Georgia Magazine - February 2022 - 4

MailBOX Comments from our readers * Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett
November feedback
We were excited to read " The healing power of
Th e Healing Power ofHorses
Nonprofi ts off er equine-assisted therapy programs
By Amber Lanier Nagle
R
ays of sunlight illuminate the covered riding arena at The Peach
County Equine-Assisted Counseling and Health (PEACH) Pit, as
CEO and board president Gwendolyn Coley greets some of the
members of her equine team that have congregated at the gate. She gives
Ginger, Shadow and Sunni affectionate pats before entering the arena.
" We don't know which horse or horses will enter the arena on any
given day to interact with our clients, " Coley says. " We open the gate and
see which horse or horses show up. Regardless, being around the horses
is where the magic happens. I've been doing this since 2014, and still I'm
amazed every day. "
The " magic " Coley refers to is the naturally empathic, reflective nature
of horses that often helps individuals and families overcome issues that
prevent them from living happy, healthy lives. A Fort Valley-based nonprofit
organization with 15 horses, The PEACH Pit provides equine-assisted
psychotherapy sessions for people seeking help.
" It's not like traditional therapy, " Coley says. " Instead, individuals work
through activities in the presence of horses while a licensed mental-health
professional and an equine specialist facilitate the session in a supportive
and safe environment. "
Counseling sessions at The PEACH Pit don't necessarily mean individuals
climb onto saddles and ride.
" Our sessions are unmounted, " Coley says. " That surprises a lot of
people. So does the fact that our horses are of different sizes, ages, breeds
and medical conditions. Know, though, that all horses, regardless of physical
traits, can help clients. "
The PEACH Pit is one of several equine-assisted therapy programs
making a difference in the lives of Georgians. Horses are being incorporated
into therapies such as trauma and addiction recovery, muscle strengthening
and mobility enhancement. By harnessing the healing power of horses,
these organizations help people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds
recover, grow and move forward.
Working with veterans
Coley keeps a sign at her farm that reads, " Manure happens. "
" The sign has a deeper meaning, " she says, laughing. " As humans, we
all go through stuff, and sometimes we need help getting through that stuff.
That's where our staff and our horses can help. Part of our mission at The
PEACH Pit is to destigmatize the need for mental-health services. It is not a
22 Georgia Magazine November 2021
22-24_Peach_Pit_1121.indd 22
Top: Beyond Limits instructor Kristina Hollstein assists
Case Neal, who is riding Classy. Above: Gwendolyn Coley,
CEO and board president of The PEACH Pit in Fort Valley,
stands with Fleas, a thoroughbred horse used to help
clients in counseling sessions.
weakness to ask for help. "
There is little talking in the sessions.
" We invite clients to perform a task, like,
'observe the horses and select the one you most
closely relate to or connect with,' " she explains.
" Horses are highly sensitive to body language and
energy. They respond to the slightest shifts in feelings
and emotions. We watch for shifts, patterns and
uniqueness in the horses' behavior and invite the
clients to interpret these. "
In the arena or pasture, clients experience
" lightbulb " moments of understanding and clarity.
horses " by Amber Lanier Nagle in your November
2021 issue. [See page 22; bit.ly/thpoh.] It is a
wonderful introduction to equine-assisted therapy
and lets readers know these programs are available to
Georgians of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
This year, Georgia Mountain Psychological
10/13/21 12:24 PM
Associates in Rabun County launched an equineassisted
psychotherapy program, credentialed by the
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.
We have seen firsthand how clients can heal, grow
and move forward with the support of our horses and
credentialed facilitators. Our therapy work is done on the ground with the horses in
safely conducted sessions. The best part is [that] clients need no prior experience
interacting with horses to participate. We have both an adolescent therapy group and
a group for kids (ages 8-11), and it has been great watching the participants learn
and grow with the horses and one another.
There is great need for these therapeutic programs. Thank you for helping let
people know about them.
-Amanda Howard Pileski, director/psychologist,
Georgia Mountain Psychological Associates, Clayton
We have always enjoyed all the articles in
Georgia Magazine, but the articles and recipes in
the November 2021 issue were the best yet.
[See bit.ly/gmg1121.] Thanks!
-Robert W. Reese and Lawana Reese, Norwood
I really enjoyed all the articles in November's
issue. I always learn something from every magazine.
-William Wagner, Dearing
Reader roundup
I always read your magazine front to back.
Georgia
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
MAGAZINE
Georgia
Georgia
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
MAGAZINE
Georgia's
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
covered bridges
page 29
®
MAGAZINE
Gifts for
the season
page 16
The healing
www.georgiamagazine.org
power of horses
page 22
were erected using state-of-the-art
designs for school construction. Most
of the buildings were lost after being
closed in the mid-20th century, but
some still survive and are being restored
and repurposed as community centers
Not too long ago I passed along the article about bike
trails to my son and daughter-in-law. [See " Ready to ride, " June 2021, page 30;
bit.ly/rtr0621.] They loved it! Thank you!
-Cindi Thomas, Warner Robins
Georgia Magazine is a great source of information, and I enjoyed reading the
articles!
-Cheree Herbert, Hiram
They read and won!
Congratulations to Georgia Magazine's recent 2021 trivia contest winners: July:
Rowan Johnson, Adairsville; August: David Owens, Hull; September: Paige Peterson,
Yatesville; October: Avis Barrett, Martin; November: Shelia Bates, Hogansville; and
December: Carol Johnson, Newnan. Each winner received a $25 gift card.
Want to enter? Look for our trivia contest in the magazine and online each month
at georgiamagazine.org.
Share your thoughts. Email us at magazine@georgiaemc.com. Please include your name, address
and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.
4 Georgia Magazine February 2022
and museums. To learn more, turn to
" Remembering Georgia's Rosenwald
Schools, " starting on page 13.
Speaking of repurposing, in this
issue we also take a look at an emerging
trend in the art world: the Art-o-mat.
Originated by North Carolina-based
artist Clark Whittington, Art-o-mats are
retired cigarette-vending machines,
re-imagined to dispense tiny works
of art.
The idea is to provide budding
artists with a venue for their work and
to give the public an easy and affordable
way to own a piece of handmade art.
Turn to page 20 to find out how to
participate-as an artist or a customer.
Enjoy!
Laurel George
Editor
What causes power
surges and blinks?
page 20A
Coastal Electric's fall
checklist to stay safe
and save
page 20B
NOVEMBER 2021
From THE EDITOR
What do the TV shows " Stranger
Things " and " The Walking Dead " have
in common? They both feature vehicles
provided by " picture car " companies
in Georgia. These companies operate
behind the scenes, providing the
wheeled cast members necessary to
make a TV or film production feel
authentic.
Picture cars can play minor roles
or can be stars of the show. To find out
how this process works and why these
one-stop shops for automotive actors are
sometimes called the unsung heroes of
the film industry, turn to " Cars are the
stars, " starting on page 16.
Next, we take a look at the legacy
of two heroes from our nation's past.
Between 1912 and 1932, a collaboration
between Booker T. Washington, an
African American educator, and Julius
Rosenwald, a wealthy Jewish immigrant
and head of Sears, Roebuck & Co., led
to the building of more than 5,000 rural
schoolhouses intended to serve black
communities.
In Georgia, 243 of these schools
THE PEACH PIT
COURTESY BEYOND LIMITS THERAPEUTIC RIDING
GEMC
GEMC
GEMC

http://www.bit.ly/thpoh http://www.bit.ly/gmg1121 http://www.bit.ly/rtr0621 http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Georgia Magazine - February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - February 2022