Life Lessons from a Border Collie: E-Motion Needs to Move
Our border collie has strong instincts to chase horses – which gets her in to trouble and creates frustration. Finding insight based solutions to help Maggie express her emotions safely provides parallels and learnings to other contexts – including parenting and self expression.
Is ‘No Fear’ a Good Thing?
Alarm – or fear – is an emotion experienced by all mammals, including us. It is not an enemy or nuisance factor to be eliminated; it is there to keep us safe. By watching how animals respond when alarmed can we humans find our way back to a healthier response?
Can I talk to you … Are you Safe?
Through a number of case studies we explore what horses have to teach us about being safe to talk to and how to build this into our parenting and other relationships
Slowing Down
Through a case study example learn how and why a slower approach to Equine Therapy makes space for deeper levels of learning – about horses and ourselves.
Dancing With Skye
Working with a horse at liberty is a delicate and intricate dance. This article explores and applies lessons from this ‘dance’, including the importance of attachment, to human relationships including parenting.
Four Legged Therapists
'Sam' is small for his eight years. His parents described him as a good student, outgoing with lots of friends; that was, until he moved schools last year. Since then his grades have plummeted, no friends come round for supper anymore, and Sam...
The Who, What and Why of Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy
You do what? With who? Why? While awareness of Equine and Animals assisted therapies has increased exponentially since I started in these fields 20 years ago, these are still important questions. Join me to find some of the answers.
Ethics: Interests of the Four Legged Therapists
This is an old article (written in 2007) but the principals still apply. If you visit us you will discover Skye, Dubh and Disa are much older now (30, 31 and 22) but still wonderfully active members of the Healing Hooves Herd! One of the most memorable lessons from...
The Links Between Animal Abuse and Violence Towards People – Updated
This article exploring the links between animal abuse and human violence has been updated to link into updated literature reviews. Not an easy read, but an important one for anyone working with children or animals potentially at risk.
Why Horses: The Healing Power of Animals
The research is clear: being and interacting positively with animals is good for us humans – physically, emotionally, cognitively and socially. As a part of our series, Why Horses, this article provides a brief overview of some of this human animal bond research.
The Certification Conundrum – Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy
How do you find an equine or animal assisted therapy program that is physically and emotionally safe for all involved – two and four legged? In a largely unregulated field there are many different options and lots to think about – whether you are looking for a training or a treatment program. This article explores these questions including a case study and a list of key questions to ask potential service providers.
Getting Started in Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy: FAQs
Do you have questions about equine or animal assisted therapy? Wondering if it is the career for you? Not sure where to start, who to train with, or how to get certified? We have the answers to these and many other frequently asked questions within this series!