The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary in partnership with Alberta Health Services, and the Tsuut'ina Nation, provided an exceptional program to offset the high risk of suicide among at-risk indigenous youth. This program provided new healthy, self-esteem building options, for at-risk youth from Calgary group homes and the community at large.

1. Restoring Niitsitapi:
Aboriginal Friendship
Centre of Calgary
Equine Therapy
Case Study
Resolve Conference
1:30 pm Oct 5, 2016
Hotel Alma University of Calgary
Joe Pimlott & Chris Hylton

2. “There is something
about the outside of
a horse that is good
for the inside of a
man”
Winston Churchill
2
Photo courtesy of International
Traditional Games Society

3. So….Why are
we doing
this?
Why Equine
Therapy?
Any ideas?

4. The Elephant in the room
• Anyone have any ideas what it is
please?

5. Canada Suicide Rates
Youth suicide is an urgent issue for First Nations and
Inuit youth in Canada. While there is much variation
among communities, overall rates are high.
Suicide rates are five to seven times higher for First
Nations youth than for non-Aboriginal youth. Suicide
rates among Inuit youth are among the highest in the
world, at 11 times the national average.
Government of Canada - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/suicide/index-eng.php

6. Unless a child learns
about the forces which
shaped him;
The history of his
people, their values
and customs, their
language, he will never
really know himself or
his potential as a
human being.

7. •An animal, such as a dog or horse becomes
a basic part of a person’s day
•Having an animal around reduces stress,
creates a relationship, helps people feel
loved and needed, provides a listening ear
without judgment and it can improve
social skills and boost the confidence of an
individual.
Source: http://www.worldwidehealth.com/
What is Animal Therapy?

8. Why Healing Occurs
•As scientists have
discovered, animals have
healing powers. “When
you stroke a cat or pet a
dog, you experience a
surge of healing
hormones and chemicals
that produce feelings of
peace and serenity.”
Edward T. Creagan, M.D. - Mayo Clinic oncologistAFCC HCP Photos

9. Why do animals heal?
• A therapist who brings along a
pet is viewed as being less
dangerous by the patient.
• The previously
uncommunicative patient is
willing to share more with the
professional.
• Animals commonly used for
therapy include dogs, cats,
horses, birds, rabbits, and
other small animals.
Kari Fulmek, Equine Assisted Learning Trainer
AFCC HCP Photos

10. Traditional Horse Culture Class of 2012

11. Horse Therapy Testimonials
(AFCC Students in program)
• “Tyson (the horses name) makes me feel I could
trust more and he doesn’t hurt me”
•“I haven’t been called to the principals office for 3
weeks and I am more relaxed in class”
•“I accomplished lots of things through team work”
•“My horse trusted me, he was good I trusted him”
•“My horse was so nice and he listened to me”
•“I learned control and I’m not scared anymore”

12. "I had fun and I haven't had fun in a while, I can't wait to
come back."
"This equine program was so much fun! I've never had this
experience before and I feel I'm so confident. I loved being
here so much. Hope you guys keep this going so everyone
can have an awesome experience like this!"
"Today I've been stressed out and upset. But when I came
here everything changed about how I felt, because I was
building a relationship"
"Today Pepper could tell I was sad, and he was also unhappy.
I feel he wouldn't move until I smartened up and started
being happy."

13. AFCC Horse Program Cost
BUDGET $63,000
Time frame 6 months - I day a week - 6 hours per day
$10,500 per month
$262.50 per child / mo
$13.12 per hr per child
Man and Horse Power
2 Coordinators, 4 Instructors, 2 ranch hands
60 horses – tack, saddles, saddle blankets
1 indoor horse facility
A lot of will power

14. Reference Material
Special thanks to Carol and Jim Mason, and Kari Fulmek for developing this program!
• Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities: A Study and Research Resource Guide for the
Use of Companion Animals in Animal-Assisted Interventions , by Phil Arkow , (2011: 189
pp.), ISBN: 978-0-615-46239-4
• Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, Inc. (2009). http://www.eagala.org/
• Dolphin Therapy. http://www.dolphintherapy.eu
• Animal-Assisted Therapy. (2010). http://www.mahalo.com/animal-assisted-therapy
• Miscellaneous Therapies: Pet-facilitated Therapy. In The Complete Guide to Autism
Treatments, Freeman, S. K., Ph.D (pp. 327-333). Lynden, WA: SKF Books USA, Inc.
• Life Changing Stories: The American Hippotherapy Association.
http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/stories/life-changing-stories-2/
• A n i m a l - A s s i s t e d A c t i v i t i e s ( A A A )
http://www.deltasociety.org/Document.Doc?id=10
• Animal Therapies and Autism, Dr. Matt Coldwell,
http://www.slidefinder.net/2/20553_20Animal_20Therapies/23601139
• Traditional Horse Culture – International Traditional Games –
www.traditionalnativegames.org
• Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary – www.afccalgary.org

15. Niitsitapi
We call ourselves Niitsitapi, although we
are known as the Blackfoot. This is our
way of life. It is about how we lived with
our families, the environment, and our
neighbours. It is also about how these
relationships are still important to us.

16. Thank you!