestrian Australia and Sports Australia.
Suzi – trauma informed school
Equine Therapy Program
I had the privilege of having students I taught from a trauma informed school, participate in the equine therapy and holistic therapy program offered by Holistic Equination. I cannot speak highly enough of the experience Jo and Emma gave them through their program. For students with a history of trauma, they found the program to be incredibly healing and transformative.
The equine therapy sessions were especially powerful. Working with the horses helped them develop a deeper understanding of self and help them regulate their emotions. The gentle nature of the horses, combined with the guidance of the skilled therapists, created a safe space for them to explore their feelings.
In addition to the equine therapy, the holistic therapy offered at Holistic Equination was also incredibly beneficial. From sound and meditation, to art and drumming, each session helped them reconnect with their body and find peace within themselves.
Overall, I am so grateful for the opportunity the students had to participate in this program. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking healing and growth.

Elisabeth – Alliz

I am very grateful that I have crossed paths with both amazing Jo and Emma😊 
Jo has created a great space where you can relax and release all the tensions of every day’s life. And the organic food she offers on the day, is very nutritious and yummy, you can feel her beautiful energy xx. 
The art class I attended was very healing for me as I was on dialysis for couple of years and couldn’t use my hand, been very grateful for gaining my confidence in getting back into my art and crafts. Forever grateful to both beautiful souls. Love Elisabeth

Kerry- Sound Healing
I had no previous experience with sound healing but am so pleased I gave it a go. Jo is such a talented facilitator and intuitively used a wide variety of instruments to produce sounds that washed over me. The experience was very relaxing and calming. My body seemed to absorb the vibrations which highlighted an infection I was battling for months. After the sound healing it was gone in days. Sound healing by Jo is definitely an experience I would recommend and seek to use again myself.

I truly loved the experience!

Kerry.
Sue Lee
I have been doing equine art therapy with Emma for a couple of years and absolutely love it
The serenity of the location and beautiful animals make it an ideal place to de stress and relax

You can spend time with the horses and donkey...just chill in the paddock spend time brushing them...so relaxing

I have done numerous different types of art and these are relaxing as well as having a tangible article to take home
It's a great environment to talk about life and its challenges as is a safe place to vent with no judgement
Mel – Community Services
Our clients have had nothing but success working alongside the wonderful staff at Holistic equitation. Our clients have been able to work through trauma, manage big emotions, gain a sense of self awareness and self esteem. The staff are easy going and able quickly connect. Highly recommended.
Melanie Staples.
Amber- Neurographica – Cosmic Consciousness Conference

Thank you Jo for the introduction to Neurographica at the Norfolk Island Conference. To say that your teachings have "changed my life" would be an understatement. Since attending the conference sessions and the subsequent follow up lesson with you I have been absolutely enamoured with this art therapy and mindfulness practice. I have spent countless hours exploring and experimenting with my Neurgraphic art. Thank you for your help and insight in allowing me to further understand this unique modality.
Sue Lee

Fantastic setting, love the people, very supportive and the horses and donkey have beautiful personalities
Christine Kousidis
Would highly recommend this place. Beautiful space where all the animals are treated with such care and respect. Very knowledgeable and experienced in teaching and building trust between humans and horses.
Jenna
The space that Jo, her heard and furry friends have created is truely special. From sound healing to art therapy, an equine haven and open door kindness, it’s a holistic sanctuary for grounding and centering one’s self.
Jo has an innate intuitive ability to channel divine energy and assist you with healing mind, body and soul in the most supportive environment. Every creature is unique and offers powerful restorative recharge and clearings, Matilda the donkey needs a special mention for her magical support and meditative effect.
Jenna x
Sara Albion -client
I have been attending the equine therapy classes at Holistic Equitation for over 12 months. I love the serene atmosphere at the property and enjoy interacting with the horses. Emma and I have done lots of great art and craft and I enjoy my conversations with Emma. I have made a mosaic bird bath, jewellery, clay pieces, a drum and other art and craft items. I thoroughly recommend this service for healing and creative expression.

Sara
Mark – Sports Australia
Hey Jo,

Hope you are well. Sasha from Worawa is saying there is a significant change in the girls and that they can't wait to come back. It's pretty cool what you do. I am still thinking about how we can capture and measure outcomes!

Mark
Sports Australia
Leanorah – Worawa
Dear Jo,

Holistic Equitation was the best experience I have had. Working with the horse was nice and you too. I enjoyed spending time with you, Emma, Mariah and Oscar. Hanging out with you guys was fun.

I had fun playing with Mariah. I love how she would always steal the stick off me. Something I have learned was how you guys would care for the horses. Arts and crafts was the best. I loved it because it helps calm me down.

Do you have any feedback for me?

This is the link to the movie. It is about my grandma and I am also in it.

https://www.audreynapanangka.film

Thank you. I hope to hear from you soon.

kind regards

Leanorah W
Shantay – Worawa
Dear Jo and Emma

I am sad to say goodbye, though I thank you for taking me into your community and giving me your time and teaching me that we are not alone in this world, and that there will always be someone who understands and connects with us.

I am going to miss the animals that you’ve allowed me to connect with and I thank you for being comfortable enough for allowing us into your space along with my peers at Worawa College.

As I continue to gain work experience at another place, I will take with me all of the knowledge that you have shared and apply it as best as I can. Like you said, it’s great to put yourself out there and experience new things.

I am feeling very grateful that I have crossed paths with both of you amazing women, to see women taking charge and initiative to help change their narratives has had a powerful impact on me.

Keep spreading the love Jo and Emma.

Yours sincerely Shantay M
Shantay – Worawa
Letter to the Principle after spending time at Holistic Equitation

I am writing to request that Horses for Healing Horse therapy can become part of our program here at Worawa.

Equine therapy has been proven to have a positive effect on the human brain.

Studies show that whilst working with horses’ patients have felt the calming effects that helps clear the mind.

Students here at Worawa are facing significant mental health issues and need understanding and support. Students need to interact with trusted people to express their bottled-up emotions and feel that they are in a safe place. Being with an animal sends out calming signal to the brain, horses are beautiful gentle giants and have been proven to sense emotions, they can hear out heartbeats from 4 feet away and synchronize to ours. they are social herd animals that can communicate to each other.

The staff Horses for Healing have been through the life experiences that the Students could be experiencing or have experienced and they need to have common ground to speak to someone that not only understands but deeply knows about overcoming hard situations and can teach the students to help find solutions to cope or endure these events.

I hope that you take this into consideration on behalf of the students here at Worawa, yours sincerely

Shantay
Brooke Coad – Community Services
I love watching and hearing about my clients’ experiences when working with Jo and Emma. The transformation in the young people I have referred to the program is incredible. They come away from sessions feeling connected to their bodies and connected to the world around them. Animal therapy is something I feel very strongly about and it’s an amazing feeling knowing when I refer a client they are in the very best hands. Jo and Emma have a passion for healing it shows through in the work they do with young people and families. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else!
Elisa & Jessie
Our time with Jo, Emma and the animals have left a profound impact on us. The integration of equine therapy into their holistic approach for people with disabilities is remarkable. The therapists expertise, combined with the gentle nature of the horses create a unique healing environment. Their individualised care and the therapeutic bond between participants and horses make it a standout destination for those seeking the transformative benefits of holistic equine therapy.
It has been a truly heartwarming experience. The equine therapy sessions provided a safe and empathetic space for those with autism to connect with the horses. The patient and understanding staff, along with the calming influence of the equine companions, created a supportive environment for meaningful progress. The holistic approach to addressing the unique needs of individuals with autism sets this center apart as a place of compassion and effective therapy.

Sound Healing – Kailie

Jo is a brilliant sound healer. She is extremely intuitive and no two sessions are the same, but every session has a profound effect. 
She instinctively knows exactly what sound to play, and where in relation to my body to play it.  I always come away very relaxed.  
Jo's sound healings have unlocked difficult spots in my body, and I get mentally transported, which brings new insights into my thinking. 
These sessions are always a relaxing and fascinating experience for me. I love them!

Simone
Holistic Equitation is the epitome of Zen- a balm for your soul and filled with love and light ❤️ Jo and Emma make every visit transformative as they guide you through different forms of mindfulness and therapeutic practices with their calming presence and welcoming words. Their skills are multifaceted, and all of the gorgeous animals are counterpoint to the organic and raw healing methods offered in this beautiful haven. Come and experience the joy and peace here, and leave with your soul at ease and home-made treasures that you create to continue your healing😍 - Simone
Shadia
https://www.autismactually.com.au
A wonderful place - would highly recommend. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and are accepting and inclusive of neurodivergent conditions and different abilities. They are so respectful about their animals and are very mindful of all involved during the sessions.
Shadia
https://www.autismactually.com.au
I have been mentored by Jo Iskra since February 2018. I have been interested in learning more about emotional awareness and sense of self through horses since the age of 13.

I am on the autism spectrum and have Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and animals have been a big passion of mine since a young age. Jo’s compassion and knowledge around emotions and connections between horses and humans helped me immensely in gaining more self awareness.

She was able to guide me through the eyes of the horse to help me reflect on myself. Our sessions were enjoyable, often followed by drawing my experiences afterwards. Incorporating art aided me in solidifying concepts I had learnt with the horse and Jo.

I am also very interested in becoming an animal assisted therapist myself; Jo’s guidance and tutelage has helped me to understand better the complexity of the human-animal connection and how to help other people through their issues.

I have learnt powerful strategies to help me navigate the world such as using meditation and mindfulness to be peaceful, which will be extremely useful for me as I transition into university this year.
Jirri’s mum ~ Jo Student
Working with Jo one on one with the horses and art therapy has significantly impacted Jirri. She has learnt so much about herself, others and horses and has improved dramatically in her leadership skills and confidence at school. Thank you, she loves the time she spends with you.
Youth Justice
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Kathryn
Dear Kailie and Jo,

Thanks for a wonderful 2 days in exploring the relationship between a horse and their human. Learning about the personalities that drive/guide us and how necessary individual approaches are I found quite illuminating and have taken on the techniques discussed and tested, all of which I have found to be extremely helpful. For people who recognise that a positive relationship between the horse and yourself is paramount, the HE Team and their clinics is for you and for me.

Looking forward to the next clinic.
Regards
Dorothee ~ France
What a beautiful and unforgettable experience!!
I came to learn a different approach to horses, and in the end I learned a different approach to Life!!
I came for one month, and decided to extend my stay two more months as a live in student!

Jo is very open minded and would answer all of my questions! So I did not hesitate to ask!
I was completely part of the family, Jo is also an excellent cooks and I ate really healthy food.
The farm is beautiful, the perfect place to reconnect with Nature.

I learned a lot while observing the horses herds, and was taught by Jo who's knowledge is very extensive.
If you care about the animals this is the place to be, you will learn how to develop a relationship with them instead of using them and that makes all the difference.

At the time Jo was raising baby kangaroos, so I had the Chance to help care for the baby kangaroos that she rescued. So lucky I know!! They are amazing animals!!

I recommend definitely Holistic Equitation if you seek to improve your knowledge and spirituality and of course the horses, if you wish to open your mind, Jo would be happy to help you!

I will always remember this experience and I feel like I found an Ozzie family!

I am grateful and thankful for this unique experience.
Iris Zeuss ~ Germany
I stayed for one week at Holistic Equitation and have to say that this amazing woman, Jo gave me some food for thought. She is really nice and I learn't a lot. How to do work around the farm and care for horses. Thank you Jo. for telling me so much about healthy food. I will definitely try and eat healthier.
You will like it there .. and wait until you see how Jo talks to the animals :) She is fantastic. Thank you so much. Hope we will keep in touch. Thanks for everything.
DANKESCHON
Lee ~ Student of Kailie
He was really good again today and much more relaxed. I know I am making good progress. I am learning more from him (the horse) than I could have dreamed of! I feel like I am growing so much with every step I am taking. This is so exciting for me!
Child Student’s mother
It’s so lovely that you take such an active interest in her, both inside and outside the horse world - she really is so lucky and grateful to have met someone so holistically connected to her interests.
Lee ~ Clinic Participant
“Wow, what a few days. What a wonderful experience for both my horse and I! The bond between us has deepened significantly and his trust in my leadership has soared. Thank you!”
Sarah ~ Clinic Participant
Hi Jo,

Thank you so much for having us at the clinic in January. It was wonderful, and so peaceful, to be amongst an entire group of like minded people. As I said to Kailie, it was lovely to not have to shut up for fear of weirding people out!
Fiona ~ Clinic Participant
Hi Jo,

Firstly a huge thank you to both you and Kailie for all the hard work that you put into the clinic, both in preparation of your property and planning, and also the work on the actual two days of the clinic. It was a really great experience for me, and I think for all the others at the clinic as well - just the right mix of people and personalities. And thank you so much for the patience with my girl in the loading at the end of the day on Friday - she came off the float well
Rosie ~ Clinic Participant
I had such a great time at your place, I think what you and your amazing team bring to the horse world is very beautiful, unique and a much needed source of knowledge and support.

Thank you also, for sharing your own personal experiences - it takes such strength to get through what you have faced.
Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre – Annette Hatherly
Equine Facilitated Learning Program conducted at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre Oct 2012

This program conducted for the disengaged young men in custody, was again one of the most powerful and moving experiences I have ever had the privilege to observe.
The clients were able to express their potential leadership qualities and explore their soft skills in a non-threatening way.

It was almost unbelievable to see some of these young men relax and be enthusiastic, gentle participants in all of the activities around the horses.

Over the two days they developed and learnt horse-handling and communication skills they never thought would be possible, as well as became more connected with their peers and definitely improved their interpersonal skills.

They have not stopped talking about the program since.

I believe this program goes along-way to helping these young offenders develop self-esteem and ready them for re-connection with their community.

Thank you so much.

Cheers
Annette Hatherley