PEONIES and MY MOTHER’S GARDEN

When I was about three years old my older brother and I, would “help” our mother with chores around the farm. That is, we would imitate as best as we could whatever she was doing. We would hold the pail for the calf to drink his milk, give the cows their grain, feed the cats and catch the little kittens to play with them and tame them. We would go to the chicken coop to gather eggs in wire baskets, every morning and evening and then wash them to be sold to the egg man who would pick them up in cardboard egg crates or boxes. Our daily life was filled with nurturing the world around us, caring for each of God’s creatures and providing for our family. We also had strawberries, ground cherries, raspberries, and apple orchards of various kinds of apples, plum trees, vegetables and flower gardens. We would imitate our mother as she planted seeds, potatoes, onions and flower bulbs, and gathered in the produce, picking berries, apples and cuttings from her gardens. Obviously we were too young to understand all of this, yet the memory of it, as part of our daily life is vivid.
My mother had many little flower gardens that were the result of a stump being removed or where the hogs had gotten out and rooted up a grassy area. This fresh black dirt offered a perfect fertile ground for transplanting perennials like Peonies or Irises. As a result of this we had many huge and beautiful Peony bushes. In an effort to be helpful, my brother and I decided we would be innovative. Each year the Peonies would bloom heavily and have hundreds of buds that looked like little green eggs. We had watched our mother pick the eggs and place them in her wire basket. So we found her wire basket and began filling it with the Peony buds, until we had collected all of them. We proudly presented our harvest to our mother who, remarkably, thanked us for our hard work, admired the buds she had been anticipating all winter. Instead of scolding us, she saw the gift we were giving her. We had offered her our little treasures. We were sure we were giving something very grand to the person who we loved the most.
It seems that when the Peonies arrive, so does summer with all its festivities and family gatherings, the end of the school year, graduations, weddings and Memorial Day. There were many years when there would be only a few early Lilacs for our cemeteries, or perhaps a few Lilies or Spirea. It was only when the Peonies arrived that we had beautiful bouquets of pink and white with our lavender Irises to offer in memorial. This spring I celebrate 60 years with Peonies. They were a big part of my childhood, each birthday party and part of my high-school graduation celebration. They were my choice of flower at our wedding, June 2, 1973. They were the choice of flower at our daughter’s wedding June 11, 2005. They are the center of my floral painting in my home and decorate our table each year. They remind me of happy days, memories of loved ones, and they give me hope for happy days. When we moved to the farm in 1995 we moved all those random gardens planted by my mother to one place where all her special flowers have continued to grow and remind us each spring of her grace and love for us.

EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Say equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) to people and they instantly think assisted riding. However, EAP is in fact much more than that. EAP is an experiential form of therapy using horses to help children, adolescents and families use metaphors to recover from emotional and behavioral problems through participating in activities with rescued horses. It has been proven to help children improve in self-confidence, conflict resolutions, relationships, and recover from depression, aggression, low self-esteem, and loneliness. It has shown to be effective in addressing hostility, poor impulse control and attention span.

Why horses? Horses have a unique ability to read and immediately respond to human verbal and non-verbal communications. With this the horse acts as a mirror for the human participant and they possess an effective ability to confront the attitudes and behaviors that are problematic. The activities are physical as well as emotional in nature making them a much more dynamic forum for confronting the child’s issues. Through a series of activities constructed by the equine specialist and the psychologist present, the horses and humans interact on the ground in a powerful, emotion-eliciting experience. It is the participant’s interpretation of the interaction that is the catalyst for change.

EAP has been in use for at least thirty years and numerous studies have proven it is more powerfully and efficiently change-making than traditional talk therapy. Through the process of risk-taking the children can test and improve their abilities to control themselves and their surroundings. Horses are also non-judgemental and offer children the ability to learn that to change the horses’ behavior they must change their own behaviors, thoughts and feelings.

No previous knowledge of horses is necessary. They are a mirror to yourselves, they are there to teach you. EAP has proven to be very effective in addressing issues such as:

SELF-CONTROL PEER PRESSURE
MOOD DISORDERS ANGER
IRRITABILITY ALIENATION
DISTRUST ADDICTION
OPPOSITIONAL BEHAVIOR FOCUS PROBLEMS
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS FROM ABUSE

At Turning Point Stable you will be able to experience this powerful form of psychotherapy under the guidance of an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Ardelle Peters and Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sharon Davern. Ms. Davern has over thirty years of experience in working in the mental health field with trauma including at-risk children, corrections and special education. Ms. Peters has over thirty years as an RN. They will be with you and the horses the entire time you participate but will allow you to create your own experiences toward a resolution of your symptoms and form closer, more quality relationships.
For appointment or more information call: 507-657-5420 or 507-534-2668.

EAP FOR VETERANS

EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR VETERANS

Say equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) to people and they instantly think assisted riding. However, EAP is in fact much more than that. EAP is an experiential form of therapy using rescue horses to help veterans use metaphors to recover from PTSD through participating in activities with the horses. It has been proven to help Veterans recover and develop the ability to make future plans, belief in their capabilities, strengths, and generally in themselves, develop the ability to communicate feelings and thoughts openly, develop new skills in problem solving and an ability to cope effectively with intense emotions and behaviors.

Why horses? Horses have a unique ability to read and immediately respond to human verbal and non-verbal communications. With this the horse acts as a mirror for the human participant and they possess an effective ability to confront the fears, releasing grief, managing addictions, communicating more clearly, increasing the ability to trust again and other issues. Through a series of activities (using rescued horses) constructed by the equine specialist and the psychologist present, the horses and humans interact on the ground in a powerful, emotion-eliciting experience. It is the participant’s interpretation of the interaction that is the catalyst for change.

EAP has been in use for at least thirty years and numerous studies have proven it is more powerfully and efficiently change-making than traditional talk therapy. This allows the veterans an opportunity to not just sit and talk about how to manage their fear and other emotions but they actually get to do something to manage them. Numbed emotions are often elicited and coping styles are developed through these experiences. Change occurs more quickly and more profoundly. EAP offers an experiential alternative that achieves a deep personal awareness and allows the veteran to devise new ways of interacting during the experience.

No previous knowledge of horses is necessary. They are a mirror to yourselves, they are there to teach you. EAP has proven to be very effective in addressing symptoms such as:

NIGHTMARES ANXIETY
DEPRESSION ANGER
IRRITABILITY ALIENATION
DISTRUST OTHER PTSD SYMPTOMS


At Turning Point Stable you will be able to experience this powerful form of PTSD therapy under the guidance of an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Ardelle Peters and Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sharon Davern. Ms. Davern has over thirty years of experience in working in the mental health field with trauma including veterans. Ms. Peters has over thirty years as an RN. They will be with you and the horses the entire time you participate but will allow you and your loved one to create your own experiences toward a resolution of your symptoms and form closer, more quality relationships.
For appointment or more information call: 507-657-2540 or 507-534-2668.

EQUINE ASSISTED LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING

EQUINE ASSISTED LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING

Say equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) to people and they instantly think assisted riding. However, EAP is in fact much more than that. EAP is an experiential form of therapy using horses to help people learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses. It has been proven to help individuals and couples become stronger in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and interaction with others.

Why horses? Horses have a unique ability to read and immediately respond to human verbal and non-verbal communications. With this the horse acts as a mirror for the human participant and they possess an effective ability to confront the behaviors and attitudes of the participants. Through a series of activities constructed by the equine specialist and the psychologist present, the horses and humans interact on the ground in a powerful, emotion-eliciting experience.
It is the participant’s interpretation of the interaction that is the catalyst for change.

EAP has been in use for at least thirty years and numerous studies have proven it is more powerfully and efficiently change-making than traditional team building. Traditional team building can be sedentary and dry, relying on flip charts and powerpoint for change. Using EAP the participants themselves see first hand how their behavior is ineffective and need to work together to make it different. Change occurs more quickly and more profoundly. Often times a person cannot see how their approach hinders theirs or the team’s goals. EAP offers an experiential alternative that achieves a deep personal awareness and allows the person and the team to devise new ways of interacting during the experience.
No previous knowledge of horses is necessary. They are a mirror to yourselves, they are there to teach you.

CAN YOUR professional life BENEFIT BY IMPROVING;

COMMUNICATION?

CONFLICT RESOLUTION?

PROBLEM SOLVING?

Goal achievement and RESPECT?

At Turning Point Stable you will be able to experience this powerful form of team building under the guidance of an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Ardelle Peters and Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sharon Davern. Ms. Davern has over thirty years of experience in working in the mental health field with relationships. Ms. Peters has over thirty years as an RN. They will be with you and the horses the entire time you participate but will allow you and your co-workers to create your own experiences toward a closer, more quality relationship. Individuals may utilize private sessions to build their sales and interaction skills.
For appointment or more information call: 507-657-2540 or 507-534-2668.

EAP for VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Say equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) to people and they instantly think assisted riding. However, EAP is in fact much more than that. EAP is an experiential form of therapy using rescued horses to help victims of domestic violence use metaphors to recover from emotional and behavioral problems through participating in activities with the horses. It has been proven to help people improve in self-confidence, conflict resolutions, relationships, and recover from depression, aggression, low self-esteem, and loneliness. It is a phenomenal tool to use for self-empowerment.

Why horses? Horses have a unique ability to read and immediately respond to human verbal and non-verbal communications. With this the horse acts as a mirror for the human participant and they possess an effective ability to confront the attitudes and behaviors that are problematic and through conquering the activities an increased sense of self-esteem, empowerment and self-acceptance. The activities are physical as well as emotional in nature making them a much more dynamic forum for confronting the fear of abuse. Through a series of activities (using rescued horses) constructed by the equine specialist and the psychologist present, the horses and humans interact on the ground in a powerful, emotion-eliciting experience. It is the participant’s interpretation of the interaction that is the catalyst for change.

EAP has been in use for at least thirty years and numerous studies have proven it is more powerfully and efficiently change-making than traditional talk therapy. Through the process of risk-taking the victims develop coping and problem solving skills that define self-competence.

No previous knowledge of horses is necessary. They are a mirror reflection of you. They are there to teach you. EAP has proven to be very effective in addressing issues such as:

FEAR LOW SELF-ESTEEM
MOOD DISORDERS ANGER
SELF-TRUST ALIENATION
DISTRUST ADDICTION
OTHER EMOTIONAL DISTRESS FROM ABUSE

At Turning Point Stable you will be able to experience this powerful form of psychotherapy under the guidance of an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Ardelle Peters and Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sharon Davern. Ms. Davern has over thirty years of experience in working in the mental health field with trauma including domestic violence. Ms. Peters has over thirty years as an RN. They will be with you and the horses the entire time you participate but will allow you to create your own experiences toward a resolution of your symptoms and form closer, more quality relationships and an empowered life.
For appointment or more information call: 507-657-2540 or 507-534-2668.

EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR RELATIONSHIPS

Say equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) to people and they instantly think assisted riding. However, EAP is in fact much more than that. EAP is an experiential form of therapy using RESCUED horses to help people learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses. It has been proven to help individuals and couples become stronger in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and interaction with others.

Why horses? Horses have a unique ability to read and immediately respond to human verbal and non-verbal communications. With this the horse acts as a mirror for the human participant and they possess an effective ability to confront the behaviors and attitudes of the participants. Through a series of activities, (using rescued horses) constructed by the equine specialist and the psychologist present, the horses and humans interact on the ground in a powerful, emotion-eliciting experience.
It is the participant’s interpretation of the interaction that is the catalyst for change.

EAP has been in use for at least thirty years and numerous studies have proven it is more powerfully and efficiently change-making than traditional talk therapy. Traditional talk relationship counseling is often characterized by the participants just continuing their dysfunctional patterns in a therapist’s office with the therapist attempting to sort out and interpret these patterns while offering suggestions for change. Using EAP the participants themselves see first hand how their behavior is ineffective and need to work together to make it different. Change occurs more quickly and more profoundly. Often times one or more participant is not willing to sit and talk about their problems, EAP offers an experiential alternative that achieves a deep personal awareness and allows the couple to devise new ways of interacting during the experience.

No previous knowledge of horses is necessary. They are a mirror reflection of you. They are there to teach you.

CAN YOUR RELATIONSHIP BENEFIT BY IMPROVING:

COMMUNICATION?

CONFLICT RESOLUTION?

PROBLEM SOLVING?

INTIMACY AND RESPECT?

At Turning Point Stable you will be able to experience this powerful form of relationship therapy under the guidance of an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, Ardelle Peters and Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sharon Davern. Ms. Davern has over thirty years of experience in working in the mental health field with relationships. Ms. Peters has over thirty years as an RN. They will be with you and the horses the entire time you participate but will allow you and your loved one to create your own experiences toward a closer, more quality relationship.
For appointment or more information call: 507-657-2540 or 507-534-2668.

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT

Sometimes it is hard to have enough vision to see what is really possible or valuable. I sure didn’t see this Christmas coming. I should know better. When my husband Dan says, “I’ve been thinking” we have come to expect some idea has been formulated in his mind that is beyond our wildest imagination. Sometimes we roll our eyes, and sometimes he makes us smile and join him in his journey through fantasy land, trying to imagine just how on earth he will make his dream come true.

Before we were married, and Dan was in school, he harvested a good number of Walnut trees. Being the industrious young man that he was, he obtained a lumber mill, which he used to make dimensional boards from these trees. He stacked his huge, heavy pile of boards and restacked them so they would cure dry naturally over time. When we were married in 1973 he used some of these boards to make me a beautiful solid Walnut kitchen and a few pieces of furniture. A huge pile remained. Dan continued to restack the boards periodically so they would remain straight, sometimes relocating to different buildings for storage. We also have moved thirteen times in our marriage until we settled on the farm in 1995. This Walnut has continued to be moved and restacked MANY MANY times in the past fifteen years. I have often thought it was pretty worthless and a great deal of work to take care of this wood. I wanted to sell it many times, even placing adds in papers for someone to buy it. I never had anyone interested. I was hopeful it would ALL be put to good use when our son Nathan used it for a kitchen in his home. It was and is beautiful, but it didn’t make a dent in the pile of lumber that occupied a large portion of our storage shed. So you can see, even though it had been put to good use it seemed like friendship bread, it just kept being there. I had no idea there was so much wood in that pile. What good would it ever be? Until recently, Dan was thinking.

We went to the fair in August and saw the draft horses being driven. It wasn’t the first time we have seen draft horses, but for some reason it was appealing to Dan. As we have become grandparents we have tried to find unique ways to build memories for our children and their families. Our farm has been in our family since 1876 and has had a long history of horses and the life associated with them. It seems only natural to blend that heritage with a historical experience that children can experience. So Dan “was thinking”. “What could we do for Christmas to build a memory?” At about the same time our friend offered us his Percheron stallion Cody. It was a huge endeavor. We knew little about draft horses and driving, but Dan wanted to learn and that always makes me happy. We took Cody to a trainer and bought a second horse, Ben, to be his teammate. Once they were going well we started lessons together to learn how to do this safely. We were eager, but not all that quick to learn. As Dan asked questions he started to formulate an idea. He found an antique sled that needed a box on it. He could build a box, but what should it look like? He sat for hours searching the web for ideas. Finally he had an idea of something in his head. Nathan came to the farm and together they created, figured and planned a beautiful wooden box to fit on the sled that was large enough to carry a family. Oh yes, it is made of solid Walnut and White Oak, probably the only one of its kind. Who would have ever guessed that we would ever find such a unique way to use the wood that has been so much work over the years. I look at this sled, now amazed. I see the labor of such a loving, creative, wonderful husband and father, who has designed beauty, brought value to what I thought was worthless, and think, “I am truly blessed this Christmas.”

By the way, there is still more Walnut in the shed. I just appreciate having it now.