Born2Be Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an opportunity to build skills such as leadership, trust, assertiveness, self-confidence, patience, communication, decision making, stress management and team building, etc. Time spent with the horses involves ground only activities and does not involve any mounted or riding activities. Prior horse knowledge is not required. Each session is customized for the participant(s) based on the skill(s) selected by the individual or group. Groups such as educators, first responders, church staff, sports teams, youth organizations and businesses can provide sessions for continuing education hours and/or unique interaction for its members that cannot be duplicated in a school, medical facility or office setting.
Why horses? Utilizing horses for growth and learning is an experiential modality. Horses are sensitive to non-verbal communication and are fully present to experience the ground activities with clients. That means while interacting with the horses, clients can receive valuable non-judgmental feedback. During the debriefing, clients will have an opportunity to reflect on what occurred in the horse arena and apply it to the arena of life. Experiencing the growth of a selected and identifiable skill in the arena can truly be a “hands-on” experience that clients remember and build upon long after they leave the arena.
Life brings challenges. Challenges are an opportunity to build skills and grow. Born2Be TEC is here to help you build identifiable skills to meet the challenges you face. To get started, see the details below:
Individual 1
hr. = $60.00 Individual 1 ½ hr. = $75.00
Group 1 ½ hr. = $60.00 per person.
Checks and credit card payments are accepted.
Sliding scale prices are available based on need.
Inquire for further information.
Contact Director Mary Gwinner at 940-595-8200 for an appointment.
Meet our EAL Facilitator….
Glinda Digiacinto, M.Ed., LPC was born and raised in Dallas. She spent years teaching and working as a school counselor in Richardson ISD before moving to McKinney, TX. She retired from McKinney High School as a counselor in 2004. She opened a private practice in McKinney for ten years. She also contracted with Caron, an inpatient facility for drug and alcohol abuse in 2014-15 to facilitate Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for men and women. She learned this modality of therapy through her training and certification with EAGALA. She also contracted with Arms of Hope in Denton to provide counseling services for single mothers in need. With a broad background in working with youth and adults, she is facilitating Equine Assisted Learning at Born2Be. Glinda is dedicated to customizing each session to meet the needs of the client.
Meet our EAL Equine Specialist….
Tracy McCarty, Born and raised in Oklahoma, Tracy first started riding horses at four years of age and grew up riding and showing in 4-H. In 1995, when she moved to Texas, she had the privilege of working for Terri Barnes, one of the first physical therapists in the U.S. to study Hippotherapy in Germany, thus beginning Tracy's career in the therapeutic riding industry. By 1997, Tracy earned Registered Instructor status through PATH Int’l (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Int’l). Additionally, Tracy is a PATH certified Level I Driving Instructor, a PATH Mentor and a PATH Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She is also a Site Visitor, which allows her to conduct Accreditation Site Visits at therapeutic riding programs for PATH Int'l. Currently Tracy resides in Denton, Texas with her husband, three daughters, three dogs and a Paint and Appaloosa horse both of whom are treasured members of the B2B therapy horse herd. She has one married daughter who is a Dr. of Physical Therapy and is also a proud new grandmother of a beautiful baby boy.