- Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, INVOLVE ME AND I LEARN!

With hands-on experience, you become a craftsman, whether at a job or in life.

About Us

Changing Gaits, Inc. (CGI) uses Equine Assisted Addiction Services (EAAS) as a non-traditional tool for emotional growth and learning of positive attitudes and behaviors for alcohol and drug therapy. Although EAAS is not a new means of treating various addictions throughout the United States, it is relatively under-utilized in Minnesota.

Changing Gaits, Inc. was founded in June 2004 by Nile "Guy" Kaufman, a Level 1 Certified Equine Specialist through Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). He has an extensive background in horse training, trail leading, and lessons, and has been a keynote speaker at facilities that specialize in drug and alcohol addiction. He also participated as an assistant at an in-house treatment facility for recovering adolescents.

Changing Gaits, Inc. is modeled after techniques used by EAGALA, which includes collaborative efforts between a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC) and an equine specialist who work together to design sessions that require the client to apply specific Life Skills. Equine therapy is not about horseback riding or horsemanship; in fact, 90% of the skills are accomplished on the ground. The process is not a replacement for, but a compliment to, other treatment options, and can be used for group or individual therapy sessions.

Our Mission

"To Use The Healing Bond With Horses to Teach, Guide, and Encourage Positive Attitudes and Behavior."

Our Vision

• Properly assess and provide a corrective emotional experience for our clientele
• Provide a safe working environment
• Continually develop our program and resources to improve the services we provide

The Team

Nile (Guy) Kaufman - President

Mr. Kaufman has an extensive background in horse training, trail leading and lessons. He has been a keynote speaker at facilities that specialize in drug and alcohol addiction. He also was an assistant at an in-house treatment facility for recovering adolescents. Guy is also certified at Level 1 by EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) .

Cheryl Shanahan, Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor/Board Certified Counselor, Reciprocal

Cheryl has been working in the Chemical Dependency Field as a Counselor since 1980. She has worked with persons from adolescent to senior citizens; persons from urban and rural communities as well as the inner city. She has attended ongoing educational workshops and seminars; including 36+ hours of cultural diversity: 25 hours and is Quest certified for prevention program offered by Lions Club International; 32 hours of recidivism programming with Bill Plum; many CEU's on Addiction, drugs and alcohol, Domestic Abuse, all other abuse issues; family and couples issues of communication and other issues related to the disease of addiction.

Her expertise comes not only from education, but from her own personal experience as a recovering person herself since 1979, and within her own family. Being a horse woman herself, she shares a love of humans and horses with Guy Kaufman and Changing Gaits, Inc.

Challenges

Uniqueness:

• EAAS, although not a new means of treating various addictions throughout the United States, is relatively underutilized in MN. For this reason, the marketing campaign to launch and publicize CGI will be substantial yet crucial to initial success.

Clientele Insurance Reimbursement:

• At this time, CGI clientele reimbursement is being sought after under the classification of “recreational” therapy. For this reason, timing of payment for services will need to be negotiable until the Insurance Industry is more comfortable with and aware of Equine Assisted Service.

Our Accomplishments

• Horse & Family Magazine - Front cover story/feature article (06/08)
• WCCO TV Report - 10 p.m. news broadcast, Jeanette Trompeter. (4/12/07)
• We have serviced 182 people through demonstrations and sessions (3/31/07)
• Sessions and demos for individuals and treatment centers: 78 (since July 2005)
• MAAP Conference (Minnesota Association for Alternative Programs), Booth and demos, Feb. 22-23, 2006 Duluth, MN
• Radio/TV interviews: 93.5/Mora (May 2006); LovePower video interview (radio station and TV, cable channel
• Newspaper articles: Isanti County News, September 28, 2005; Phoenix (addiction newspaper), Hinckley News, June 8, 2006; Kanabec Co. Times, August 8, 2006

Opportunities

• CGI is clearly the viable alternative that many entities are seeking in lieu of “traditional” treatment.
• Previous Marketing efforts have created an opportunity for CGI to be a keynote presenter at various treatment-related conferences such as the highly attended M.A.R.C.H. conference.
• CGI has entered this market area free of existing entities providing this type of therapy service.
• CGI has secured commitments from notable entities that have shown interest or identified their desire to utilize our services.