by Sue McIntosh | Oct 1, 2026 | Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy, Equine Neuroscience
Reimagining the Story of Clever Hans ‘Clever Hans’ has typically served as a precautionary tale, warning against the dangers of anthropomorphism and of overestimating non-human animals’ cognitive abilities. But what if our limitations – rather than Hans’– have been...
by Sue McIntosh | Oct 1, 2026 | Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy, Equine Neuroscience
A few months ago my daughter asked me if dogs were smarter than horses. How would you answer this question? I think many people would say that dogs are in fact smarter than horses. And that primates are smarter than dogs. And, of course, that we humans are the...
by Sue McIntosh | May 28, 2026 | Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy, Getting Started in the Equine Therapy Field
This is a guest article written by Julie LaLonde, MSW, RSW who recently graduated her training program with us at Healing Hooves and certified as an EFW specialist with Pro-EFW. Thank you Julie for entrusting us with your training journey and for sharing your wisdom...
by Sue McIntosh | May 30, 2025 | Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy
I’m super excited to share this paper written by my daughter, Maren McIntosh BA (Hons). She has focused on the important topic of grief when we lose one of our animals – and the role stories can play in this process. Thank you Maren for being willing to...
by Sue McIntosh | Mar 25, 2024 | Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy, Getting Started in the Equine Therapy Field, Parenting
“Please just tell me what to do.” Isn’t this something we all ask at times? I hear it from Travis, a single Dad whose adopted daughter has just been diagnosed with ODD. And from Anna, who has recently completed her first training with Healing Hooves and is eager to...
by Sue McIntosh | Oct 25, 2021 | Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy, Getting Started in the Equine Therapy Field
Earlier this year I was asked to write an article about Finnegan, now a favourite in the Healing Hooves herd, when his Mom, Rills Kelpie bred by Penny Huggons, was awarded the 2020 Foundation Broodmare award by the Canadian Connemara Pony Society. I’m sharing that...
