BERKSHIRE HORSEWORKS INC

Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc. (BHW), located in Richmond, Massachusetts, was originally founded in 2013 as a for-profit entity to provide Eagala Model Equine Assisted Team building (EAT) to local businesses and organizations of all kinds. Recognizing the mental health needs of the community and the dearth of treatment options, Berkshire HorseWorks applied for and received its nonprofit status in 2014 and introduced Eagala Model Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) to Berkshire County. For its first three years of operations, Berkshire HorseWorks was located at the Berkshire Equestrian Center and conducted sessions and workshops year-round thanks to its access to a heated indoor arena. Initially, the owner provided grazing paddocks free of charge because he supported the Model and the mission. When the property was put up for sale, Berkshire HorseWorks relocated and now operates out of a seven-acre ranch with multiple paddocks, trails, a meditation space and organic garden.

For the last 10 years, through experiential ground-based metaphorical activities with horses, Berkshire HorseWorks has helped those at risk with mental health and behavioral challenges in Southern, Central, and Northern Berkshire counties. Rooted in evidence-based practices, strength-based, solution-focused and predicated on cognitive behavioral therapy, the Eagala Model has a broad application across diverse populations and requires clients to take initiative, make decisions and be accountable for results. Eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) is a professional organization, which has certified over 4,500 practitioners in 50 countries. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine Assisted Team building (EAT) incorporate horses experientially for emotional and developmental growth. This modality is a collaboration between a licensed mental health professional, equine specialist, and horses working together side by side with their clients. Certified facilitators create direct and indirect metaphorical and role-playing activities with horses which help participants achieve their targeted treatment and developmental goals. Participants learn about themselves and others by connecting with the equines and then observing and discussing the behaviors and patterns that arise. What happens in the arena is often a metaphor for that which happens in one's life, in the family, or in the community. Most recently, the nonprofit has expanded its programming into the educational space to support local school districts. All programs have been created with an eye toward providing those underserved or marginalized with the tools to become their best selves and mitigate the effects of mental health challenges, societal pressures and enhance socio-emotional learning