Time Out therapy to offer appointments

LIME ROCK — Changes are coming to the Time Out Foundation, located at 408 Lime Rock Road in Lime Rock.

It will remain the same place of healing for both animals and people, but it will now be open, by appointment, to the public. Before now it was, as Time Out founder Dr. Corinne Kalser put it, “a closed unit” and accepted clients only by referral.

Kalser, her mostly volunteer staff and the horses, dog, cats, donkeys, ponies and goats who are the helpers in the process of healing, are excited to be able to offer equine therapy, as well as art, aroma, touch therapies, Reiki, psychotherapy and on the ground horsemanship which will teach children how to care for a horse.

In addition, Time Out will serve as a birthday party or wedding venue (no catering included) with idyllic pastures, barns, a pond, acres of trails and curious horses, donkeys and goats who like to mingle with people.

Another new addition will be nurse practitioner Lisa Haut, who completed a program in Equine Assisted Therapy and will be offering this service to children and families. She is taking appointments now.

Kalser bought the Time Out property in 2000. She was not planning to buy a house, but she went to look and felt at once it was a “special place.” Once she had purchased the property, Kalser began to work on her dream of making a healing place for animals and people.

Time Out officially opened in 2008. Former staff member Michele Austin, who had experience and training from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) was there to help Kalser. Michele noted that horses have no expectations of anyone. This makes them perfect for therapy work.

David McArthur, Kalser’s husband and a licensed clinical social worker, handles psychotherapy and one-on-one counseling. “Animals understand,” he said. “We all have the potential to do great things and that is what animals show us.”

Abigail Silvernail has been coming to Time Out since she was in elementary school to be with the animals and now teaches horsemanship there. “Abby has a true gift with animals,” Kalser said.

Carissa Conologue came to Time Out after calling to see if she could come and “sing to the horses.” Kalser was at first unsure about this idea, but then thought “what the heck,” she’d let Carissa try it. One horse Carissa sang to is Finnegan. He was, at times, unapproachable. Carissa began singing to him. She says “You Are My Sunshine” is a favorite. She did aromatherapy with Finnegan and he became a happier, calmer horse.

The stars of it all, the animals, were rescued from abuse or neglect and are happy at Time Out. There is Azula the dog who greets visitors and Pancho the donkey and his band of pony mares. There is Biggie, the huge draft horse; and his friend Bill, who is blind; Mojo, a beautiful chestnut thoroughbred; and others who graze peacefully around the property.

To make an appointment for one-on-one counseling, call David McArthur at 860-318-1144. For appointments for any of the other services or with any questions, call Corinne Kalser at 860-318-1848. For conditions covered, they take most insurances and Medicaid. Time Out has a Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/timeoutfoundationCT.