| About Birchwood Farm |
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| On a weekly basis, I meet people who don’t see their own potential… people who
underestimate their inner strength… people who don’t realize that they have choices.
I know the feeling. I did not begin to realize my potential until the day twelve years ago when I made a life-changing choice, I left my native Germany to come to the US for what I believed would be a six-month period. I needed to learn “business“ English in order to excel in my profession as an advertising executive in an international network of advertising agencies |
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| Suddenly, I was separated from my family and my accustomed life. I was living in a foreign country in one of the biggest and fastest cities in the world, New York City. I was
confronted with living a life that required me to take risks, make independent decisions and live with the consequences of my choices. Not only did I learn to speak business English, I learned to speak a much more profound language… the language of Self. |
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Today I realize that my choice to endure those times of loneliness and isolation from my family and friends brought me to my personal path in life. I developed the strength to
follow my heart and recognize my calling… creating an environment to support people
who feel there is more to life than they are currently experiencing and are willing to
do the work to become the amazing people they are meant to be.
One of the most wondrous aspects of this work is that I am not alone in helping people find their path. I am joined by some of the most special creatures on earth…horses.
Their highly developed sensing skills make horses ideal co-facilitators. When we enter the arena with a horse, the horse becomes immediately aware of our emotional state. By joining their herd, we are able to see our own energy reflected in the horse’s behavior. |
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Nicole Birkholzer |
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| As the primary facilitator, my role is to create a setting where horses and humans can connect. I let their interactions and relationship develop naturally, while guiding the client to self-discovery. By creating a safe and supportive space, I help the client to recognize life patterns and emotional behaviors. The interactions exhibited in the arena represent how the client approaches relationships and challenges in their everyday life. |
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| Through my coaching, clients are able to address their perceived limitations and adopt new behaviors. By applying these new skills with the horses, the clients get immediate feedback. Mirroring the human emotions and energy, the horses quickly reflect the clients’ shift in attitude. Clients come away with a new, positive sense of how to “be“ in the world. |
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| There is no greater joy than seeing the client have a revelation, a moment of catharsis triggered by the interaction with the horse. When I hear weeks later how the client incorporated the learning and insights and how much it has affected their life, I know that our work was impactful. When I see people take on their challenges, conquer their fears and experience personal growth beyond what they had hoped for, I marvel at the power of this unusual experience. |
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| The time spent at Birchwood Farm is a journey to the self… the same kind of journey I have been on since the day I stepped off the plane at JFK International Airport. |
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| I have learned that by closely examining our feelings and behaviors, we begin to understand what is holding us back and what stands in the way of our becoming the people we are meant to be. |
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| Neither the horses nor myself are attached to a particular outcome; the experience is all about the client and the chance to open a door and change a life. Who would have guessed that a unique interaction with horses could help people find their own truth?
Who would have imagined that a 1200 pound flight animal could provide one of the most meaningful and moving experiences in life? |
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*Certified Coach, New Agreements Coach Training Institute ‘Coaching with Intent”
*Graduate of Equine Science and Management Program of Kentucky Horse Park, KY
*Developed Curriculum of Barn Assistant Vocational Program
*Certified by EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association)
*Former Director of Therapeutic Riding Center
*Advanced NARHA Therapeutic Riding Instructor
*Mass. Licensed Instructor |
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