About Us
Melody Acres is located on Highway 6/10 close, South of Owen Sound. Our facility houses 17 permanent stalls. In addition to an indoor arena, we have two large outside pens and a 60ft. round ring. Partners In Process is a nationally recognized experiential learning and therapeutic resource for individuals, families, schools.
We use experiential learning modalities to challenge and develop positive emotional, mental, behavioural , physical and social skills of those who may be at risk or have special needs. In a setting that is relaxed and informal. Equine-assisted programs are short-term in nature. It is a form of therapy that makes a lasting impression. EAP promotes change from dysfunctional patterns to healthy behaviours. It creates a 'natural high'. It is real time therapy , clients have the ability to process the experience while in the presence of the here and now with professional staff .
Owner Melanie Gray comes from a business background in buying, marketing and sales. She is a level 2 coach with the C.E.F. and holds several judges cards with the American Pinto Horses Assoc., Western Horse Assoc., Canadian Equestrian Federation, General Performance Official, American Miniature Assoc., National Judge for Canadian Appaloosa Club, National Show Steward , Ring Steward, Canadian Appaloosa Club, C.E.F.r Arabian Judge and is currently working on other disciplines.
I do offer rider level programs with the development of abilities to become a coach yourself. I am also an equine massage specialist and have done approximately 450 case studies all being a very positive and helpful reward to our equine friend. My ongoing work is rewarding to me. Being able to help some very important show cattle to obtain their show record with the help of massage.
I am truly delighted in being a part of this wonderful industry and thankful to all that have chosen to work with me. I'm also proud that you're a part of becoming a professional in the art of Western Riding.
Team Partner and Counsellor
Dr. Joan K. McAndrew has been a Registered Psychologist in
the Province of Ontario for over 30 years. She has had thriving private practice in Grey County since 1990. In 2010 she joined our team and has been instrumental in introducing the use of Equine Assisted Therapy for several of her clients. Dr. McAndrew summarizes her work with us as follows.
“EAT can be very effective in helping clients with long-standing psychological issues move beyond an intellectual appreciation of their situations. Working with Melanie and her horses has allowed one woman to grieve the loss of a family member who committed suicide; a depressed man to appreciate the importance of his role in his extended family; and several abused women regain a sense of their ability to manage their own lives effectively”.
“Beyond the use of EAT for adult clients, the use of horses with underprivileged, abused, and at-risk to offend teenagers and young adults is nothing short of stunning. One of the major difficulties all highly trained professionals have with this specialized group of individuals is our ability to effectively talk with and relate to the personal experiences of these clients. Few of us have been beaten-up, watched our parents beat each other up, been sexually or emotionally abused, and/or been discarded as ‘useless’ by our parents or extended family. When therapists talk about goals and objectives, appropriate behaviour and future dreams we sound like every other privileged adult these kids have ever encountered. We are ‘tuned out’ and the kids continue to suffer.
“When the horses, Melanie and the therapist work together as a united team with each player providing their own specialized skills, these kids become engaged and experience true ‘caring and love’ often for the very first time in their lives. Their harden shells start to disintegrate and true psychological growth begins to occur.
“Supporting this service is an ongoing challenge in a world that focuses on numbers, recidivism rates, dollars and cents. I believe that a responsible society needs to provide EAT
services to these individuals if we are truly interested in breaking the cycle of abuse that these people have endured. I will continue to work with Melanie and her program as long as it is available.
Dr. Joan K. McAndrew can be contacted for information about
our services at 519-369-1700 during office hours.
Her complete resume is available here.
