News

Spirit Cove hosts two-day Newfie Therapy event for teachers, first responders

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 7, 2024

TimberKnolls Spirit Cove, an animal-assisted therapy organization, will offer two day-long nature and art-based mindfulness programs tailored to support K-12 educators and area first responders.

A grant from the Community Foundation of Henderson County made the pilot program possible. It will be held on the Kanuga campus on April 13 and 14.

Lisa Schiller, founder and executive director of TimberKnolls Spirit Cove, said the program intends to provide K-12 educators and first responders with the gift of stress-reducing Newfie Therapy.

While attendance is free, space is limited and registration is required. The day will include lunch, recreational downtime on the grounds at Kanuga, and a gift bag filled with art supplies and resources. Professional development certificates will also be available. For more information or to register visit newfietherapy.org/helping-heroes

The event will be facilitated by a team of experienced professionals, including:

• Program Directors Lisa Schiller and Patti Sutherland
• Director of Animal Training Benita Edds
• Art Therapy Specialist:Hannah Glenn
• Nature Therapy Specialist Betsey Sorrell
• First Responder Advisoes Ed Thompson and Jennifer Williams
• Teaching/School Staff Advisor/Creative Marketing Kelly Benton

Guided by trained Newfoundland Therapy dogs, attendees will engage in outdoor activities that promote inner peace and embrace art and nature-based mindfulness techniques for stress reduction.

“As we continue our relocation into beautiful Western North Carolina, we’ve been humbled by the warm response and high interest in our animal-assisted activities and therapy dog programs,” Schiller said. “We are indeed grateful to the Community Foundation of Henderson County for helping us make these important retreats possible.”

Specializing in the use of trained giant Newfoundlands, commonly known as "Newfies," TimberKnolls Spirit Cove extends its therapeutic support at no cost to veterans, military families, firefighters, EMS workers, doctors, nurses, teachers, children, and adults battling illness and trauma. According to Schiller, since its inception in 2018, the program has positively impacted over 137,000 individuals nationwide.

The organization closed on 16 acres in Hendersonville in December and will begin construction on a therapy ranch later this spring.

For more information about the Hope on a Leash program, contact TimberKnolls Spirit Cove Animal Assisted Therapy at 828-367-9004 or email info@newfietherapy.org