IN West County Fall 2019 | Page 31

It’s hard not to pay attention to a 1,200-pound animal in your space. They respond in a way that makes you see what’s going on inside you. Ranch can’t afford this type of therapy. “They’re foster kids, underprivileged kids, unemployed veterans with PTSD, and crime victims,” she says. “They often don’t have a healthy means of support.” She says as a nonprofit, Blended Spirits scales its fees based on income and offers scholarships when it can, thanks to community support such as Fairview’s Church of the Cross taking the ranch on as a special project this summer and from matching donations during Erie Gives. Doc Odell on Akeno Long says situations like this can create breakthrough moments, giving students the opportunity to find ways to recognize and overcome their insecurities. Long says she guides students through the situation, hoping the lesson hits home—and watches for signs that the student needs her intervention. A second student working with Elijah was able to get the horse to move in the direction she wanted him to go and to get him to stop at her command. Her confidence made it easier for her to control the animal and build trust—even enough for the horse to lift his foot for her as if she were preparing to clean rocks or dirt from his hoof before a ride. RoseMarie Lackey, Director of Youth Ministries for Erie City Mission, says the lessons kids learn at Blended Spirits Ranch align Urban University’s mission to drive them toward their goals. “Sandy’s teaching style empowers them,” Lackey says. “Working with horses puts you in a vulnerable situation, and you need to ask how you are mastering that.” She adds that lessons such as overcoming negative thoughts apply when the students work with horses at Blended Spirits, but also in their peer and family relationships. “The goal is that they feel differently coming out of the round pen than when they went in,” she says. PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY In addition to sessions that focus on leadership and personal growth, Blended Spirits Ranch Equine-Assisted Therapy Center offers a wide range of additional services. Long has multiple certifications in EAL and EAP, and she leads sessions with at-risk youth and adults, veterans, trauma victims, and corporate teams. A veteran with Bugzy A veteran and family Blended Spirits Ranch has provided services to Sarah Reed Children’s Center, Bethesda Children’s Home, Perseus House, Hermitage House, Office of Children and Youth, Veterans Center, the Crime Victim Center of Erie, Erie City Mission’s Grace House, the Autism Society of Northwest PA, and Erie County Veterans Court. Blended Spirits also offers individual sessions. Long adds that the ranch is expanding to work with Crawford County CYS and has had requests for services from agencies in Allegheny County. She also works with therapists Cheryl Forero, LPC, of Meadville and Megan Chong, LPC, Edinboro, for one-on-one sessions. Blended Spirits Ranch offers a riding program, although Long is quick to point out, “We’re not a show barn.” The riding program supports the ranch’s mission to build self-esteem and confidence in kids, including those who are underprivileged, have special needs, or are trauma victims. Long shares that most of the people who need the services of Blended Spirits DIFFERENT LESSONS FOR DIFFERENT DAYS Long has developed a set curriculum of lessons she uses in eight-week sessions with groups at the ranch, but she watches for opportunities to present the right topic at the right time. If she plans to address overcoming temptation, but senses tension among a group of at-risk youth, she may instead focus on conflict resolution. “Sessions are client-driven,” she says. Robert “Doc” Odell of Meadville, a volunteer at the ranch who met Long eight years ago at a veterans event, says, “Over the eight-week sessions, you see them change in their attitude, their spirit, and their thinking. It’s amazing how they transform.” Blended Spirits Ranch also stays on the cutting edge, looking for new techniques to help people overcome the challenges in their lives. Long notes that she and Chong recently traveled to Vermont to become certified in equine-assisted eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EA-EMDR) therapy. It is a treatment for trauma and PTSD, and involves revisiting a traumatic event while an extensively trained therapist directs your eye movements. Long says it is effective for resolving emotional difficulties caused by traumatic events. It is used to help children and adults overcome problems and symptoms caused by unsettled memories and experiences. “It’s extremely powerful,” she says. “We’re so excited to offer this.” For more information on Blended Spirits Ranch, call 814.449.5657, email Long at [email protected], or visit blendedspiritsranch.org. n WEST COUNTY ❘ FALL 2019 29