BRIGHT STRIDES & THE COVE: 
                     Kids Art, Equine Therapy & Mindfulness 
                                
        Bright Strides Art & Equine Therapy​ combines the symbiotic benefits of equine therapy with art 
        and other therapeutic modalities, including evidenced-based psychotherapy, offering an 
        integrative approach to wellness for those facing complex challenges such as grief. 
         
        The grieving process involves dozens of emotions that come and go and may surface 
        simultaneously. Navigating these emotions is overwhelming for families and individuals of all 
        ages and can be particularly confusing for children. Based on personal experience with grief 
        and guided by art and equine therapists, Bright Strides is now offering an interactive, online 
        program for kids ages 8-12 struggling with the loss of loved ones.   
         
        Through virtual time in the barn with our horses and donkey, an art session and mindfulness 
        exercises especially for kids, kids will be encouraged to tap into their feelings, identify them, and 
        express emotions often difficult to verbalize through expressive art. 
         
        Highly intuitive and hyper-mindful, horses help us to build emotional capacity and agility, 
        expanding our awareness of self. Art, similarly, helps us practice mindfulness as colors, textures 
        and sounds of creating pull us into the present moment with freedom and a sense of curiosity. 
         
        Our goal is for these sessions to provide kids with habits and activities designed to alleviate 
        emotional suffering and prompt healthier responses to feelings of stress. These essential skills 
        will be something they can continue to call on during moments of difficulty throughout their lives.  
         
         
          1-hour group sessions will meet on Saturdays June 20 - July 18 (excluding 07/04) 
                       from 10 AM-11 AM via Google Meet.  
                                
          Facilitated by: Danielle Roberts (Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning, art 
                    educator) and Kim Starr (Cove art educator) 
         
              Suggested donation: $20 to support Bright Strides (​donate here​) 
       
        9 Old Field Drive 
        East Haddam, CT  
        (475) 238-9595 
        www.brightstrides.org 
                                
                                                        
                                                      
      Program Outline 
       
      Mindful Introduction (5 minutes) 
      We will begin sessions with a brief child-oriented check-in and gratitude exercise.  
       
      Equine Therapy (20 Minutes): 
      The equine component of the program will be led by Danielle Roberts, certified Equine Therapist and 
      Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Children will join Danielle as she feeds the herd - and we 
      promise there is never a dull moment! This portion of the program is designed to bring children into the 
      present moment and foster a sense of connection while learning lessons from equine behavior, 
      emotional intelligence and expression.  
       
      TRANSITION/SET-UP TIME​ (5 Minutes) 
       
      Art Therapy (25 Minutes) 
      The art therapy portion of the program will be facilitated by Danielle, and Kim Starr, Art Educators. 
      Kids will be encouraged to explore through visual, expressive arts to draw on and work through 
      experiences and emotions, past or present. Children can use printable templates we will pre-send or 
      draw on paper using pencils, pens, markers, crayons, highlighters, paint, or any other coloring tools 
      available to them. 
       
      Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 min) 
      We will end our session with a mindful wrap up where we checkin-in with how we are feeling and each 
      share one thing we have learned during the day’s session. 
       
      ___________________ 
      Please contact Danielle at ​danielle@brightstrides.org​ or (475) 238-9595 with questions or for further information.  
        9 Old Field Drive 
        East Haddam, CT  
        (475) 238-9595 
        www.brightstrides.org