Established in 2012, A Stable Life at the Bergen Equestrian Center in Leonia, NJ that provides a variety of non-riding equine treatment programs focused on prevention, education, and healing and assisted recovery guided by qualified professionals. Anna Gassib is the Founder & Executive Director, certified in the Gestalt Equine Coaching Method Certified Reiki Practitioner, Spiritual Equine Coach working with people of all walks of life on how to overcome any life challenges. Among the people served by A Stable Life are individuals struggling with addiction, children with special needs, behavioral issues, families who cope with mental illness and veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Communities. Equine therapy has long been recognized as a meaningful and long-term approach to a variety of mental health and medical issues and has been known to “heal the soul,” an outcome close to Gassib’s heart.
FWM: Tell us about “A Stable Life” at the Bergen Equestrian Center.
Sessions benefit individuals and families dealing with life challenges that may include anxiety, isolation, addiction, and loss of a loved one or a type of phobia resulting from PTSD. A Stable Life is all-inclusive, with specialty programs for children and adults with special needs. A Stable Life will design a program for any person in need of intervention and healing.
The grace of a horse enriches the spirit, mind, and heart resulting in true healing.
Day Programs
Group and Individual Sessions
Life Skills Workshop
Therapeutic healing, self awareness and personal growth programs conducted by Certified Equine wellness practitioners
Fosters leadership, team building, and interpersonal skills
Programs use the sensitive and intuitive nature of the horse to guide learning through customized sessions delivered in a fun and experiential learning environment.
A Stable Life Programs:
· Home of Columbia University’s Man O’War Project for Veterans
· Equine Life Skills (Therapy for families and individuals)
· Spring House – treatment programs for the youth
· Family Guidance – programs for women 18+
· Covenant House based in Newark
· New City Kids- Jersey City
· Yachad – Teaneck
· CIACC- Mental Health Board of Bergen County
· Children’s Aid & Family Services of Bergen County
Man O War Project- Example of the Session:
· Non-Riding Equine Assisted Psycho Therapy at Bergen Equestrian Center
· 90-minute therapy sessions, small groups 6 veterans and 2 horses
· 8 week therapy sessions
· Free of charge for Veterans from anywhere in the country
· Man O War is seeking to confirm more participants
Press:
News 12: http://newjersey.news12.com/clip/13575745/video-horse-therapy-used-to-help-treat-ptsd
Verizon Fios: http://www.fios1news.com/newjersey/new-therapy-horses-ptsd#.WXDQbdPys8b
The Record/Herald News – http://www.northjersey.com/search/bergen%20equestrian/
— All programs take place at the Bergen Equestrian Center at 40 Fort Lee Road, N.J www.bergenequestrian.com/a-stable-life.html or 201.336.3370
FWM: How is “A Stable Life” facilitating leadership skills for creating team cohesion for corporate team building?
This is often used by area corporations to better communicate with their staff- for people to have a new perspective on working together. The presence of a horse allows people to communicate and interact differently with each other- it is a memorable experience and a safe haven for people to open up-
FWM: Share aspects of your program.
Many of our programs are partnered with various agencies, we do a lot of work with teens and at-risk youths, prison re-entry programs
· Home of Columbia University’s Man O’War Project for Veterans
· Equine Life Skills (Therapy for families and individuals)
· Spring House – treatment programs for the youth
· Family Guidance – programs for women 18+
· Covenant House based in Newark
· New City Kids- Jersey City
· Yachad – Teaneck
· CIACC- Mental Health Board of Bergen County
· Children’s Aid & Family Services of Bergen County
FWM: Your program is guiding individuals and groups through life challenges. Share your client success stories.
The success stories are endless, we have veterans who have connected better with their families and themselves. They stay in touch with us and they refer us to their friends, sometimes, they just come by to say hello or visit the barn. We have many teens that have recovered some even have come back to work with us on some programs.
FWM: What is your mantra? How does it relate to your work?
My Mantra follow is to follow my bliss!!
FWM: Who is coming to A Stable Life?
Everyone comes to A Stable Live- from individuals, groups, business groups, agencies, colleges, high schools- children with special needs-
FWM: Why are horses therapeutic?
Horses are therapeutic as they are sensitive and they can read people, they are know oxytocin which is the love hormone, same hormone that gets released when magically in love, the feel-good hormone – horses have no preconceived noting of who you are, they don’t care, there is no judgement..they are interested in who’s standing in front of them now. They give us the gift of being in the present moment
FWM: What will people notice when working with you?
They will notice that I am in the flow and I meet clients where they are- as does the horse, with no preconceived judgements- we work on issues.. often the horse will guide me in working with an individual or group- we do a weekly meditation accessible for all people- and especially during covid people come out feeling more positive, less anxious- we do a mediation circle with small ponies.
FWM: The Man of War Project for Veterans, Covenant House, Spring House, and other social service agencies are joining you, what do you enjoy the most working with these agencies?
It gives us access to my intended population.
FWM: Share your goals/projects for the future.
A TV show, it could be a reality show or a documentary. A documentary on how profound equine-facilitated therapy is.. a reality show because there is always something going on at the barn- from photoshoots, video shoots- we had Jerry Seinfeld shoot Comedians and cars when he did the segment with Tracey Morgan. We stable close to 125 horses…there is always something fun, funny, and meaningful going on.
Bergen Equestrian Center 40 Fort Lee Road,
Leonia, NJ 201.336.3370
www.bergenequestrian.com
