1. Equine Discovery
NATIVE LEARNING INSTITUTE
EEQQUUIINNEE DDIISSCCOOVVEERRYY
Florinda Jackson. Ed. D
Education Consultant, Owner, and Equine Specialist
P.O. Box 2211Window Rock, Arizona
florindajackson@hotmail.com (505) 879-1039 (cell)
Learning In a Respectful Way…ONE STRIDE AT A TIME!
June 3, 2015
Program Directors of Education/Behavioral Health/Mental Health;
In our search to cure ailments of the mind and body, societies have gone to great lengths to come
up with new ideas medically and non-medically to find remedies for the betterment of our youth,
adults, and Navajo Nation community. I would like to introduce Equine Discovery, a facilitation of
behavioral and mental health services implementing techniques of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
and/or Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). As a new age forgotten friend, an innovative
concept, the “horse” – will be used as a tool and teacher assisting in the healing of common
mental problems and profoundly expose the gaps of human communication and behaviors.
Equine Discovery services are adjusting to the constant, changing behavioral and mental health
demand for best practices, to complement the “western” and “traditional” approaches of
restoration of the whole person. Equine Discovery’s primary focus is to recapture success in all
areas of life, and acknowledge your traditional viewpoint of Beauty, as consistent with effective
intervention and prevention theories such as Metaphors and Brief Therapy, Multiple Intelligence,
and Wellness models.
Equine Discovery services emphasize the interactive nature of the participants’ emotional, mental,
social, physical, and spiritual well-being; with great impact in areas of:
 Self-Discovery: alternative outlet for emotional growth and learning to be both mentally
and physically involved in own healing process.
 Engagement in a cultured environment: hope and healing that is both safe and accepting
to work through issues that may be disruptive to self.
 Opportunities to develop own tools: for effective communication, resiliency, confidence,
and creative problem solving as they face life’s obstacles.
In both EAL and EAP settings, the youth and adults learn about themselves and others by
participating in activities to process their feelings, behaviors, and pattern, and gain interpretation
of those feelings and behaviors. The horse, while large and intimidating, is social and respectable
of humans, yet hardworking and very honest. A person gains immediate feedback from the horse
as it mirrors their human behavior through non-verbal behavior and responses.

2. Equine Discovery
The environmental surroundings provide a visual appreciation of the horse and horsemanship;
the implementation of the traditional beauty concept and social development will promote ways
to express positive communication to be both mentally and physically involved in one’s own
healing process.
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL): refers to a style of learning that occurs when a person is
interacting with the environment; including the people, animals, and situations involved. It is
learning by doing and takes place in a short duration with outcomes of general awareness from
participants. In the EAL activities, experiential learning can improve behavior and self-concept
while learning valuable skills that promote success in their everyday living.
(Behavioral Health Specialist and Equine Specialist, a team approach, facilitates group settings
for skill development in areas of: whole team, leadership skills, discomfort levels, non-verbal
communication, confidence, boundaries, trust, task completion, respect, and following
directions)
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) helps participant (individual basis) with psychosocial
healing and growth, using specifically designed interactive experiences to promote healing. A
clinician may find an animal presence valuable in making the participant feel more at easing
during a visit. A participant may be more willing to take down some barriers, when feels more
comfortable. Furthermore, although participants project the need to be untrusting, they may
appreciate the free spirit of an animal. There will be improved self-esteem and self-awareness of
participant.
(Mental Health Clinician and Equine Specialist, a team approach, facilitates identified
individuals, who are screened and referred to Equine Discovery)
Equine Discovery Credentials:
 Horse Specialist –EAGALA Certified 2015, since 2000. Will provide safe horses with portable
panels, if need.
 Arizona Department of Education Certified - Current Superintendent, Principal and Vocational
Teacher.
 Counselor Certification- 60 hours complete - Counselor Core Functions
 Arizona Prevention Resource Center - Community Development People Links
 General Liability Insured
 Navajo Nation Business Preference Program, Navajo, Female Owned, Sole Proprietor -
Employer Identification Number: #86-1036744. Federal DUNN available upon request.
I am available to provide demonstrations of the services; or on consultant basis, provide EAL/EAP
services to participants within your organization. Please call to obtain further information (505)
879- 1039.
Sincerely,
Florinda Jackson, Ed. D
Native Learning Institute
Equine Discovery, Equine Specialist