SALI brought in one of Canada’s experts
SALI brought one of Canada’s experts in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities here to train us and guide us in the process of learning how to facilitate healing with the animals at SALI’s Farm. Eileen Bona runs Dreamcatchers Nature-assisted Theapy Association in Ardrossan, Alberta. For those who attended our charity cocktail last November, Eileen was our guest speaker. Each volunteer was given an extensive animal assisted activities manual and a journal. There was a wonderful sense of accomplishment, excitement and confidence after the first day of training as we went into the second day.
Over the May long weekend we had two days of training at the farm. Eileen guided us through the first ever animal-assisted activity training in BC. We had nine volunteers attend and will have six volunteers available for our first group of children coming in June. We will hold a second training session in August/September for the fall group of children. Eileen suggested that SALI become a facilitator for any other organizations that would like to get into this field.