Unbridled Souls’ Programs and Services
Unbridled Souls offers Equine and Nature-Assisted Counselling and Mental Health Services to children, youth and their families. Additionally, we also provide basic therapeutic riding/horsemanship lessons and canine-assisted mental health services. We create unique sessions for each individual, group, or family by incorporating our horses (and other animal partners) into our programs and services.
Unbridled Souls was chosen as the name because we aim to “unbridle” or release the unique restrictions that hold the individual back from discovering their inner potential. Historically, the framework for “how we work with people” and “how we work with animals” can be hurtful when mandated and within a dynamic of an authoritative structure. By allowing freedom in these relationships, it ensures that we are building trust first and foremost.
Alternative Equine and Nature Assisted Counselling Services
As our primary service, we offer equine & nature assisted counselling to children, youth, and families. Through partnering with horses, dogs, goats and chickens in our therapeutic practice, we aim to engage the entire family and tailor each session to meet the client’s goals. We do not force any person or animal in any situation. Instead, we respect that all sentient beings (animals included) inherently have the right to choose their path in their unique journey. By focusing on the relationship between the individual and the animal, clients can see parallels to their feelings, thoughts, and traumas. In turn, individuals grow with, and because of the therapeutic relationship, they develop with the animals! In addition to working with animals, we also incorporate therapeutic art activities, trauma-informed yoga, and meditation into the sessions depending on the needs and goals of the individual.
Sessions are typically 90 min in length.
$150 per session + tax (CAD)
Trauma Informed Therapeutic Horsemanship & Riding Lessons
We provide trauma-informed beginner-level horsemanship lessons to children and youth between the ages of 8 and 18 who have already participated in Alternative Equine and Nature Assisted Counselling Services and have a personal goal to ride. The primary focus is to develop positive self-esteem, relationship skills, and leadership skills. Before riding, each young person will first learn how to have a positive and therapeutic relationship with the horse, basic horse communication, and other horsemanship skills like basic care and grooming. Once they have learned this, children and youth are welcome to start basic riding lessons. During this stage, young people learn how to use their verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate with the horse and take a leadership role in that relationship. Our lessons aim to empower children and youth to develop positive relationships and leadership skills and are not intended to prepare an individual for any specific type of equine sport or other riding programs. Horses will not go faster than a slow canter in this program.
Sessions are typically 45min in length
$75 per session + tax (CAD)
In-Home & Onsite Canine-Assisted Counselling Services
We offer canine-assisted counselling in various facets to people or groups of people in their homes or in public areas where Therapy Dogs are permitted. Daenerys, Unbridled Souls’ certified Therapy Dog, is a friendly, calm, and affectionate Golden Mountain Doodle. She is a large, low shedding dog and will do everything in her power to bring a big smile to your face. Daenerys enjoys taking trips to different corporate offices, visiting families in their homes, supporting young people in group care, helping to easy anxiety in stressful meetings, and assisting individuals after a major event or in times of stress.
Sessions are typically 1-3hrs.
$75 per hour + tax (CAD)
*additional travel costs may apply
Puppy Stay & Train Program
~For families with children who have special needs
This program is intended for families who have children with special needs that need to be considered when welcoming a new dog into the family. We first focus on working with the family to find the right breed of dogs and locate an ethical and appropriate breeder. Afterward, we act as the liaison between the family and breeder and work with both parties to pick the right puppy for their needs. Once identified, we provide board and ongoing training for 1 to 3 months (depending on the needs of the family) and include regular integrative visits before going home. Our goal is to provide basic obedience training, house training, kennel training, and specific training around the child’s needs to reduce barriers to families being able to integrate their 4-legged companion into their family.
Please inquire for more information & cost.
Our Team
Kerie-Lynn Hirsekorn~Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellor
Kerie-Lynn Hirsekorn is a Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellor with CYCAA (Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta) and ACTA (The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta). Kerie has been employed in the Human Services field since 2004 in various settings with a strong focus on Spirited Youth (sometimes refered to high-risk youth) and their families. Her education includes McEwan University- Bachelor of Child and Youth Care with Distinction (2008); Cornell University- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Train the Trainer (2006); YWCA: Foundations of Life Skills Coaching (2011); Child and Family Services Caseworker Delegation Training (2012). Throughout her career in Human Services, Kerie has run a Resiliency Based Life Skills program for youth, facilitated multiple support groups for pregnant and parenting teens, provided certified Crisis Intervention Training for staff and caregivers, and worked as a delegated Caseworker and Assessor for Child and Family Services.
Additionally, Kerie has received an abundance of additional training to support her practice, including but not limited to, Mental health First Aid, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Trauma Sensitive Care, Peace-Making Circle Training, Signs of Safety, Family Violence training, ongoing Aboriginal Awareness and Experiential Learning Training, ongoing First Aid training, and ongoing Suicide Intervention Training. Further to this, Kerie is also recognized as a Certified Child Development Supervisor by the Government of Alberta. She works from a strength-based and solution-focused framework and incorporates resiliency development and attachment theory into all aspects of her work with clients. Kerie’s education and experience in the mental health profession meet the prerequisite requirements for her to become certified as a Mental Health Professional as well as an Equine Facilitated Learning Professional. For more details regarding specific credentials and experience, please refer to Kerie’s current resume.
Kerie has concentrated her practice in supporting youth and families suffering from a variety of challenges, including severe trauma, addictions, various mental health conditions, sexual exploitation and gang involvement. As Kerie gained experience in the human services field and discovered the power that horses and other animals could have on the success of young people and their families to overcome life’s challenges, she decided to open her private practice. Unbridled Souls was incorporated in January of 2018 with the intention of providing Equine and Nature Assisted Counselling and Mental Health Services to children, youth and their families. Kerie started her training with Healing Hooves, under the instruction of Sue MacIntosh in May 2019, intending to become Tri Certified with Pro-EFW Canada. At this time, Kerie is in mid-process of obtaining her full Certification with Pro-EFW. As such, it is within Kerie’s scope of practice to provide equine-assisted counselling and mental health services that fall within the scope of practice as defined by CYCAA and Pro-EFW Canada on a one to one basis and under the supervision or guidance of her EFW Mentor, Sue MacIntosh.
Unbridled Souls’ Equine Counselling Partners
Starting from the left, you have Whiskey, Squires, Karma and Asha.
Whiskey is the strong, humble and sometimes shy leader of the heard. Whiskey is a gentle soul and highly sensitive to others’ needs, making him an extraordinary leader. He likes to take it slow and get to know new people and horses.
Squires is an expressive, sturdy and magnificent member of the herd, but does not physically participate in counselling or riding sessions. However, even from over the fence, Squires provides a lot of insight and laughter to sessions with his hilarious facial expressions and mischievous ways.
Karma is an affectionate, strong-willed, and playful member of the counselling team. She is a smaller hypoallergenic Bashkir Curly who gets along with everyone. People who have horse allergies may have fewer reactions to Karma than the rest of the herd.
Asha is a gentle, loving and wise soul. She is a natural caregiver and particularly fond of children. Asha is known for being calm, quiet and amazingly smooth to ride with.
Daenerys: Unbridled Souls’ Canine Counselling Partner
Daenerys has been providing therapeutic supports since January 2019 in various capacities. She is extremely calm, well mannered, and loves to cuddle; essentially, she is a large living teddy bear! Together with her human partner, Kerie-Lynn Hirsekorn, Daenerys volunteers with CAAWLS (Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness and Learning Society) and provides individual and group services to the general public on a contract basis.
Daenerys is available to have one-to-one sessions with clients, attend stressful meetings, attend gatherings, and provide wellness visits to corporate offices and non-profit agencies!.
Daenerys has had a significant impact on many individuals. She has helped people (reluctant to leaves the house) get out for long walks in the dog park (even throughout the cold winter) and overcome depression, social isolation, and other mental health concerns. She has also helped many individuals connect to supports and helps to breakdown barriers to developing healthy relationships with service providers. Daenerys has supported many individuals through stressful meetings and provides physical comfort to individuals who feel depressed or suffer from high anxiety. Daenerys has a unique calming effect on nearly everyone she meets. Simply being in her presence helps many individuals become more grounded in times of stress.
George and the Flock of Therapy Chickens
While it may seem hard to imagine, chickens have an incredibly calming effect on many individuals. Children are particularly drawn to the flock and love to spend time feeding and caring for them, fostering a sense of significance and well-being. The chickens are exceptionally skilled at helping youngsters learn patients and how to build trusting relationships. George, Unbridled Souls’ lead Therapy Rooster, is a friendly, snuggly companion. He does a fantastic job caring for and protecting his flock and is always ready to bring new individuals under his wings.
Lilo & Stitch
Meet Unbridled Souls’, wildly entertaining and sometimes clumsy Therapy Goats. They bring an exciting element to every session, and most are drawn to their adventurous personalities.
Lilo and Stitch’s excitable and friendly nature is felt by all who meet them. Children and Youth enjoy interacting, feeding and caring for them while easily encouraging a safe space to play. Lilo and Stitch love to show everyone around their large pen, get in a good cuddle, and be groomed. They help people big and small feel less anxious, more grounded and will more than likely bring a big smile to your face. The goats often provide insight into our guests’ lives by helping them to learn about attachments, boundaries, and their own alarm response.
Contact US Today!
Contact US for your free phone consultation to see if our services are the right fit for you and your family!
We look forward to hearing from you.
