testimonials
from the START Taranaki mentor of a participant...
I had the pleasure of mentoring a young Wahine who participated in this program, and I can confidently say it was an incredible experience to watch and support a rangatahi through this program. Geraldine was knowledgeable and supportive, creating a safe and enriching environment for everyone involved. I highly recommend this horse program to anyone looking to learn, grow, and improve themselves.
from a participant...
Thank you so much for the time you have taken for this course, I really appreciate it and the stuff I have learnt from it. I have also loved spending time with the horses and walking with them. This has helped me a lot with my confidence as well. I have enjoyed every part of this and I’m so grateful. Thank you!
and her mother...
Thank you Geraldine for your time, knowledge and patience, that you have put in with [my daughter] these last 12 weeks.
She has grown in confidence, found a sense of peace, and is much less anxious. She is taking more pride in her surroundings and is also reconnecting socially which is amazing to see.
I am so proud of [her] for completing this programme and for returning to school with a positive attitude. She has really enjoyed her time connecting with the horses and we are so grateful.
from the mother of a participant...
I wanted to express my heart felt gratitude for the incredible impact you have been having in my daughter’s life through Ahurewa Equine Therapy.
Your expertise and understanding around horses’ needs, their behaviour, and ability to link them with human emotions, has promoted so much learning, personal growth and sense of belonging for my daughter. A true trusted relationship with you and your beautiful horses has been guiding her to navigate complex emotions and build resilience.
The therapeutic sessions with the horses have been transformative. She has been demonstrating a big connection with them, showing empathy, patience and a natural ability to communicate non-verbally.
The way you work with concepts like boundaries, self-integrity, trust and protection, correlating them with what the horses demand for themselves in their own habitat, has been influencing my daughter to implement in her own life. It’s been delightful watching it unfold.
Ahurewa brings a unique form of therapy that offers a safe, nurturing environment surrounded by nature, that allows openness, curiosity and engagement with the activities, which contributes to a positive frame of mind and a desire to succeed in life.
I love how you use some of my daughter’s skills to integrate in physical and intellectual activities with the horses, it has been enhancing her self-worth and confidence.
I have seen her becoming more stable and compassionate because of her experiences with equine therapy.