Hygiene + Screening Policies

As we navigate the Covid-19 climate, we regularly evaluate the state of the virus in our region and the impact on our organization. The health and safety of our clients, volunteers, staff and community is our priority.

Please review our current policies below:

• A Benefit & Risk Assessment may be required for all participants in our EAL and TH programs. This survey will be emailed directly and is completed virtually.

• Updated paperwork, including Covid-19 Acknowledgement, is required annually as of March 15, 2020. These forms will be emailed directly and completed with a digital signature.

• STAY HOME and/or cancel services if you have exhibited or have been in contact with someone who has presented with illness within the previous 24 hours to 2 weeks, including but not limited to: cough, sneezing, fever, chest congestion or additional signs of potential spread of any cold, virus or bacteria/disease. If you arrive on-site and are exhibiting signs of cold/virus/illness, you will be asked to leave immediately.

• A Screening Survey may be required of all persons BEFORE arriving at the farm each time. We reserve the right to a require a 10-14-day hiatus from the farm.

  • Individuals who travel out of state to current confirmed “hot spots” may be asked to wait 7-10 days before returning to services.

• Masks may be REQUIRED for clients, volunteers and staff in all sessions {EFP, EAL, TH} where 6’ social distancing can not be maintained in order to offer those services effectively. Please look for ongoing updates as it relates to our mask policies.

  • Please see our Mask Modification Policy and Statement About Social Distancing and EAAT for additional info.

• Sanitize your hands upon arrival at the facility (prior to session starting); and before you leave. The facility will make every effort to provide hand sanitizer and other cleaning materials, as long as supply chains are able to fill orders.

• In the case of most equine-assisted learning (EAL) and therapeutic horsemanship (TH) sessions, at least 1 parent or guardian (family member) in the same household may be trained and participate in the session as a “volunteer” in order to assist the individual unable to wear a mask with activities and in the event of an emergency, where social distancing is not possible.

• Parents, guardians and family members of clients who are not participating in sessions, are asked to remain in the designated parking areas, or other areas clearly identified as “waiting areas” for sessions.

• Please do not touch any of the animals, gates or fences outside of the area your session or activity is being held.

• Only use equipment and activity areas that have been reserved or set out in advance.

• All sessions and activities will be scheduled with at least
  15 minutes between clients to allow for separate arrival/departures, as well as cleaning.

We absolutely respect and understand the decision for any client/family or volunteer who does not yet feel safe participating in any level of service at any time, for any reason. Those individuals and families will not lose the opportunity to receive services or attend programs in the future, if that is the case. We will not tolerate any negative attention towards those who wish to wear masks or take other precautions.

MASK MODIFICATION POLICY

At times, masks may be REQUIRED for clients, volunteers and staff in all sessions {EFP, EAL, TH} where 6’ social distancing can not be maintained in order to offer those services effectively. This policy is to maintain the health and safety of our clients, volunteers and primary staff, several of whom are navigating pre-existing conditions, or caring for family members who are high-risk. Please review our Statement About Social Distancing and Equine-assisted Activities and Therapies below.

If an individual is unable to wear a face mask, we request a doctor’s note explaining the exemption for that specific individual. In this case, we have provided the following reasonable modifications to our face mask policy (any or all may apply):

• Individual may wear a scarf, loose face covering (gaitor-style), or full face shield instead of a face mask;

• A family member in the same household may be trained and participate in the session as a “volunteer” in order to assist the individual unable to wear a mask with activities and in the event of an emergency;

• Scheduled “socially-distant mask breaks” during sessions to allow for those who can wear a mask for a short amount of time; or

• An alternate treatment team (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist and Volunteer Team) may be offered for EAL and TH services, if available.

  • *Alternate clinicians for EFP services are not available due to the nature of the service. In this instance, tele-health services may be offered.

Mask modifications or exemptions apply to the individual only. Family members, volunteer teams and staff members are not included in the modification or exemption unless they have their own individual note/exemption.

A STATEMENT RE: COVID-19 EXPOSURE AT
OR RELATED TO OUR FACILITY

In the event that Covid-19 exposure is traced to, or related to, someone working or attending a session at our facility, the following will be put in place:

• Mandatory 1-2 week hiatus from our facility from the start date of symptom onset or positive Covid-19 test;

• Negative test results for anyone individually receiving positive test results prior to returning for services (including for any family member in the same household as a client, volunteer or staff member).

Exposure includes:

• A directly affected individual (client, volunteer or staff member) who requires a Covid-19 test;

• Exposure to a family member exhibiting symptoms or being tested, who lives in the same household; and/or

• Exposure to a friend, family member or other individual who shows symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19, but does not live in the same household.

Due to the nature of our organization (animals requiring 24/7/365 care) and the size of our team, these instances will likely lead to cancellation of ALL programming at our facility for the duration of one to two weeks (or longer), especially in the event of a primary staff member being exposed.