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- Equine Communication Services
- Rosi Hartmann
- Tribune, Williams Lake, B.C. Canada
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There are few people who
make a difference in this world today. Dan Franklin, a 47-year-old resident of
150 Mile House, B.C. Canada is one of them. He is a man who talks to horses on
their level. He respects horses and you can see he has earned their respect.
This man has found that his gift can help
others. Working with horses can help adults and children with special needs in
many ways: have more self awareness and self esteem, improve their motivation,
speech and communication skills, develop concentration and focusing skills,
interact positively with co-workers and have self-respect. Also they will get a
better feeling about their disability and how to deal with.
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This gift is called Equine
Communication.
With over 25 years of experience, Dan relates
to horses through body language and understanding. Franklin's gentle training
methods are based on years of observation and learning to speak to the horses
in their own language.
- Dan Franklin is a horse whisperer. Being
around and working with horses most of his life he came up with the idea of
using horses to communicate with people with special needs. With the help of
Val Crow, vice-president of the Pacific Riding for Disabled the "Equine
Communication Therapy Program" was founded. It was first introduced in
1999.
- Giving clinics throughout British Columbia,
Dan has been working his magic not only on animals but also on disabled
children.
"Basically what I teach these kids, and
people in general, is the silent language of the horse, which is
non-verbal," he says. "The results have been truly amazing. People
have a way of opening up to animals the way they cant to humans."
Mr. Franklin's love of horses began during his
teenaged years in Maple Ridge, B.C. Canada, a difficult time for him. So he
understands why spending time with equines can change children's lives.
"The horses don't laugh at them," he explains.
"The horses don't judge them."
Mr. Franklin's talents are now in demand
everywhere, from Wall Street, where he works with corporate groups, to Hawaii,
USA, Germany, New Zealand, Mexico and throughout Canada, to name just a
few.
"It's very rewarding for me because I get
to play with my horses, and I get to make just a tiny bit of difference in the
world that's not in a very safe place right now," he says. "I give
people a different direction to take when no other direction seems
possible."
He makes kids and adults feel that their
opinions and abilities are important, not matter what their ability.
Franklin credits the horses, children and
people themselves for the astonishing 98.9 per cent success ratio that has been
realized since initiating the program.
- Equine communication Therapy clinics are open
to youth and adults with special needs, from cerebral palsy to autism to
attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.
- Demonstrations with Dan Franklin are scheduled
as follows:
- Sept 15, 2001 Birchinley Manor Equestrian
Centre, Millnrow, Rochdale
- Sept 25, 2001 Solihull Riding Club,
Warwickshire
- Sept 30, 2001 Croft Farm Riding Centre,
Norfolk
- For more information and registration
contact:
Sheena Allan - Smith,sas.equestrian@dmpb.co.uk( England
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Phone, 011441543490
&..Dan Franklin,danfranklin@telus.net ( Canada )
Phone, 1 - 250 - 296 - 3490
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