Welcome to Pony Partnerships
Pony Partnerships offers a unique environment where you can explore ways to improve your life.
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Not everyone finds it easy to relate in a traditional way - the expectations attached to room based therapy, where we sit face to face, may feel overwhelming to some people. Here at Pony Partnerships, we offer a unique flexibility in the way that we work.
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Therapy can be designed to suit the client, rather than expecting the client to fit into the therapy.
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We have the capacity to work creatively, by building relationships with our therapists, as well as our animal partners, and the outdoor environment in which we are based.
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We offer a free 30 minute consultation where you can come and meet us and the animal team, and see what you think. We are located close to Derby City Centre and have parking facilities. We are also close to many bus routes in Alvaston.
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We can also offer sessions at Rosliston, near the forestry centre - please follow this link for more information
What we offer
We offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Assisted Learning, Group sessions, CPD training for professionals, Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Clinical Supervision.
Our Mission
To support personal development and learning through the power of horses and to provide an evidence base to expand the provision of this powerful model of work.
Our Team
Paddy
11 year old gelding
Teddy
11 year old gelding
Lola
19 year old mare
Dio
22 year old gelding
Paddy came to Moo Haven as unmanageable and unrideable. He is now a wondefully kind and understanding pony. He still struggles with trust sometimes and scares easily but he is coming on amazingly every day.
Teddy came to Moo Haven due to being extremely fearful. He has been amazing with clients and is growing in confidence all the time - especially where there are carrots involved!
Winehouse
12 year old Lurcher
Gracie
6 month old nanny goat
Winehouse has been with Danielle since she was rescued at 4 months old. She is a lovely dog who is very loving, loyal and often hilarious! Winehouse is trained as a Pets As Therapy dog and often accompanies Danielle in her work with clients
Gracie has joined us as a baby! Her dad is Amos, a bagot goat, and her mum is Bonny - a mixed breed. She is settling in really well and we think that she now identifies as a pony...
Lola was due to be put to sleep due to an issue with her hind leg and no longer being able to be ridden. She was put into rescue, and after some time off out in the field, she recovered fully and now loves nothing more than going out for a ride and getting ear scratches whenever she can!
The Sheep
Ouessant and Boreray flock
Ali, Beamish, and Guinness are Ouessant sheep and Rosti is a Boreray. We rehomed the flock and have tried our best to convince them that humans are not that bad! It's still a work in progress...
Dio was a champion carriage driving horse with Karen Bassett as well as a funeral horse. Upon his retirement, Karen reached out for a loan home and we were lucky enough to have Dio join us! He is a gentle giant and adores Lola!
Pepper
Sadly deceased and much missed
We sadly lost Pepper after a short battle with an aggressive tumour in her jaw. She is very much missed and had a huge impact on all of us.
Puzzle
5 year old cat
Puzzle has been with us since she was a kitten. She was abandoned by her mother and was rescued by a family friend. Puzzle lives at the field and is Chief Pest Control - she LOVES fuss and is very partial to a cuddle.
Danielle Mills
EFP/L, counselling, Director
Danielle set up Pony Partnerships in 2015 after completing her training with LEAP. Danielle is passionate about making EFP accessible to children and young people who need it after benefiting so much from it herself.
Michaela Despot
EFP/L
Naomi Worrall
EFP/L and counselling
Michaela has had a passion for horses since she was a child and was fortunate to learn to ride from the
age of 7 years old. Michaela believes in the therapeutic aura of being around horses and the therapeutic
value of horses at therapists. Michaela completed her Equine Assisted Psychotherapy training at LEAP
in September 2018, having gained a Diploma Level 5 with The Crossfields Institute: The LEAP Method.
Michaela is a qualified mental health nurse whose background is in the specialist area of eating disorders; she has worked within the NHS in an inpatient setting for over 12 years.
Naomi is joining us after training with the HERD Institute and qualifying as a counsellor at university - more information and photo to follow!
Lisa Beverley
EFL
Lisa is joining us after training with the HERD Institute and a lifelong relationship with horses - more information and photo to follow
Sarah Birrane
EFL and Director
Sarah Birrane is an Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) Practitioner who is qualified and registered with LEAP equine.
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Sarah has previously worked in a charitable organisation called Urban Riderz where she gave the community the opportunity to interact with horses.
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Sarah is passionate about giving everyone the opportunity to experience the beautiful connection that horses can provide, and have the opportunity to learn what these amazing animals can teach us, and use this to transform their lives.
Kenton Mills
Director
Kenton is a qualified secondary school teacher and practising graphic designer. Kenton helps support Danielle (as her husband!) and the animals at Pony Partnerships as well as counsulting on pedagogy and IT and design!
