October 4

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Welcome Reception and Buffett Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Keynote Speaker – Shelley Rosenberg (USA)

Part 1 – “How to Know When it is Safe to Open the Wound and Knowing When to Put on the Bandage – Supporting the Abuse Survivor”

In her 3-part presentation, Shelley will share her story of childhood sexual abuse and give us advice on how to support the abuse survivor.

2:10 pm – 3:30 pm

Psychiatrist Dr. Nancy Coyne (USA)

“Asking for Help: When the Coach Needs Support”

What do you do as a facilitator when you get stuck, scared or don’t know what to do? How do you know when you need help or when to refer?    

3:40 pm – 5:10 pm

Gretchen Morgan and Sally Nilsson (USA, England/Costa Rica)

“Healing the Healers: Using Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy to Support Healers and Treat Compassion Fatigue, Burn Out and Vicarious Trauma”

This experiential session will illustrate the powerful synergistic combination of Sand Play Therapy with Equine Facilitated Learning and its usefulness in supporting practitioners in the healing arts profession.

5:10 pm- 5:30 pm

Poster Sessions and Cash Bar

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Dinner 

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

“Freedom Tracks” – Documentary Screening – Leila Pages (International – France)

Ms. Pages traveled across Europe and the Americas inspired by her love of horses collecting content for her documentary. She experienced for herself, that horses can be our guides on our own track to freedom.  Leila will be in France during the Summit for the public release of her award-winning film, but she will be Skyping in for a Q&A after the screening.

Saturday – October 5

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Yoga and Mindfulness with Eric Kolesar ($5/pp)

8:00 am – 8:45 am

Coffee and Poster Sessions

8:45 am – 9:30 am

Keynote Speaker – Shelley Rosenberg (USA)

Part 2 – “How to Know When it is Safe to Open the Wound and Knowing When to Put on the Bandage – Supporting the Abuse Survivor”

9:40 am – 10:40 am

Vivian Evans (Canada)

“Walking with Wild Horses”

Over the course of 3 years in a remote wilderness area in Canada, Ms. Evans observed and interacted with the wild horses that live there. She documented her experience and observations in her first book, “The Wild Horses of the Highland Valley”.  She will share how what she learned changed her idea of horsemanship.

10:50 am -11:50pm

Dr. Ann Baldwin (USA)

“Do Residents in Assisted Living Benefit from Stroking Horses?”

Award winning, physiologist, Dr. Baldwin, of the HeartMath Institute, will present scientific findings validating the benefits of horse and human interaction.

12:00 – 1:30

Round Table Discussion – Q & A

Oral presenter/audience question and answer forum

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Lunch and Poster Sessions   

2:30 pm – 3:30

 Sandy Sharkey (Canada)

“Find Wild Horses, Find Yourself”

Sandy is a world-renowned equine photographer. In her visually stunning presentation, Sandy will take us deep into the world of the wild horse, their plight for survival and share how she found herself by being lost in their world.  

3:40 pm – 4:40 pm

Phoebe Hoffman (USA)

“Intuition and Animals – Traveling My Yellow Brick Road”

Gifted psychic, Ms. Hoffman will share her story of how an EFL retreat expanded her gift of animal communication and psychic capacity. An interactive Q&A session follows her presentation.

4:50 pm – 6:00 pm

Special Presenter – Carol A. Patrick (Costa Rica)

“Saving Wildlife in Costa Rica: The Making of Osa Wildlife Sanctuary”

Ms. Patrick left her life in the USA 24 years ago to start the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary. She will share her inspiring story of success and failures and discuss the importance of conservation. Q&A will follow.   

October 6

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Yoga and Mindfulness with Eric Kolesar ($5/pp)

8 am – 8:45 am

Coffee and Poster Sessions

8:45 am – 9:30 am

Keynote Speaker – Shelley Rosenberg

Part 3 – “How to Know When it is Safe to Open the Wound and Knowing When to Put on the Bandage – Supporting the Abuse Survivor”

9:40 am – 11:00 am

Cheryl Nolan  and Christy Heiskala (USA)

“Navigating the Law in Equine Practice”

Practicing attorney, Ms. Nolan will address key questions about the legal aspects of running an equine business and working with members of the public.

11:10 am – 12:40

Dr. Lorraine Tilbury (France)

“Be a Heart Warrior – Love Fiercely While Protecting Yourself”

In this experiential session, supported by horses, learn how to create a “cosmic smashbook” as an expression of your creative power – revealing your capacity to rightfully claim your sacred space.

12:40 –

Lunch leading into afternoon events (open to public)

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Cultural event and demonstration by local children’s equine therapy program, that has qualified for the Central American Special Olympics to be held in November. Presented by Centro Equestre Establo Arenal.

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Keynote Speaker – Amberley Snyder

“Walk.Ride.Rodeo”

In 2010 rodeo star, Amberley Snyder was in a devastating car accident, leaving her a paraplegic. Today Amberley inspires thousands of people by sharing her incredible story of determination to ride and compete-in and win-in rodeos again!   Presentation will be followed by a Q&A period and opportunity to meet Amberley. Amberley’s story is documented in the film, Walk.Ride.Rodeo.

Presentation by El Colono Equine Group – Noticing Your Horses Physical Needs 

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Movie Screening – Amberley Snyder

“Walk.Ride.Rodeo” Watch the Trailer

Two feet moved her body, but four feet moved her soul! Watch the story of Amberley Snyder and then meet her in person after the movie! This is the story of a cowgirl whose love for horses overpowered all challenges. Her rodeo career began at a young age and her future was destined for success. A truck accident changed her life at the age of 18 leaving her paralyzed.

October 7

7:00 am to 8:00 am

Yoga and Mindfulness with Eric Kolesar ($5/pp)

8:00 am to 8:45 am

Coffee and Poster Sessions

8:45 am to 10:15 am

Deborah Draves Legg and Dr. Wilfredo De Jesus (Costa Rica)

“Taking Care of the Herd – What We’ve Learned”

Caring for a large herd of working horses can be a challenge financially and ethically for horse owners. In this presentation, Dr. De Jesus and Ms. Draves-Legg, offer advice and will share what they’ve learned over the years.

10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Alejandra Gonzalez (Costa Rica)          

“Bridging the Parelli Method of Natural Horsemanship to Classical Dressage – The Importance of Relationship”

Central American 3 Star Parelli professional, Ms. Gonzalez, will demonstrate elements needed to create a working relationship with the horse in the competitive world of dressage 

12:00 pm

Closing Key Note Speech – Shelley Rosenberg

Register Today at myhorsesmyhealers@gmail.com