Animal-assisted therapy is an exciting therapeutic treatment method to help individuals of all ages, as well as couples, families, organizations, and groups.
Animal-assisted therapy is an exciting therapeutic treatment method to help individuals of all ages, as well as couples, families, organizations, and groups.
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Why Choose Animal-Assisted Therapy?
At Fields for Growth, we offer an unparalleled, hands-on experience harnessing the incredible power of horses and other animals, including pigs, goats, dogs, cats, donkeys, and ducks, as therapeutic support to promote and support educational, social, and emotional growth and development.
Whether in a wide arena or a beautiful green pasture, sessions with our animals are conducted on the ground, mounted, and/or riding (as applicable).
The uniqueness of working with our animals provides important therapeutic sensory components. Imagine the power of transforming your mental or emotional challenges into physical obstacles, where you can successfully guide your animal – and yourself – through increasing your social and emotional wellness.
Discover your inner strength, increase your self-worth, learn new skills, and change your internal dialogue while you work side-by-side with our incredible animals.
OUR SERVICES
Who We Serve
Individuals
Our clients range in age from 3 – 80+. We also work with couples and families.
Businesses & Groups
Organizational therapy for businesses and groups, helping teams work together and move forward in safe, healthy, and effective ways
Clinical Supervision
Supervision for training clinicians utilizing animals, including increasing self-awareness regarding clinical skills, addressing biases, and multicultural applications
In-Services & Classes
Providing schools, agencies, colleges, and universities with structured in-services and/or classes, and may include continuing education hours
Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling Certification
Training for clinicians to obtain ATTC certification
OUR SERVICES
What do We Treat?
The Fields for Growth animal-assisted therapy team works to treat or identify a variety of mental health challenges, including:
- Anxiety Treatment
- Depression Treatment
- Gender Identity Counseling
- Trauma Treatment
- PTSD Treatment
- Grief Counseling
- Life Transition Counseling
- Divorce Counseling
- Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment
- Substances Abuse Counseling
- Sexual/Physical Abuse
- Transition and Adjustment (including divorce)
- Neurodivergence
- Learning Difficulty Counseling
- Social Skills Counseling
- Emotional Regulation Treatment
- Marital & Family Issues
- Organizational Communication Skill Enhancement
- Certification Training for Animal-assisted Therapy
ABOUT US
Meet Our Team
Dr. Sandra L. Kakacek, Ed. D, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Dr. Kakacek is a former special education supervisor, an equine-assisted therapist since 2001 & animal-assisted therapist since 2017.
Kaitlyn Twardzik, MS. Ed.
Clinical Mental Health Counselor and ABA-registered Technician
Kaitlyn is a graduate of Northern Illinois University in Rehabilitation, and is an ABA registered technician with children.
ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS
- Kakacek, S. L. & Twardzik, K. (2021) An Arena for Change: Treating Trauma with Animal-Assisted Therapy in the time of the Pandemic and Return to the Arena. International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling, Networker, Summer 2021, Volume 1. Alexandria, VA.
- Kakacek, S. L. & Twardzik, K. (2020) An Arena for Change: Animal-Assisted Therapy in the time of the Pandemic. Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association, Newsletter, DeKalb, IL
- Kakacek, S. L. (2016) Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Applying Strengths-Based Solutions in an Arena for Change. In Handbook of Strengths-Based Clinical Practices, Edwards, J.K., Young, A., & Nikels, H.J. (Eds). pp. 192-206. Routledge: New York.
- Kakacek, S. L. (2014). Mini Horses in Action. Illinois Counseling Contact, DeKalb, IL
- Kakacek, S. L. (2010). Success stories with challenging clients. Counseling Today, 53, 34.
- Kakacek, S. L. (2010). An Arena for Change. An overview of equine-assisted psychotherapy. Illinois Counselor, 2, 28-29.
- Kakacek, S. L. (2009). An Arena for Change. VISTAS Online American Counseling Association.
- Kakacek, S. L. & Ottens, A. J. (2008). An Arena for Success: Exploring Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Michigan Journal of Counseling: Research, Theory and Practice, 35, 14- 23.
- Kakacek, S. (2004), Mind and body connection. EAGALA, Santaquin, UT: EAGALA.
OUR ANIMALS
TESTIMONIALS
Why our clients love animal-assisted therapy
If people are having problems in their lives, they should go to horse therapy to get in touch with their inner selves and relieve stress. Once they leave there, they’ll have smiles on their faces. Most dudes like to be tough, but on the inside, a horse opens [you up] and brings out the softness.
Bill
Age 17
I enjoyed having fun interactions with colleagues, including the animals Wanda (pig) and Chief (horse) in a different environment to address our goals and obstacles. It was great to have common references and approaching the concept of environmental social justice. No one and nothing was wrong or talked over or corrected. Alternatives were presented. Tangible interactions and problem solving was what I liked best with life and living beings.
Group Client
Organization Therapy Session
I have a client I am struggling with working with a client to make changes. I took the horse and tried to pull him to move, even a little bit. Nothing happened. Then I was asked “how is that working for you?” I said “It is not.” Then I was asked, “what else might you do?” I said, “Walk next to the horse as a partner in their moves....Aha—I got it. I will walk with my client, rather than pulling them to where I think they should be.
Clinician
Clinical Supervision Session
I like coming here because I get to tell Guinea my secrets and what I am sad and mad about. [When I clean] his [hooves], I clean his dirt and I can let go of what is making me sad and mad.
Lucy
Age 5
I am in therapy at an office and here at the farm. I enjoy this more because it is interactive, When I hold Boo the cat or hold Guinea’s rope, I am relaxed and can talk about things I have never shared with anyone before.
John
Age 21
I can learn to be more gentle if we have Kitty in our sessions.
Tommy
Age 6
VISIT FIELDS FOR GROWTH
Where We Are
Fields for Growth is located on ERC Farms at 23803 Grange Rd, Marengo, IL 60152, which can be found off of Route 23, on Grange Road, and is south of downtown Marengo. Burlington and Sycamore are south of ERC. Harvard is north of ERC. Huntley and Hampshire are east or ERC. Belvidere and Rockford are west of ERC Farms.
