Meat Raffle Fundraiser • Saturday, April 20, 2024 • Ditto’s Bar, St. Michael •
Meat Raffle Fundraiser • Saturday, April 20, 2024 • Ditto’s Bar, St. Michael •
Equine therapy that changes lives.
Bringing together a powerful connection between people and horses through innovative Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy & Learning services.
Now accepting new clients!
Life-changing experiences.
Saint Francis Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit company that cultivates powerful connections between people and horses through innovative Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy & Learning. Our services are designed to address the mental health and personal development of individuals (ages 6-64) dealing with emotional trauma and behavioral or social issues, as well as couples, families, and groups.
Located just outside the Twin Cities metro area, our mission is to provide a grace-filled space for wellness and learning in a compassionate environment that fosters physical, emotional, and behavioral growth.
Why horses?
Equine therapy dates back to ancient Greece when Orbasis of ancient Lydia documented the therapeutic value of riding in 600 B.C. Today, the medical and educational communities recognize the benefits of equine-assisted therapy programs. The results from our programs are tangible; horses give immediate feedback to the client’s actions. Horses also can mirror the feelings of the handler or rider. Being open and listening to the horse activates a life-changing experience to help people connect, engage, and release emotion and anxiety, experience self-assessment, set goals, and build life skills.
Our services
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Equine-Assisted Individual Psychotherapy
Individualized sessions customized for the goals of the person. Each visit is different and offers age-appropriate activities.
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Equine-Assisted Group Psychotherapy
These sessions change with every group. We invite the participants to talk about things they're most interested in or want to learn.
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Friendship Camp
This is a unique opportunity for Youth K-12 to improve their communication skills, confidence, and respect for themselves and others while interacting with Arabian horses.
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Equine-Assisted Learning
Experience all aspects of loving and caring for horses. Individual and group sessions are available.
Participating in the Saint Francis Center’s equine-assisted learning programs provides several advantages to participants, such as:
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Enhanced communication skills: Participants learn to communicate nonverbally with sensitive horses, improving overall communication abilities.
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Working with horses teaches effective leadership by establishing trust and respect, applicable in various settings.
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Interacting with horses helps individuals better understand their emotions and behaviors, fostering self-awareness.
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Dealing with unpredictable situations with horses improves adaptability and problem-solving skills.
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Developing empathy for horses translates to improved empathy towards others in personal and professional life.
This is why we do what we do.
“Through the Saint Francis Center Equine-assisted therapy, I gained skills to help heal my childhood trauma & build self-confidence. I was given the opportunity to develop leadership skills and responsibility while working with the horses. Today I use these skills and am more brave, bold, and confident because of Saint Francis Center.”
— Jenna
“I am thankful for the Saint Francis Center. Because of the SFC, I am no longer afraid of dogs, cats, or horses. I’m relaxed around them and know I am brave and strong.”
— Katie
“The Saint Francis Center has given me the skills to help me control my emotions & anxiety and has improved my relationships with people. Through SFC, I found a new way to get help in managing my emotions & anxiety. Talking and relating to the horses helped me understand how others felt around me. I learned self-control.”
