Having lived with ADD all of my life; that was what attracted me to this organization. My first encounter with PBJ Connections was actually a meeting with the lead therapy animals; Rocky (horse) and Eddie (donkey). The animals drew me in, grabbed my heart and took me along with them. Those two wonderful animals brought me into the program, and then I learned about what those two amazing animals do with the help of professionals.
PBJ Connections has been a life-changing experience for me; just seeing how these animals work with kids in need of mental and behavioral health therapies. And, seeing the happiness that these animals bring to both kids and adults, that alone, keeps me going.
In a time in when there is so much stress and anxiety among the youth population, making a connection with kids in need is so important. PBJ Connections focuses on providing these needed services.
I have been involved with PBJ since it's beginnings. It has grown tremendously over the years. One only has to look at the faces of clients as they work with the horses and a light bulb goes on as they associate the reactions of the horses with the reactions of people in their lives to see how well this therapy works. PBJ's commitment to serving the mental health/ behavioral issues of all regardless of ability to pay and the wonderful results they achieve make them worthy of all the support they can get.
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I have been involved with PBJ Connections from the start and have watched it grow along with it's clients. The staff are true professionals, as the many referrals from schools, mental health organizatios, and other mental health professionals will attest.I only wish the unique kind of services they offer were available to more kids and families and if I were in a position to make a large donation to any organization, it would go right to them. In the meantime I'll continue to give what I can and volunteer my services.
PGJ Connections is a wonderful organization helping emotionally heal others through horses. As a volunteer, I have always been treated wonderfully by its staff and would recommend the organization to anyone.
PBJ Connections is a wonderful organization. The help that they give to children and families makes a huge difference. I hope people will donate lots of money to the organization to allow them to provide this service for many years to come.
As a mental health professional, I have had the opportunity to witness kids and adults who were very guarded and not responsive to traditional counseling blossom as result of their experience with PB and J. I was amazed to see how quickly and positively people relate to horses and I have been consistently impressed by the quality of the staff. I became involved in PB and J in retirement because my 40+ years of experience in mental health care told me that this is the place to help kids and families!
The work that PBJ Connections does and the difference they make in the lives of the clients and their families is absolutely amazing. It is an extremely effective therapy and one that could help a large number of youth.
Being a horse owner myself, I know what it takes to keep a facility like PBJ running and it's not easy. But, I am continually impressed with the dedication and care given to the horses and donkeys, and to the clients and the amount of services provided on a limited budget. A great deal of thought and care is put into all they do.
I've volunteered a few times at PBJ - brushing horses, etc. - because a friend raved about the place and I wanted to get a feel for what equine-assisted therapy was all about. The staff gave demonstrations with the horses that gave me a feel for what goes on - and a lightbulb went off in my head: Animals are amazing intuitive "therapists", able to effortlessly get to the heart of the matter, comfort, guide, even protect and provide a safe emotional haven. PBJ knows what it's doing in this field, and stories I've heard from clients/staff/volunteers bear this out: They and their horses work miracles ... on a shoestring budget.
This organization consistantly promotes professionalism in the field of equine assisted psychotherapy as well as in the general mental health field. PBJ Connections is filling a great need within Central Ohio for affordable mental health care for youths and families. The staff are well educated and the program is cutting edge.
PBJ Connections is a great organization that is serving the childen of Central Ohio. All of the staff and contractors are dedicated to doing the right thing for the clients and are making a big difference in the community. This is a well run company with visibility into their operations.
I was with PBJ for a year as an intern and now work as a contracted horse professional. PBJ Connections has a unique spirit in the non-profit community. The directors value integrity, sustainability, and compassion, and it shows. As both a horse professional and an intern I have had opportunities to meet and work with some amazing horses, facilitators, and clients. These clients were able to find interpersonal strength through their work with the horses and improve their lives in many ways.