ALYA REEVE
Alya is a Board Certified psychiatrist with a long-standing background in working with people with chronic mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. She became EAGALA certified in the spring of 2017 as a Mental Health (MH) specialist and Certified in OK Corral in April, 2021. Alya has worked with horses for over 20 years and enjoys learning from her horses at each encounter.
Clinical Director for Kanthaka of North Bennington, Alya is responsible for the clinical standards and ethical conduct of all the mental health specialists.
TARA LOWARY
Tara Lowary has been working with horses since she was seven years old. She has taught in the field since she was 17. Tara has worked in the equine mental health field since 2015. She has been trained in EAGALA, Equilateral, and OK Corral modalities as an equine specialist and practitioner and has received the Cleveland E. & Phyllis B. Dodge award for Outstanding Community Service. Every experience with horses enriches her life and those around her. She believes horses are good for every human’s mental health and all people should have access to these wonderful animals.
Tara is the Executive Director and assures that safety and health standards for the horses are maintained by all the equine specialists.
ALYA REEVE
Alya is a Board Certified psychiatrist with a long-standing background in working with people with chronic mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. She became EAGALA certified in the spring of 2017 as a Mental Health (MH) specialist and Certified in OK Corral in April, 2021. Alya has worked with horses for over 20 years and enjoys learning from her horses at each encounter.
Clinical Director for Kanthaka of North Bennington, Alya is responsible for the clinical standards and ethical conduct of all the mental health specialists.
TARA LOWARY
Tara Lowary has been working with horses since she was seven years old. She has taught in the field since she was 17. Tara has worked in the equine mental health field since 2015. She has been trained in EAGALA, Equilateral, and OK Corral modalities as an equine specialist and practitioner and has received the Cleveland E. & Phyllis B. Dodge award for Outstanding Community Service. Every experience with horses enriches her life and those around her. She believes horses are good for every human’s mental health and all people should have access to these wonderful animals.
Tara is the Executive Director and assures that safety and health standards for the horses are maintained by all the equine specialists.
ALYA REEVE
Alya is a Board Certified psychiatrist with a long-standing background in working with people with chronic mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. She became EAGALA certified in the spring of 2017 as a Mental Health (MH) specialist and Certified in OK Corral in April, 2021. Alya has worked with horses for over 20 years and enjoys learning from her horses at each encounter.
Clinical Director for Kanthaka of North Bennington, Alya is responsible for the clinical standards and ethical conduct of all the mental health specialists.
TARA LOWARY
Tara Lowary has been working with horses since she was seven years old. She has taught in the field since she was 17. Tara has worked in the equine mental health field since 2015. She has been trained in EAGALA, Equilateral, and OK Corral modalities as an equine specialist and practitioner and has received the Cleveland E. & Phyllis B. Dodge Award for Outstanding Community Service. Every experience with horses enriches her life and those around her. She believes horses are good for every human’s mental health and all people should have access to these wonderful animals.
Tara is the Executive Director and assures that safety and health standards for the horses are maintained by all the equine specialists.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President & Executive Director — Tara Lowary
Vice President — Shaan Alli, MD
Treasurer — Carrie Libowicz
Secretary — Martha Cornwell, PA-C
Clinical Director — Alya Reeve, MD, MPH
Director — Stacey Whitten, NP
Director — Anne Peck
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President & Executive Director — Tara Lowary
Vice President — Shaan Alli, MD
Treasurer — Carrie Libowicz
Secretary — Martha Cornwell, PA-C
Clinical Director — Alya Reeve, MD, MPH
Director — Stacey Whitten, NP
Director — Anne Peck
OUR HISTORY
Kanthaka was dreamt up by its founding members, Alya and Tara, as a means of providing a complementary therapeutic modality. They started working with a small number of clients and as additional colleagues became trained as MH and ES partners the program began to build. The need to formalize the mission, operations, and budget led to the development of a Board of Directors. We invited people with commitment to mental health and substance abuse recovery who also had knowledge of the benefits that come from working with horses.
We started with one client working EAP in 2017, expanding to ten clients or families a week in the summer 2021. We have conducted EQL since 2019, and our first EAL in the late spring of 2021.
OUR HISTORY
Kanthaka was dreamt up by its founding members, Alya and Tara, as a means of providing a complementary therapeutic modality. They started working with a small number of clients and as additional colleagues became trained as MH and ES partners the program began to build. The need to formalize the mission, operations, and budget led to the development of a Board of Directors. We invited people with commitment to mental health and substance abuse recovery who also had knowledge of the benefits that come from working with horses.
We started with one client working EAP in 2017, expanding to ten clients or families a week in the summer 2021. We have conducted EQL since 2019, and our first EAL in the late spring of 2021.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A SESSION
Types of Session Activities
Herd observation
One — several horse interactions
Sensory activities
Trust & communication building exercises
Setting
Unheated barn
Outdoor pens & paddocks
Ground may be uneven, soft, muddy, frozen
Preparation
Wear appropriate attire for outdoor weather
Wear closed toe shoes
Bring water for yourself
Consider headgear (sun hat/warm hat), gloves, etc.
Initial Session
Introductions to ES/MH team
Sign waiver to participate in equine activities
Identify goals with your team
Complete screening questionnaires when appropriate
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A SESSION
Types of Session Activities
Herd observation
One — several horse interactions
Sensory activities
Trust & communication building exercises
Setting
Unheated barn
Outdoor pens & paddocks
Ground may be uneven, soft, muddy, frozen
Preparation
Wear appropriate attire for outdoor weather
Wear closed toe shoes
Bring water for yourself
Consider headgear (sun hat/warm hat), gloves, etc.
Initial Session
Introductions to ES/MH team
Sign waiver to participate in equine activities
Identify goals with your team
Complete screening questionnaires when appropriate
SAFETY INFORMATION
The equine partners are chosen for their willingness and experience in working with humans. Wild animals are not used. Sick, injured, or dying animals are sometimes important partners in helping participants deal with specific losses or challenges. Animals with aggression toward humans or intense fear are not appropriate for this work and are not selected. All activities involving horses carry risk of injury from the unpredictable flight response of these herd animals; being around a barn and outdoor arena involve risk of walking or traversing uneven ground; carrying objects or being exposed to natural elements of the weather also carry unpredictable risks of minor injury. For these reasons informed consent for the risk of working with equine partners must be recorded.
SAFETY INFORMATION
The equine partners are chosen for their willingness and experience in working with humans. Wild animals are not used. Sick, injured, or dying animals are sometimes important partners in helping participants deal with specific losses or challenges. Animals with aggression toward humans or intense fear are not appropriate for this work and are not selected. All activities involving horses carry risk of injury from the unpredictable flight response of these herd animals; being around a barn and outdoor arena involve risk of walking or traversing uneven ground; carrying objects or being exposed to natural elements of the weather also carry unpredictable risks of minor injury. For these reasons informed consent for the risk of working with equine partners must be recorded.
WHAT WE'RE NOT
Generally, none of these activities occur on horseback; hence, we do not provide hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, or horsemanship skills. The activities of Kanthaka are focused on therapeutic benefit, so for example exploring parts of the horse is for the benefit of the participant rather than for proper care of the horse.
WHAT WE'RE NOT
Generally, none of these activities occur on horseback; hence, we do not provide hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, or horsemanship skills. The activities of Kanthaka are focused on therapeutic benefit, so for example exploring parts of the horse is for the benefit of the participant rather than for proper care of the horse.
QUESTIONS?
WE'RE ALL EARS:
QUESTIONS?
WE'RE ALL EARS:
QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION
(973) 819 7462
kanthakavermont@gmail.com
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
(802) 442 5491
QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION
(973) 819 7462
kanthakavermont@gmail.com
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
(802) 442 5491