Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center is partnering with HorseMpower and HOPE (HOrses helping PEeople) to offer a free equine-facilitated psychotherapy group for adult female survivors of sexual violence. The program begins November 10, 2018, and those interested in participating must register by November 9.
Interested individuals are not required to have reported the crime to participate. The group will use human-horse interactions and activities to work through victimization issues. Participants need not have experience with horses. Sessions will be conducted by Licensed Psychologist and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Dr. Marilyn Sokolof, and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Memree Stuart. The group will meet at HOPE's therapeutic riding facility in Archer.
“HorseMPower provided an environment where I was surrounded by women who understood me. The group was a place where I came to feel happy, accepted, safe, and supported,” said a HorseMPower graduate. “The horses allowed me to bond and build trust with an animal who responded with love. My horse would relax when I was present and make noises to gain my attention. It felt good to be connected like that.”
For more information and to register, contact Alachua County Victim Advocate Counselor Amy K. Cummings-Aponte at 352-264-6769 or 1-866-252-5439.