DATES/TIMES: Thursday, March 11, 3 p.m., through Sunday, March 14, noon
PLACE: Rancho Bosque, 8649 E. Woodland Road, and Sunstone Healing Center, 2545 N. Woodland Road, Tucson, Ariz.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: Reporters are welcome to cover this event. Contact Jo Marie Gellerman, (520) 626-7219 or 626-7301, for a retreat schedule.
March 9 2004
Contact: Jo Marie Gellerman, (520) 626-7219
"Helping Kids Heal with the Help of Horses" Equine-Assisted Therapy Retreat for Children Ages 7-14 Challenged by Cancer March 11-14 is designed to teach communication and coping skills and aid in the healing of both child and parent. "Round pen" sessions with the horses are held at Dr. Hamilton's equestrian center at 8649 E. Woodland Road, Tucson. No riding is involved.
An experienced horseman, Harvard-trained neurosurgeon, and Arizona Cancer Center professor, Dr. Hamilton will show the children how to become partners with their horse. Horses have been called "divine mirrors" and in recent years have proven to be exceptional partners in facilitating increased insight and awareness of senses and body language, assertiveness, and an improved sense of well being, trust and self confidence, Dr. Hamilton says. During the retreat, the horse becomes both a metaphor for learning to deal with feelings of being overwhelmed at something far bigger than yourself, as well as a true catalyst for healing and empowerment, he explains. The retreat is held in conjunction with Sunstone Healing Center, a nonprofit retreat center in Tucson dedicated to providing life-enriching opportunities and supportive services for people with cancer.
