Pictured here with Sonya Vellenga, Executive Director, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
Today we are celebrating excellence: “the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.”
I believe our horses, our team members and our community partners are truly outstanding and extremely good at what they do. It’s why we are able to offer one-of-a-kind leadership development, team building and coaching experiences. It’s also why I believe we had the honour of receiving the Health and Wellness Excellence Award for our programs last night at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce-hosted Business Excellence Awards. Check out the Chamber’s video of Health and Wellness Category Finalists here and a our interview post-awards with Paul Teleki.
We are grateful for our community partners Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre and Trent University’s Emotion and Health Research Laboratory and our shared initiative Building Internal Resilience Through Horses. This innovative program is open to young women aged 13 – 18 who have witnessed or experienced family conflict, dating violence, or other forms of abuse. The program is designed to promote healthy self-esteem, emotional awareness, coping skills and personal resilience.
In January, 2017, we hosted the announcement event here at the farm with the Hon. Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha announcing KSAC’s successful application to receive $464,983 contribution fund, over four years, to deliver the program. The funding is part of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Innovation Strategy supporting the Health of Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse through Community Programs. KSAC was one of over 150 agencies from across Canada to apply for the funding and one of 16 organizations to successfully receive funding.
We are grateful for the opportunity to support Bellwood’s Addiction & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Operational Stress Injuries Treatment Program clients with an offering called Equine Support for Post-Trauma Growth. Working together with our herd and participating in a series of facilitated experiential learning activities, participants explore what’s possible on their journey to Post-Trauma Growth. Bellwood is an international leader in addiction treatment with over 30 years of experience and is a preferred provider of the Canadian Forces and Veteran’s Affairs Canada for the concurrent treatment of Addiction and PTSD/OSI since 2005. In July, 2017 — we recognized the participation of our 100th client from Bellwood since 2015 — with 96% of participants indicating the experience was mostly or very useful to them on their healing journey.
We are also grateful to be in a community that recognizes and celebrates small business and entrepreneurial spirit. I want to take this opportunity to recognize all of the Business Excellence Award winners. Congratulations to Pulse Physiotherapy and Salti Yoga for being finalists in the Health and Wellness Category. Along with Sofie Andreou & Associates, The Mane Intent also received an Award of Merit in the Micro Business Category — and this award was rightfully presented to Celtic Connection of Lakefield, Ontario.
Accepting our 2017 Business Excellence Award on behalf of our team, horses and partners was particularly special because:
- I was able to share the experience with my husband and life partner of 28 years, Chris van den Berg;
- I was able to publicly recognize our team including KSAC Executive Director Sonya Vellenga and Trent University researcher Dr. Katia Keefer for the wonderful work they do;
- The Health and Wellness award was sponsored by Peterborough Regional Health Centre and presented by its CEO Dr. Peter McLaughlin. In the past 10 years I have had an opportunity to support PRHC as its interim Director of Communications on two occasions and have personally worked with Dr. McLaughlin — someone I admire and respect;
- I am a Trent Alumni and it is was an opportunity to recognize my alma mater; and
- Because today is the birthday of my late dad, Mel Garland, and I know he would be so proud.
Jennifer Garland and Raven, a natural coach at The Mane Intent
About The Author: Jennifer Garland is the Owner/Program Director of The Mane Intent, offering Health and Wellness Workshops and Individual and Team Effectiveness Coaching. Jennifer’s intent is to bring horses and humans together to explore new possibilities, getting you out of your comfort zone and giving clarity of voice to your leader within. She has over 25 years of leadership experience in communications, cause-related marketing and change management. As a strategist, facilitator and effectiveness coach, Jennifer has provided counsel and support to senior leaders from all walks of life to build productive relationships, facilitate learning and to embrace change. She is a ‘socialpreneur’ who values the art of living life fully with intent. Book your experience today — call us at 705-295-6618.
