For equine or outdoor session - Clients are expected to dress appropriately for weather conditions to participate in outdoor equine assisted counseling sessions. However, there are times when weather conditions are such that it is not advisable or safe. The decision to cancel sessions considers the safety and wellbeing of the clients, horses/animals, and staff at all times. Though it is difficult to establish guidelines that apply appropriately in every circumstance based on varying weather conditions, the following guidelines have been developed to help implement consistency.

As it relates to temperature, we follow the guidelines for “Real Feel” or “Heat Index” weather conditions. For example, temperature + humidity for summer heat and temperature + wind chill for winter conditions.

Sessions may be cancelled or adjusted on a case by case/hourly basis at the discretion of LinnBerry Creative Counseling and its therapists when any of the following conditions are present at the time of your session:

• Real Feel temperature is less than 32 degrees or Heat Index is more than 92 degrees

• When there is a more than a 50% chance of severe weather (thunderstorms/tornado, warnings/watches)

• If lightening is 5 miles or less away (even if farm has no precipitation at that time)

• Steady winds over 18mph or forecasted gusts over 25mph

• We have a covered arena, so light rainfall should not hinder session. However, sessions may be canceled when there is heavy precipitation of more than 1” of rain, snow, or any chance of ice in a brief period of time, due to extreme muddiness.

We have a climate controlled counseling office in the barn as an alternative option. So, if any of these weather conditions are present, your therapist may offer the choice to adjust your equine session to indoor talk therapy or Telehealth instead of canceling.

If your equine session is canceled due to weather conditions, your therapists may offer the choice to adjust sessions to indoor talk therapy or Telehealth instead of canceling.

If you have special health conditions, including, but not limited to asthma, epilepsy, and diabetes, and need special accommodations on excessively hot or frigid days, please alert your therapist to your needs on each session’s appointment. LinnBerry Creative Counseling believes in the autonomy of client/parents of juvenile clients to make decisions to care for themselves and as needed.

Your therapist or a member of the administration staff will email, text, or call the number you have designated in your Simple Practice client portal, to inform you directly of session cancellations. You may also contact your therapist if you have any further questions or concerns.

You will NOT be charged for sessions canceled by LinnBerry or its affiliates.