As a year round resident, Sandra alternates her activities between guided trail rides, equestrian learning programs, and teaching for Borrego Springs School District. Sandra is also involved with launching the Equine Encounters program, which employs the principle of "Equine Assisted Psychotherapy." EAP is an emerging field of learning where the horses aid in the emotional growth for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Horses are acknowledged to have the power to influence people in extraordinary ways. Developing relationships, training, horsemanship instruction, and caring for horses naturally affects those involved by allowing for unique insights. The benefits of enhanced work ethic, responsibility, assertiveness, communication, and healthy relationships has been substantiated for the past twenty years by leaders in this new learning model.
During her more than thirty years in teaching grades kindergarten through the masters level in college, Sandra has dealt with learning styles, and how people process information, she now takes this one step further by combining both in the horse/human connection.
Smoketree Institute and Ranch offers courses in leadership and team building that incorporate the mirroring that horses provide to assist humans in self-empowerment and communication. Dates and times can be found at www.smoketreearabianranch.com or call (760) 767-5850.
