“A new department you’re proposing to head up, which would involve me hiring another therapist to pick up the slack—something that wasn’t in the budget this year,” Theo countered, not to my surprise.
“Not necessarily,” I countered back. “I can incorporate this new program with at least half my current client list while we work out the kinks. Then, word will get out, and the influx of new patients that this program will bring to Kline and Associates will more than cover the cost of a new therapist.” I slid him the business proposal I’d worked weeks on. “As you can see here, the startup costs are very minimal due to the fact we will partner with Ms. Massey and use her stable and her horses. The program will run primarily on volunteers, with Ms. Massey as the director and myself as the therapist. You already pay me, so no additional cost there. We already have a website and can add theprogram to our current marketing materials, so there are no additional costs there, either. As you know, the hardest part with any new company or service is getting your name out there initially—we already have that. Kline and Associates is the biggest mental health clinic in the area, and has a stellar reputation. The greatest cost will be maintaining the grounds and providing medical care for the horses. Lastly,” I clicked my pen and pointed to the paper. “This is my suggested fee for the program, per patient, and an estimated profit and loss statement for the first year. I broke it into two columns, one without hiring an additional therapist and one with. Both columns include the amount of new business we would need to not only break even, but make a profit.” I circled my projected first-year net revenue—which was nothing to sneeze at. “But that number is nothing compared to the number of people we will help with this new program.”
With that point, a spark of energy, an excitement, shot through me. I slid him another document, this one with bulleted facts and figures. My favorite document, of course.
“As you know, over twenty percent of Americans have some sort of anxiety disorder, including PTSD, ranging from children to aging adults. Equine Assisted Therapy, or EAT for short, is proven to improve symptoms of a wide range of issues including depression, dementia, genetic disorders, developmental delays, traumatic brain injuries, behavioral issues, the list goes on and on.” I tapped the paper. “There are several studies marking the improvement of brain functioning, via MRI imaging, of patients who were part of EAT studies. One study included a group of children with ADHD, and another a group of veterans with documented PTSD. It’s really promising stuff. Exciting.”
June smiled.
Theo crossed his arms over his chest. “Okay, so tell mehow.How does it work?”
“There are different buckets of techniques within equine therapy that we would apply, based on the patient’s need. The most common would be applying it as cognitive therapy. This would be used to treat anxiety, PTSD, behavioral issues, etcetera, and would involve addressing the patient’s anxious response to new situations, such as the horse. This EAT technique works because of two main components: Horses mirror human behavior, and are hyper sensitive to their environments.”
He cocked his head.
“Let me explain further. The therapy begins with introducing the patient to a new, uncharted experience—interacting with the horse. This will trigger symptoms of anxiety, which the horse immediately senses and responds in the same way, mirroring the patient’s anxious demeanor. This forces the patient to push through the emotions, because in order to work with the horse, the patient has to foster a calm interaction. There is no other way. The patient has to shift focus from their own anxiety, to the horse’s, and will notice that the horse will not calm until they do. This teaches them to acknowledge and identifyautomatic thoughts—the trained behavior of anxiety—with the end goal of learning how to control that automatic response. But that’s only part of it. The key here is the horse is a safe zone for them. It’s not a judgmental family member, a friend, or someone who makes them feel like they aren’t good enough. The horse is unbiased and forgiving. The horse doesn’t talk back. The only way to make the horse calm, is for the patient to be calm. To learn tocontroltheir behavior. Then, repeat, repeat, repeat, until the new learned behavior replaces what was once debilitating anxiety, anger, panic, or whatever the casemay be. The therapy retrains their brain, thereby retraining their thoughts and behaviors. It’s amazing, Theo.”
I handed him another document.
“Beyond cognitive, there is PracticingTherapy which involves carrying out actual duties and chores with the horses where the patients will participate in new activities, new experiences that they would usually avoid. This includes bathing or feeding the horses and gives them a sense of accomplishment, aiding in their self-confidence and self-esteem. Last, is Play and Communication Therapy. This is geared toward creating relationships in group play settings and building communication and language skills. This is the most common form of equine therapy for children. Again, the key here is that horses are not ‘judgmental humans.’ They are smart, gentle, forgiving creatures who mirror human behavior, which makes them ideal in therapy.”
I was on a roll, so I kept it up.
“The closest Equine Therapy facility is three hours away, and according to my visit there, has to turn patients away. Offering an EAT program in Berry Springs would not only bring new patients to Kline and Associates, but would help people who might not turn to therapy in the first place. It’s different. It’s not the dreaded, cliché couch-time, ‘tell-me-about-your-feelings’ stuff.” And then I brought it back home with, “Kline would be the only registered EAT provider within a hundred mile radius, which would increase our patient roster exponentially.”
“And how are you going to do that?” He asked. “Ensure that the patient roster increases exponentially?”
“By going on a good ol’ sales route. I plan to pitch our program to the area VA hospitals first, then physical and occupational therapy clinics after that, and finally, to fostercare facilities and children’s shelters.” A lump caught in my throat.
June quickly picked up the torch. “I’ve already met with my bank to begin the paperwork on turning my stable into a non-profit organization.”
I nodded. “And I’ve already completed my application to obtain my equine therapy certification.”
“Back to school, sales route… all this with your current client portfolio?”
“I can do it.”
“Yes, she can.” June nodded. “And I can help.”
Theo leaned back and focused on me. A solid minute ticked by as I stared back on pins and needles.
This was met with?—
“Where’re you taking me for lunch?”
3
ROSE
My car slid through a puddle of mud, bumper grinding onto the sidewalk. I threw it in reverse, wincing as it scraped off the concrete.
Two cane-toting, Wrangler-wearing cowboys watched from the awning, rain dripping off their hats. One—handlebar mustache and all—muttered, “Damn women drivers.” The other spit tobacco into the ditch.
Exhaling, I glanced at the clock.
3:37 p.m.
Late.Again.
