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The Equine-Assisted Mental Wellness Experience
for Former Athletes
Welcome to WellEquined, a harmonious blend of therapeutic healing with horses and emotional wellness practices. We offer immersive three or four day retreats and one-day therapeutic healing workshops, tailored for former athletes seeking a holistic approach to mental wellness.
Curated by athlete transition expert Dr. Dawn Whitaker, our program seamlessly combines equine-assisted psychotherapy with the Harmonyum Healing System, and carefully selected mindfulness practices to elevate athlete well-being. Participants also foster a sense of mutual support among peers who share similar experiences and understand the unique challenges faced after transitioning from sport.
This comprehensive approach aids in overcoming anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, while also developing healthy coping strategies and improving emotional regulation as athletes rediscover their confidence and identity outside of sport.
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Let WellEquined guide you through your own healing journey to find your peace.
REFLECT. RELEASE. RESTORE.
WellEquined Program Founder
Inspired by years of research and her dedicated work with athletes, Dr. Whitaker recognized an urgent need to address mental health challenges among former athletes, most notably issues such as depression, emotional dysregulation, and alcohol misuse.
This insight led to the creation of WellEquined, a groundbreaking program that leverages the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy.
While the concept of equine therapy is not new and has been widely used to assist groups such as veterans and first responders, WellEquined is the first initiative to utilize this approach specifically for former athletes. This pioneering application addresses the unique mental and emotional challenges faced by this population after retiring from sport.
Athletes often face challenges in seeking therapy, given factors such as stigma, hypermasculinity, ego, and pride. My goal was to transform the therapy experience into an enjoyable, safe, and relaxing one, creating an environment where they willingly engage while reaping the benefits — ultimately leaving with a heightened sense of calm and emotional control."
- Dr. Dawn Whitaker
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What is Equine-Assisted Therapy?
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A unique and alternative approach to mental health treatment, involving guided interactions between individuals and horses under the supervision of licensed therapists
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A dynamic therapeutic experience, driven by the innate sensitivity of horses to human emotions and non-verbal cues
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Horses reflect your emotional output back to you like living biofeedback machines, providing valuable insights into your emotional state
For athletes navigating life after sport, this form of therapy offers distinct advantages:
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Facilitates self-reflection, emotional regulation, and the development of coping skills, crucial for managing identity loss and other uncertainties that accompany life after sport
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Provides a supportive outlet for the physical and emotional challenges faced during and after transition through the natural bond formed with the horses
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Helps reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
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Assists in alleviating PTSD symptoms​
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"Through a natural connection with these intuitive animals, athletes can explore and address their personal challenges, develop emotional resilience, and cultivate healthy coping strategies."
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Dr. Dawn Whitaker
The Unique Healing Power of Horses
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Experience the profound influence of horses on your overall well-being through daily equine-assisted therapy sessions.
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These majestic creatures possess the remarkable ability to help regulate your heart rate and soothe your nervous system.
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Let them guide you through your personal challenges with navigating life after sport, in a unique and transformative healing experience.
Harmonyum Healing System Sessions and Intentionally-Curated Mindfulness Practices
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The Harmonyum Healing System sessions assist you in processing emotions that may arise during your equine therapy sessions, amplifying the life-changing benefits.
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Mindfulness practices promote relaxation and present-moment awareness, essential for maximizing the therapeutic effects of your overall experience.
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Elevate your healing journey with thoughtfully-chosen wellness practices integrated into your days to further complement the benefits of equine-assisted therapy.​
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. . The Harmonyum Healing System is an authentic and sophisticated, holistic treatment that addresses the relationship between the body and the mind. When there are emotional disturbances within the body, mental and physical imbalances often follow. By raising our consciousness and elevating our capacity to work through unseen issues, we begin to heal at a deep and permanent level. Researched and developed by Dr. Joseph Michael Levry, the Harmonyum Healing System targets the entire neurological system, recalibrating both the sympathetic and parasympathetic sides of the nervous system. The Harmonyum Healing System is an elegant and divine healing system that addresses the unseen root of emotional, mental, and physical disturbances by activating the self-healing capacity of the body.
The horses are naturally calming; even the donkeys are calming. Afterwards, I felt totally relaxed. Now, when I feel myself getting angry, I pull out my phone and look at the photos of my time with the horses. It brings me back to what I was feeling then and it calms me down."
Marquis - Former NFL Player
I found that there were equine-assisted therapy programs for veterans, first responders, and other groups in need, yet there were none tailored specifically for former athletes. My passion became bringing this transformative experience to them, providing an alternative approach to enhance their emotional health and well-being."
- Dr. Dawn Whitaker
