Performance Transformation, LLC™ (Venice, FL) announced today the launch of The Kanthaka School™ for Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning. The school integrates five years of research, development and validation in the field of relationship-based EFEL. Delivered using the firm's proprietary, educationally-based Accretive Coaching Process?, the program is designed and priced to bridge the gap between highly expensive and time consuming programs and abridged, short programs that deliver little in value to the students.
"As we travelled the country over the past five years, conducting workshops, it became painfully apparent there was a gap in the various training programs available for people interested in doing the work," commented Terry Murray, founder and Managing Partner of Performance Transformation. "On the one hand are programs that cost upwards of $30,000 and take eight weeks of travel to complete. On the other hand are the weekend wonder programs that offer little value to the students or the horses. We wanted to address this problem with a viable solution."
The Kanthaka School requires only two weeks of onsite, workshop intensives, conducted at the beginning and the end of the six month program. The curriculum and coaching are delivered remotely using state-of-the-art, online collaborative learning tools and one-on-one developmental coaching and instruction using Skype. Students are encouraged to record each of the 24 weekly modules for future reference.
"The other significant challenge we continue to witness is the struggle many graduates, of the most costly programs, encounter trying to build a successful EFEL business," added Terry. "After investing tens of thousands of dollars, they're out the door and on their own, without formal curricula, training materials, marketing or a formal, strategic business plan. From our perspective, that simply doesn't reflect the spirit of this work."
Students attending The Kanthaka School are provide with the tools and materials necessary to launch a successful practice. The program includes a custom, strategic business plan, sales and marketing materials, and access to sixteen formal curricula with full-color, bound, companion workbooks. The workshop curricula includes programs for health care providers, first responders, veterans, corporate leadership, collaborative team building, at-risk youth, parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and more.
"As the work continues to gain momentum and notoriety in the mainstream, it is important that comprehensive, mindful training is available to those that wish to pursue this as their life's work," said Terry. "Abbreviated programs that were originally designed to train a horse-handler assisting a psychotherapist are attempting to move into the EFEL world, but they simply don't have the chops for the work. You can't master this approach over a long weekend, and worse, their attempts to create equine exercises have resulted in dangerous and abusive practices for the horses and participants. It's an example of good intentions gone awry. At the other end of the spectrum are programs that take more than they give, which is also not in the spirit of the work. How many people have eight weeks of free time to fly back and forth to a training program over the course of a year or $30,000 for tuition? That just seems exclusionary."
Recent peer-reviewed, published research studies are scientifically demonstrating the efficacy of Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning. One study, conducted by Washington State University, demonstrated the efficaciousness of the approach with adolescent children. Another study, conducted by the University of Kentucky, showed statistically significant results imparting Emotional Intelligence competencies in nurses.
"The recent research is validating what we've been witnessing first-hand for years," added Terry. "Done properly, the approach is a remarkable accelerant for personal and professional development. The Kanthaka Approach? frames each exercise using a scientifically-substantiated concept. We then allow the participant to experience the concept first-hand using ground-based exercises with the horses. The result is an immutable lesson, delivered on a neurological level. The metaphors that rapidly emerge in aha moments, for leadership, collaboration, and positive relationships are astounding."
The onsite, intensive workshops are conducted in partnership with Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART). SMART, a 501(c)(3), is in their 26th year of service to the community, providing scholarship programs for children with developmental disabilities, educational programs for at-risk children and programs for wounded combat veterans. Twenty percent of the Kanthaka School's tuition goes in direct support of SMART.
"We talk about congruency of vision and intention, of how our work can help transform business to be a force for good in the community. It's imperative that we walk our talk."
Performance Transformation has been doing just that for over four years through their pro bono Warriors in Transition program. The workshop is designed to assist combat veterans and their families successfully transition the journey back to civilian life. It also is employed to assist veterans and families struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Since 2009, Performance Transformation has introduced the program in six states. The workshop received a formal commendation from General David Petraeus in 2010. They've also conducted workshops for at-risk girls, women leaving county jail, and leaders from Native American tribes.
"We've worked diligently over the past five years to help bring this work into the mainstream. We've very excited to be working with SMART in launching our first class this coming October." For more information on enrollment and tuition pricing, please visit The Kanthaka School, or call (941) 485-7428.
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