About Us
Our Mission and Vision
Vision
Through equity, compassion, and consideration for the unique needs of all creatures, we will work to remove the barriers, such as lack of funding or resources, which keep humans or horses in need from accessing a safe and healthy place of solace by pursuing our four organisational goals.
Our goals
Community Therapy Projects:
At Sundance Solace Society, building collaborative relation ships is a top priority. Through local partnerships, we will increase our reach within the community, connect with like-minded agencies, and create greater opportunities for sustainable change.
We live in a time where resources are scarce and we believe that if we work together we can accomplish more goals. It is our hope to reduce the need for competition among community organizations and to become allies in the work for the betterment
of horse and humans. Therefore, we define Community Therapy Projects as time sensitive projects with a start and end date. They will be created through grant writing initiatives either lead by our society or another non profit organization. They will support the health and well-being of our communities in an inclusive way that impacts mental health. Our Society will help write, create, and implement the
programming in collaboration with external organizations. We will help fill in the needs of the community. The organizations we partner with for the projects must identify as struggling or having little or no resources available to their clients.
Animals In Need:
There are many ways in which we can help heal our world and it is our belief that all creatures have emotional and mental well-being needs. We know that animals contribute to our health and we to theirs through living in co-being relationships. As such we know that to improve our mental health we need the support of not only other people but the help of other sentient beings which we need to take responsibility for. Every life counts and we will work with other organizations to help support the better treatment of animals.
Individual Sponsorship Program:
Our Individual Sponsorship Program will provide funding for those without the resources to access mental health services. Participants may apply to be sponsored and have the option to choose a therapist who is qualified to provide services in keeping with our mission and vision. Eligible participants do not possess the resources to access mental health services, do not qualify for other sources of funding, and would benefit from our unique form of therapy. The board reviews applications and makes decisions in regards to how much funding will be provided, establish a length of time for services, and suggest an appropriate therapist. We will fund-raise to support this initiative.
Fundraising for all:
We will take on fundraising projects that support our mission and vision.
Eco-therapy and Equine Assisted Counselling
About Sundance Solace Society and the use of Eco-therapy and Equine Assisted Counselling when addressing Mental Health Incorporating Nature and Horses:
Sundance Solace Society is an Abbotsford based non-profit organization, which believes in combining elements of traditional counselling and Equine Facilitated Counselling (EFC) with Nature-based Wellness to address mental health challenges.
Equine Facilitated Counselling offers an innovative approach to intervention by partnering with horses to support people of all ages (children, youth, and adults) who are seeking to address life challenges. EFC is an experiential psychotherapy that may include mutually respectful equine activities such as leading, grooming, and riding. Facilitation in our program includes the use of gentle metaphors, narratives, and creative play. When people see themselves through the non-judgmental and forgiving eyes of a horse, it is easier to explore and invite changes.
Research has shown that the benefits of EFC can include symptom reduction, a greater sense of responsibility, boundary setting, healthy communication, an increase in self-esteem and self-awareness, and the development of empathy that enhances
relational competencies (Chardonnens, 2011; Marx & Cumella, 2003; Shultz, 2007). This becomes important in that it increases the transfer of knowledge and experiences to other family members, making EFC beneficial to more than just the individual attending the therapy session or program. Through this process, EFC comprehensively promotes individual, family, community wellness, and group cohesion.
Guiding Principles
Solace (the place):
We are committed to contributing to the harmony and peace at Sundance Solace Society by ensuring that a place of comfort and consolation is available to humans and horses experiencing distress.
Awareness (looking out for the other):
We will open our ears, eyes, and hearts to the details of our environment, the space and events we invite others to participate in, and how we contribute to the healthy and safe emotional and physical state of participants, horses, animals, staff, and volunteers.
Fairness (understanding all):
We commit to equality, inclusive rights, and non-judgmental treatment of all creatures and offer unconditional support and kindness.
Compassion (our actions):
We are continually aware of and sensitive to the experiences of others and commit to offering necessary services in a deeply caring manner.
Openness (not one is the expert):
Through bringing our real authentic selves to the Society we demonstrate integrity of words and actions. We are committed to providing the highest quality of services and creating strong, mutually empowering/beneficial/healthy relationships.
Community Mental Health
At Sundance Solace Society, building collaborative relationships is a top priority. Through local partnerships, we are able to increase our reach within the community, connect with like-minded agencies, and create greater opportunities for sustainable change. We live in a time where resources are scarce and we believe that if we work together we can accomplish more goals. It is our hope to reduce competition among community organizations and to become allies in the work for the betterment of horses and humans.
Meet the Board Members

Cristina Rennie
President
My hopes in creating this organisation are that I can share the light and warmth of the sun that shines at the farm with all people and animals that come together there. I want to work everyday in the trees and with horses. I want my office to be outside where we play and laugh and learn through nature. I want to share the joy I have felt through my entire life with the relationships I have with all creatures and in particular horses. I believe that we will see big impacts in the people who come for emotional and mental support. Horses, nature, good people, active volunteers, fundraising and free mental health will make Sundance Solace Society champions in the social services field. I invite you to join our committees and initiatives!

Kari Goguely
Vice President
Being a lover of nature and a believer of the magic within each of us, it is my desire to create an opportunity to bring those together. Having worked with chronically homeless with mental health and addictions I have been witness to the gentle opening and healing that happens with equestrian therapy.
Erin Jones
Treasurer
I started volunteering at Sundance Solace Society in 2016 because a friend said I should check it out. I continue to volunteer my time and skills because I believe that mental health and well being is as important as physical health and well being, and it should be accessable to all, even those with limited financial resources. Time spent in nature and with animals is a gift, and Sundance Solace Society honours and encourages this experience for all.
Celina Knelson
Having a passion for working alongside both horses and people, I was very drawn to an opportunity that brought both of these areas of my life together. The thereuptic benefits of incorporating both horses and nature into the work that is done alongside people continues to fascinate me every single day. Being a part of Sundance Solace Society has allowed me the opportunity to be part of a team that strives to combine all of these beautiful interests to provide free mental health therapy to those who utilizie these services.
Natalya Jokuthy
Secretary

Projects
Peardonville Treatment Center Therapy Group
Mountainside Secondary School Therapy Group
Project Dream Farm

Community Support

Horse Protection Society of BC
Working Together

Sponsors
Valley Pulp and Sawdust Carriers Ltd
Flying Horse Design Studio
For more information click through to their website!
Fraser Valley Building Supplies
Ready to become a sponsor?

Donations and Contributions
Individual Sponsorship Program
Participants will apply for sponsorship, the Board will review the application and if successful and funds allow, they have the option to choose an available therapist.
All resources for Individual Sponsorship are 100 % supported through fundraising efforts. By choosing this funding route you would be directly impacting an individual who would not normally be able to access this amazing therapy.
- 5 sessions – 700$
- 10 sessions – 1400$
- 15 sessions – 2100$
- 20 sessions – 2800$
Community Therapy Projects & Mental Health
If you would like to sponsor a specific collaboration please ask for details of projects we are currently working on! This year we are focusing on two amazing organizations with the goal to complete a grant process and secure funding to begin programming by 2017!
Peardonville Treatment Center in Abbotsford
Mountainview Secondary School in North Vancouver.
If you would like to help sponsor a program each one would cost approximately $100,000 per year for full programming
Animals In Need
As such we know that to improve our mental health we need the support of not only other people but the help of other sentient beings which we need to take responsibility for.
Every life counts and we will work with other organizations to help support the better treatment of animals to live in co-being and the ones that support us in our work.
We are currently collaborating with Horse Protection Society BC and our goal is to foster horses from HPS and help with re-training and finding their forever home. While they are being rehabilitated they will also be a part of the therapy programs at Shamrock and Sundance.
To support one horse a monthly donation of $1500 would greatly help our needs!
Community Ring Days
An example of an ongoing way to raise money for Sundance Solace Society’ mission and vision is to have public “by-donation” arena use on a weekly basis. Currently there are no facilities in this area that offer this opportunity in a community-focused way, where the funds would support a sponsorship program that provides individuals with free mental health services. Groups from the community can hold workshops on a variety of mental health and/or equine topics, the proceeds of which will go to Sundance Solace Society. This is a creative ongoing source of funding with little effort needed to sustain its function!
To build our Dream ring we still need to raise $200 000 dollars to complete this project
Competition sponsorship
We would love to have your logo on our equipment and sponsorship of entry fees!
Donations
If you would like to donate to our current needs, Project Dream Farm is our lead project at this time with the following opportunities for donations:
- Farm related items
- Equipment & materials
- Expertise
- Contractor
- Plumber
- Roofer – arena experience
- Drainage
- Electrician
- Draftsman
- Equipment
- Earth moving
- Levelling
- Compacting
- Fence post setting
- Supplies for our Project Dream Farm
- Footing
- Gravel
- Sand
- Drainage
- Hog Fuel
- Gates

- Yard work; lawn cutting, blackberry trimming, wood piling, weed control
- Field work
- Fence repairs
- General building and facility development
- Gardening
Specialized tasks
- Grant Writing
- Community Awareness Projects
- Fundraising and Donations
- Marketing and social media
- Special Events
- Research
- Finance projects – charity status, books, accounting
- Morning Care: feeding, water, cleaning
- Evening Care: feeding, water, cleaning
- Horse exercise
- Tack care and cleaning
Administrative
- File organization
- Office cleaning
- Organizing research information
- Recording meeting minutes
- Document creation
Programming
- Youth mentoring volunteer