Specializing in Horse Assisted Therapies
Traditional Counseling Services & Play Therapies

Located in Metamora, Illinois on 12.5 acres

Mission Statement:

Mended Hearts is organized exclusively for charitable, benevolent, therapeutic, educational and agricultural purposes. To provide, promote and support equine-specialized interventions in the area of therapy and education for the purposes of contributing positively to the emotional, cognitive, physical and social well-being of people with emotional, behavioral, social and physical disorders, to enable them to lead lives of quality and dignity. Mended Hearts is non-discriminatory on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, and gender.  We believe in a Christ centered philosophy knowing that true and lasting healing comes only with God’s help.

Purpose:

Mended Hearts Equine Therapeutic Center was organized as a not for profit organization.  The members of the Board are primarily volunteers.  Mended Hearts was formed in October of 2001 by the unpaid efforts of the Executive Director. Mended Hearts is organized exclusively for charitable, benevolent, therapeutic, educational and agricultural purposes. To provide, promote and support equine-specialized interventions in the area of therapy and education for the purposes of contributing positively to the emotional, cognitive, physical and social well-being of people with emotional, behavioral, social and physical disorders, to enable them to lead lives of quality and dignity. Mended Hearts is non-discriminatory on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, and gender.  We believe in a Christ centered philosophy knowing that true and lasting healing comes only with God’s help.

What is Equine Specialized Psychotherapy?

Equine Specialized Psychotherapy are terms we use to describe our horse assisted approach to counseling. This “hands on” therapy allows a credentialed mental health professional to facilitate the therapeutic process with the help of a horse.

This “hands on” experiential approach to treatment allows one to receive both the benefits from the mental health professional and the proven therapeutic benefits associated in working with horses.

Benefits from this type of therapy include enhanced self-awareness and re-patterning of maladaptive behaviors, feelings and attitudes.

1. Equine Specialized Psychotherapy is a growing therapeutic method to help promote emotional growth and learning.
2. It is sometimes referred to as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy or Equine Specialized Psychotherapy.
3. It is a collaborate effort between a therapist, client and horse (a horse professional may be used if the therapist does not have the experience with managing the horse).
4. It is a “hands on approach” and classified as experiential therapy.
5. It is well-documented and proven effective and is not experimental.
6. It is an alternative to “traditional talk” therapies.
7. It is based on the here and now.
8. It is effective with clients who are resistive to traditional therapies like some adolescents.

What is the History of Equine Specialized Psychotherapy?

1. Introduced in Europe following 2 epidemics of poliomyelitis after World War II.
2. Horse therapies were documented and recognized physical and psychological benefits for hundreds of years.
3. It wasn’t until 1960’s that the medical profession recognized horses as a legitimate therapeutic tool.
4. Liz Hartel of Denmark won silver medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games despite having paralysis from Polio.
5. 1960’s First North American Riding centers (NARHA) began operatons.
6. 1970’s Cheff center opened and provided a catalyst for subsequent nation wide development of riding programs.
7. Past 5 years horse therapies research and document benefits to those with emotional, behavioral and social problems.
8. Research proves benefits of horse therapies for adults and children (NAHRA).
9. At present over 600 certified NAHRA centers exist.

Mended Hearts is a not-for-profit counseling service.  Donations and sponsors are greatly needed to help us serve those in need.