The Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, a section of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), will hold their annual preconference workshop at Green Chimneys Farm in Brewster, NY, on October 28. Equine facilitated mental health is defined as a number of mutually respectful activities involving equines, such as handling, grooming, riding, carriage driving, vaulting and educational experiences that help participants explore feelings and behavior.

Green Chimneys Farm provides treatment services to special needs students in a therapeutic milieu that incorporates animals, plants and nature. The workshop speakers will include Dr. Steven Klee PhD (Clinical Psychology), Associate Medical Director for Clinical & Medical Services at the farm; Duncan Lester, EdD, the farm’s Associate Executive Director of Operations; Elizabeth Leon, who has specialized education in animal-assisted therapy; and Miyako Kinoshita, a NARHA Certified Advanced Level riding instructor and EFMHA board member. For more information and to register online, visit www.narha.org/SecEFMHA/EFMHA%20Preconference.asp.

Following the workshop, the 2008 NARHA National Conference and Annual Meeting in Hartford, CT (October 29–November 1) will offer hands-on learning opportunities led by top-tier educational presenters in the Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) industry, which includes professionals who offer equine assisted psychotherapy and learning; therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, carriage driving, interactive vaulting and other activities for people with physical and emotional challenges.