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I met Straja Linder King in early 2006 while I was going through numerous difficult changes and challenges in my life. Engaging in Straja's group art therapy classes and individual art therapy sessions at the Strawberry Moon Studio in Calgary were an immense part of my healing journey. I can never thank her enough for all she has done to help me heal my past losses and move forward in my life towards the open skies of opportunity and sunrises of hope. We all need hope. Hope drives us to mve forward, to heal our losses, to take courage and to take the next step - stepping stones as Straja would call it. Straja has always been that breeze of hope beneath my wings of flight...
Lisa |
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Intellectually, spiritually and intuitively I KNOW that animal-assisted therapy has an impact on the ability for a person to heal. BUT, knowing all those things doesn't compare to actually experiencing the spark, the moment when the sight of an animal, in a place or environment you don't expect, happens.
Last evening, after a long emotional day preceded by 20 emotional, scary and very painful days...I was laying in my hospital bed when I glanced up to see a white fluff-ball of a dog casually strolling down the hallway of my ward. I reacted with pure joy. I know it showed on my face as his 'handler' recognized my need, my attraction and my welcome for such a creature to be in my space. Of course upon afterthought I can justify my reaction by saying that the therapy dog reminded me of both my long passed and MUCH loved dogs, but I cannot deny that instant of absolute JOY of seeing a four legged, non-judgmental, living in the moment animal that I knew I needed to be close to.
That split second completely turned my evening and emotional day around. The next 15 minutes passed by quickly, but without a doubt grounded me and reminded me of health, of 'life' and unconditional love.
Thank you Straja for doing what you do.
Michou
Last evening, after a long emotional day preceded by 20 emotional, scary and very painful days...I was laying in my hospital bed when I glanced up to see a white fluff-ball of a dog casually strolling down the hallway of my ward. I reacted with pure joy. I know it showed on my face as his 'handler' recognized my need, my attraction and my welcome for such a creature to be in my space. Of course upon afterthought I can justify my reaction by saying that the therapy dog reminded me of both my long passed and MUCH loved dogs, but I cannot deny that instant of absolute JOY of seeing a four legged, non-judgmental, living in the moment animal that I knew I needed to be close to.
That split second completely turned my evening and emotional day around. The next 15 minutes passed by quickly, but without a doubt grounded me and reminded me of health, of 'life' and unconditional love.
Thank you Straja for doing what you do.
Michou
Equine Therapy is an amazing experience. The connection I felt with my horse and the experience as a whole was educational and enlightening. I felt confident in the expertise of our hostess and the 1:1 coaching I received. I had no idea there was so much to learn without even mounting a horse. In our group were people who were experienced riders and those not so confident but every one of us took away something of value. I would say to anyone, if you get the chance, go and be guided through communing with a horse.
Darcy
Darcy
"Thank you for today. Your kindness, respect and skill were such beautiful gifts for us. I could see A. was filled with joy due to the time she spent with you, and I felt more relaxed myself, knowing that A. was entrusted to loving hands. I have felt very stressed with the full weight of A.'s development, as my husband has been un-well for most of her life with chronic pain. Today I felt I had some support, as I saw A's confidence increase and she was full of happy chatter for the rest of the afternoon. She informed me that we both need more friends like you."
Leslie
Leslie
"I feel I cannot adequately write about nor articulate well enough the tremendous gift of Art and Animal-Assisted therapy, nor truly express the enormous healing and health that occurs from the therapeutic counselling sessions I witnessed... but here is my humble attempt to describe what I experienced with Straja Linder King, when she facilitated a series of employee workshops for the staff of "Families Matter" in January 2012:
Straja's use of Art therapy together with Animal-Assisted therapy creates a dialogue for "I and thou" within a safe container. The Animal assistance helps the synergy of the physical body to become grounded in the present and connected to the earth, both individually and in the group dynamic. The animal becomes a physical form of the energy manifested, which is recognizable and identify-able by all human beings, and certainly all of the participants in our sessions.
Because Art therapy is also a method of non-verbal communication, it has the ability to gently encourage the human spirit to express its sacred self, in both colour and form. I believe Art therapy provides opportunity for disclosure to self without the risk of external violation or judgement. The twinned therapies (both Art and Animal-Assisted therapy used together), support deep healing without creating trauma to the individual client or within the group.
My experience from working with Straja and her twinned therapies is that the process facilitated a quick development of relationship within the group that further enhanced the recognition of safety and mutuality. I believe this work demonstrated to be a successful method and tool for healing, team building, community development, and that it could do so in a corporate or other environment as well.
Please use my testimonial in anyway which would support and assist the valuable work that you are doing Straja. Should you wish to use either my name or number as a reference I would be happy to do so."
Charmaine Mattheys
Families Matter.
Straja's use of Art therapy together with Animal-Assisted therapy creates a dialogue for "I and thou" within a safe container. The Animal assistance helps the synergy of the physical body to become grounded in the present and connected to the earth, both individually and in the group dynamic. The animal becomes a physical form of the energy manifested, which is recognizable and identify-able by all human beings, and certainly all of the participants in our sessions.
Because Art therapy is also a method of non-verbal communication, it has the ability to gently encourage the human spirit to express its sacred self, in both colour and form. I believe Art therapy provides opportunity for disclosure to self without the risk of external violation or judgement. The twinned therapies (both Art and Animal-Assisted therapy used together), support deep healing without creating trauma to the individual client or within the group.
My experience from working with Straja and her twinned therapies is that the process facilitated a quick development of relationship within the group that further enhanced the recognition of safety and mutuality. I believe this work demonstrated to be a successful method and tool for healing, team building, community development, and that it could do so in a corporate or other environment as well.
Please use my testimonial in anyway which would support and assist the valuable work that you are doing Straja. Should you wish to use either my name or number as a reference I would be happy to do so."
Charmaine Mattheys
Families Matter.
"Working with Straja and her team is one of the most cathartic experiences that everyone should have the opportunity to experience and enjoy. We recently challenged Straja to facilitate a surprise workshop to recognize and thank some amazing people who have committed to supporting persons with disabilities. The evening exceeded our expectations and will be a positive memory for years to come."
Wendy, Kathy and Susan
Road Ahead Society of Calgary
"Straja creates a teaching and learning experience like no other... insightful, empowering, compassionate and expansive."
Jan, Retreat Coach
"We go deep and the depth stays and works in its own way... well into the future."
Mary, PhD
"Through art therapy I found the deepest part of me, the self-love, where everything needed to start to heal, to become a whole me and to put the past behind."
Laura Lee, Master Herbalist
