Time Out therapy to offer appointments

Dr. Corinne Kalser, founder of Time Out, with Biggie, a very large, but gentle draft horse who is part of the herd at Time Out. The horses, goats, donkeys, cats and a dog are all part of the therapy team.

Robin Roraback

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.

Latest News

Haystack Festival brings literary minds to Norfolk

The Great Room at Norfolk Library filled to capacity for the Haystack Festival.

Jennifer Almquist

Just after noon on Sunday, Oct. 6, attendees of Norfolk Foundation’s Haystack Festival spilled out of the red Shingle Style Norfolk Library into brilliant October sunshine, emerging from the final book talk of the weekend (excepting an event for young readers later in the day). The talk, which was a conversation between horse experts journalist Sarah Maslin Nir and author David Chaffetz, was rife with equine puns and startling facts. The tongue-in-cheek use of the word “cavalier” brought laughs from the engaged audience, while Nir disclosed that horses eat for a full 16 hours a day.

The talk brought levity and humor to the festival’s conclusion, while also diving into the serious history of the relationship between society and horses. Chaffetz explained horses were fundamental in the formation of large empires: “We don’t see empires until horses became fundamental to the political state.” Nir elaborated that the “wild” horses in North America are not native, but feral horses descended from animals brought by Spanish imperialists. “No tea grows in England,” she explained, “it is the result of empire – and so are horses.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Project SAGE's solemn vigil

"The Red Sand Project" is intended to draw attention to often overlooked domestic violence issues in the Northwest Corner.

Natalia Zukerman

To mark the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Project SAGE held its annual community vigil on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Community Field in Lakeville. Project SAGE is a community-focused organization dedicated to supporting, advocating, guiding and educating victims of relationship violence through a range of services and outreach programs.

A large group of people gathered quietly in the center of the field where they were handed packets of red sand. Red Sand Project, created by artist and activist Molly Gochman, is a participatory artwork that uses sidewalk interventions and earthwork installations to encourage people to reflect, connect, and take action against the vulnerabilities that contribute to human trafficking, modern slavery, and exploitation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Northwest Corner artists unite for Clay Way Tour Oct. 19-20

Pottery of all sorts will be on display at the Clay Way Tour, featuring 26 area artists.

Provided

Now in its 8th year, The Clay Way Studio Tour is an annually held event featuring some of Connecticut’s best potters. Twenty six artists will show their work among nine studios.

The Tour takes place in Litchfield County Connecticut and Wingdale, New York Oct.19 and 20 from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Potter and organizer Jane Herald explained the origin of the tour.

Keep ReadingShow less