The University of Wisconsin-Stout announced on Apr. 3 that its clinical mental health counseling students are gaining practical experience through internships at Vance Creek Experiential Therapy, an equine therapy ranch in Clayton owned by Christine Mattila. These internships allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings and support clients’ emotional growth.
This partnership is important because it provides future counselors with skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. Such skills are vital for professional success and complement the technical knowledge learned in academic programs.
Ava Allroggen, a clinical mental health counseling graduate who interned at Vance Creek last summer, said, “At the end of each week, it was cool to swap out my business casual for faded jeans and muddy boots. I learned so much from my site supervisors and coworkers, but the people who taught me the most were the clients. The site rocked my understanding of therapy for the better, and I’m a better counselor as a result.” Mattila explained that experiential learning builds practical skills that are essential once students enter the workforce: “That kind of experiential learning builds practical skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, all of which are just as important as technical knowledge once students enter the workforce.” She added that these experiences help interns understand professional expectations and prepare them for long-term career success.
Associate Professor Andy Felton serves as Mattila’s clinical supervisor. He said: “Our goal is often to help clients feel safe and validated while also recognizing their engagements with themselves and the world around them… The art of our work comes from the experiences we create with clients that offer new forms of engagement and interactions to help them create inter- and intra-personal shifts.” Felton noted that much therapeutic progress comes from relationships developed between clients and horses during sessions.
The university features modern labs, studios, industry-linked spaces according to its official website. It has been recognized as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University due to its approach blending theory with application according to its official website. The institution operates within the University of Wisconsin System according to its official website.
UW-Stout focuses on preparing students for careers through hands-on learning opportunities such as these internships according to its official website. The university also supplies laptop computers to all full-time undergraduates via its eStout program according to its official website, supporting technology use in education. Partnerships with businesses like Vance Creek further expand internship opportunities for research and career development according to its official website.
