Becky Laugel, LCPC #1336

I was fortunate to grow up with horses. We had a small band of family horses and I learned through backyard experience, reading and organized groups like 4-H. When I was 8, my first colt was born and he became my project. I spent many hours with and on the back of my horse. We learned about life together, through both difficult and wonderful times. I enjoyed many days racing through fields and vineyards with my friends and cousins. Summer evenings I would go out and lay on his back and look up at the stars.

 

During college, young adulthood and raising families, there was little time or money for horses. Around  midlife, it seemed that men got motorcycles and women found horses. I re-connected with horses and formed another small band of horses. I went to countless conferences, clinics and workshops. I worked with people teaching horsemanship, riding and horse husbandry. In 2008, I went to my first conference for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), a budding new field that combined licensed mental health professionals, equine professionals and horses for the purpose of learning, growth and psychological healing. I had found my new pursuit.

 

After training in and learning many different emerging models for EAP, my philosophy evolved into the aspects that truly fit for me. Incorporating horses as an agent for transformation of many psychological and spiritual challenges seemed obvious. I witnessed clients and their ability make changes through their relationship, experiences and connection to these majestic creatures. Horses have life stories and experiences as well, like we do. If we listen and tune in, we will hear it, and see it and we will be the better for it.