Moving Intentionally Towards Certification
An overview of the Healing Hooves training process from a participant’s perspective, written by Julie LaLonde MSW, RSW
Storytelling the Grievable Lives of Animal Companions
An exploration of how stories and storytelling can help, support and validate the process of grieving the loss of an animal companion, written by Maren McIntosh BA (Hons)
Please – Tell Me What to Do!
This article has been a long time coming! It explores why many of us are looking for a ‘how to manual’ in this field of practice, and why this is not always what we need!
Finnegan – preparing a horse for EFW takes time
What makes for a good EFW horse? What sort of training is required?
These are questions we explore at training workshops and this article provides an example of how a horse who initially did not seem suited to the work can – with time, support and choice – become a wonderful partner in this work.
(Horse) Play in a Pandemic
Who has the time or energy to play right now? Our animals do, and they can help us out! We revisit here the importance of play – especially in the midst of a worldwide pandemic when play may be being squeezed out
Horse Play – Part Two
This final article in our “Why Horses’ series continues the discussion on play, exploring two key benefits play can provide for our emotional health and well being, and three ways animals can help us find more true play in our lives and in the lives of those we care about.
Horse Play: part one!
As humans, and especially as adults, we may have lost sight of what ‘true’ play is and why it matters. Fortunately our animals remember. This two part article explores what we mean by true play, how it benefits us, and how our animals can help us find our way back to play.
One (Horse) Step Removed: The Gentle Power of Being Indirect
“Why won’t she share this with us?” “How can I get him to tell me what he’s feeling?” “I just don’t know what I’m feeling.” I hear these concerns regularly in my practice from parents, from spouses, from people seeking support for themselves. It seems to be a common...
Attachment Theory
This explanation and review of attachment theory explains a key aspect of the theory underpinning the approach followed at Healing Hooves. It is a good read for anyone interested in attachment theory, whether as a part of an equine therapy approach or elsewhere.
Why Horses: Relatable Role Models
Close enough to be relatable, yet distinct enough to show us a different option. Through a real life example, learn how horses can be powerful role models and teachers, inviting us to a place of emotional congruence and well being.
Horse Lessons: Animals and Psychoeducation
“All I need to know, I learned from my horse …” Explore how and why to draw on the human animal bond to create psychoeducation opportunities, both within an animal assisted therapy program and at home.
Why Horses: All We Have in Common – and Not
We share much in common with horses and other mammals – including many of our emotions. Read how these similarities – as well as the ways we differ – can be drawn upon to both enhance the effectiveness of counselling and wellness approaches, and to explain why so many of us find it healing to simply have animals in our life.