Diana Bezdedeanu
Horses Offering People Education
Servicing Norfolk County, MA
What I Do
Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) is an experiential learning process that stimulates meaningful interactions with horses aimed at improving mental health and overall human wellness. All of these sessions take place on the ground; we do NOT offer traditional mounted horseback riding lessons. EFL is just one area of the larger Equine Assisted Services (EAS) industry, which also includes therapeutic/adaptive horsemanship, and OT/PT/SLP utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy.
- Job Title: Founder & Lead Practitioner
- Years in Profession: 2
- Job and Daily Responsibilities:
Services offered at Horses Offering People Education include private Equine Facilitated Learning and Horse Powered Reading® sessions. Certified through The HERD Institute® and Horse Powered Reading®.
We also partner with local schools to offer a collaborative classroom enrichment experience. HorseSense: A Sensory Based Equine Facilitated Learning Program for Schools brings the magic of Equine Facilitated Learning into classrooms, without the physical presence of our therapy horses, but rather, through sensory-based activities using elements from the barn (e.g. alfalfa, hay, grain, halters, bridles, etc).
Education
Westwood High School, Class of 2020
Pre-Employment Experience
Horse SenseAbility at Wildstar Farm; Sherborn, MA
Volunteer
November 2019 – November 2021
Reinbow Therapy LLC; Lexington, MA
Volunteer
July 2019 – January 2022
BINA Farm Center; Lexington, MA
Volunteer
July 2017 – August 2018
List of classes that are most important/applicable to succeed in your profession:
Any hands-on internships at a local therapeutic barn, marketing/business classes, maybe some education classes if you want to get into partnerships with schools. Psychology, to understand different diagnoses, gain a general understanding of many of the theoretical and philosophical foundations of equine assisted work.
Advice From A Leader
Education looks different for everyone. For some, it might be found in a classroom, and for others, it might be found hands-on in the field. Don’t be afraid to go the untraditional route – college is not the only option.