About Hunkapi programs, inc
Hunkapi Programs, Inc. - Empowering Lives through Equine Therapy
Open Your Heart. I am related to everyone. hun•ka•pi /hun-kah-pee/ - A Lakota word.
Hunkapi Programs, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides equine therapy services to individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona. The organization was founded in 2004 by Terra Schaad and her husband Rich Schaad with the aim of empowering lives through equine therapy.
The heritage of HUNKAPI is grounded in the idea of "hunka," which means "to adopt" or "to make kin." This concept reflects the organization's belief that we are all connected and that we can help each other by adopting a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Equine therapy is a form of experiential therapy that involves working with horses to promote emotional growth and healing. Horses are highly intuitive animals that can sense human emotions and respond accordingly. Equine therapy sessions at Hunkapi Programs involve activities such as grooming, feeding, leading, riding, and playing games with horses under the guidance of trained therapists.
The benefits of equine therapy are numerous for individuals with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP), Down syndrome (DS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, addiction recovery issues or any other mental health condition.
Equine-assisted activities have been shown to improve social skills such as communication skills; increase self-esteem; reduce anxiety; develop trust; enhance problem-solving abilities; improve balance & coordination; increase muscle strength & flexibility; decrease aggression & impulsivity among others.
At Hunkapi Programs Inc., they offer various programs tailored to meet individual needs including therapeutic riding lessons for children aged 3-18 years old who have special needs or disabilities like ASD or CP while their adult program offers therapeutic horsemanship sessions for adults aged 18 years old above who have mental health conditions like PTSD or depression among others.
Their veterans' program provides free equine-assisted psychotherapy services for military veterans suffering from PTSD while their corporate wellness program offers team-building exercises using horses as facilitators which helps employees learn how to communicate better while building trust amongst themselves thereby improving productivity at work.
In addition to providing equine-assisted therapies on-site at their facility located in Scottsdale Arizona USA they also offer mobile services where they bring their horses out into communities across Maricopa County so people can experience firsthand what it's like working alongside these majestic creatures without having to travel far from home!
Hunkapi Programs has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach towards helping people overcome challenges through horse-based therapies by organizations such as PATH International which awarded them its prestigious Premier Accredited Center status in recognition of excellence in providing quality programming using best practices within the industry standards set forth by PATH Intl., an international governing body overseeing all aspects related specifically towards therapeutic horsemanship programs worldwide.
In conclusion,
If you're looking for an effective way to empower your life through horse-based therapies then look no further than Hunkapi Programs Inc.! Their experienced team will work closely with you every step along your journey towards achieving your goals whether it be improving social skills or reducing anxiety levels amongst others! With over 15 years' experience providing high-quality programming using best practices within industry standards set forth by PATH Intl., there's no doubt why this non-profit organization has become one-of-a-kind when it comes down helping those most vulnerable members within our society!