“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of man,” Winston Churchill once said. It is no secret that horse have long been known to aid humans in mental, physical, and emotional detriment- this is part of the reason we love them so much. Their grace and beauty come second to their ability to challenge people in a way that brings out our best self through the way they build relationships.
Horses have been well respected in the military for hundreds of years as well. They, too, have served our country on the battlefield. Horses express the trust, strength, and loyalty that was needed at a time of war when human forces just weren’t enough. Today, horses are finding their way into the service of the military- with a little different twist. They are waiting at home for the return of veterans in need of equine assisted psychotherapy.
AQHA exhibitor and owner, Jannee Pugliani, and Vietnam veteran husband, Dominic have dedicated their life to serving people through horses. Acri Verde Farm, which means Green Acres, was first imagined by Jannee in 2008 when she went back to college for a degree in Psychology/Human Services. She completed an internship with a focus in experiential psychotherapy which is therapy based on experience and observation. This idea would become the center principle of Acri Verde Farms and their mission.
During Jannee’s internship, she completed her EAGALA training and certification. EAGALA stands for “Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.” It is an international nonprofit association for professionals that use horses to aid in mental health and development. The EAGALA approach to psychotherapy follows the following four principles: work is experiential in design and follows a solution oriented approach; it is a “Team” approach which includes the program owners, a certified mental health professional, and the horses; work is completely ground based; program must follow certain ethical standards.
After graduating in 2010, Acri Verde Farm was officially established in Illinois and has been functioning since 2011. Dr. Linda DeFrancisco, Julie Grimley and Nicole Majka of DeFrancisco and Associates provide the professional mental health part of the team. These members, along with Jannee and her husband are all certified through EAGALA.
Programs at Acri Verde Farm can be group or individual based, both taking place with horses. The horses are in an arena or enclosed area, and the people work on certain tasks that are set up for them by the treatment team. All tasks are based on the individual issues that they face.
Jannee tells us that, “The tasks themselves are not the key issue here, it is the interaction with the horses as well as other participants utilizing the “here and now, in the moment” feedback provided to each participant while working out their issues to find their individual solutions. The horses actually are like walking, interacting, mirrors to a person.” She refers to their responses as authentic, and non-judgmental- two of our favorite qualities in horses.
We asked Jannee to expand on the use of horses in psychotherapy, and the idea is fascinating. “Horses are prey animals which means they are hyper vigilant when it comes to assessing situations and reading body language. We really do see where the horse becomes almost a “mirror” reflecting often times when something is up with the client. I’ve witnessed numerous times one or more of my horse responding in an unusual way with a particular client, only to discover that the client is in fact dealing with an issue or having a difficult time with some aspect of their lives.
In addition, clients need to successfully learn to ‘temper’ or alter their responses in order to accomplish the tasks they are asked to perform with the horses. This gives them real time feedback and a safe place to practice coping skills for when they are back out in the real world.”
The entire farm and program is run and managed by the Pugliani family (Jannee, Dominic, and daughter Aubrie), and the mental health professional team. Their system is working, as they have been told on numerous occasions that their clients have accomplished more in one session than at years of talk therapy.
In 2015 alone, 20 sessions were held. The team has dealt with many aspects of veteran’s lives including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and the transition back into civilian life. According to pre and post evaluations of clients, their improvements have been statistically significant.
Aside from Acri Verde Farm, Dominic owns car dealerships. One of the dealerships is PUGI Mazda which has a ‘Drive for Good’ program that allows Dominic to secure funds to be administered by local veteran-help organizations. Currently the program is partnered with AllenForce/SheForce, and Operation Support Our Troops America (OSOT America). The funds through Mazda are used to reimburse the team’s psychologists for their time and effort. The Pugliani family donates their involvement one hundred percent saying, “We believe fully in giving back whenever possible.”
Jannee is no stranger to the healing powers of horses. She has been involved with horses her entire life, and has shown for the majority of it. A few of her retired show horses now serve as therapy horses at Acri Verde Farm, and she continues her show career with a four-year-old mare named Red Label at Highpoint performance horses.
A lifetime of learning and understanding the deep-rooted magic that lies within horses has given Jannee the inspiration to bring that feeling to others. “The walls come down and they can experience their authentic story in the moment, in a non-judgmental atmosphere through metaphors and life lessons learned through horses.”
Thank you Jannee for your service, along with your family and team.
