In this first post in our FAQ series for people starting out in Equine Therapy we cover some key terminology and clarify what we mean by the terms ‘Equine Assisted Services’ and ‘Animal Assisted Interventions’.
As noted in our introduction, you will find a quick answer below for those of you who are super busy or prefer to skim, followed by a more in-depth answer for those of you looking for that. If you like this series and find the information helpful, please share it!
The Quick Answer
Equine and Animal Assisted Services/ Interventions can mean many things and be described with a multitude of other terms, all of which can make your initial explorations into this field a little overwhelming to say the least! Many people start off referring to this work using the older terms of ‘Equine Therapy’ or ‘Animal Assisted Therapy’ which is one of the reasons we still use these on occasion at Healing Hooves. These terms do lack clarity though, and can refer to many different ways of working with animals and people, which is one of the reasons for this article!
In some cases, Equine Therapy refers to therapy provided to a horse, such as equine massage. In other cases, it refers to physical or recreational therapy provided to a person with special needs, usually through riding a horse.
Equine Therapy can also refer to incorporating interactions with horses into approaches to help humans heal, learn and grow emotionally, developmentally and relationally. It is this latter definition of Equine Therapy we explore here and both practice and teach at Healing Hooves. The term we use, and feel more accurately describes this aspect of the Equine Therapy field, is Equine Facilitated Wellness. This is also the term adopted by our professional body, Pro EFW. In the UK and US an equivalent term would be Equine Assisted Services.
To now broaden the field, Equine Therapy is a form of Animal Assisted Therapy or, more correctly, Animal Assisted Interventions, which is an even larger field comprising different forms of interventions, therapies, education approaches and activities with different species of animals including, but not limited to, equines. We make some key distinctions and provide some definitions below.
A recent (2024) document for current terminology (in the US, not necessarily adopted in Canada) can be found here
One of the challenges arising out of the great flexibility and explosion of programs and resources in this field is the wide variety of terms, and associated acronyms, that have been created. Love them or hate them, we need to use them, so I will define some of the key ones within the longer answer below. This is an ever moving target, as various groups of professionals get together around the world to agree on common terms. My goal is to keep things as updated on this blog as possible, without confusing you too much. If you are confused, and have questions, please ask!
I will also aim to identify some of the leading professional bodies, and their acronyms.
The Longer Answer
Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW): This is an umbrella term, used mainly in Canada, to describe approaches to human emotional, cognitive and relational wellness, healing, learning and growth that incorporate interactions and relationships with horses into the approach. In the US and the UK the equivalent term to this would be ‘Equine Assisted Services (EAS)‘. The term ‘facilitated’ can imply that the equine is seen as a facilitator which is not actually the fact. This is where the term “Assisted’ may eventually replace the facilitated term although this has not yet happened in Canada.
Equine Therapy: An even broader term that incorporates EFW but can also be used to refer to many other services including therapeutic riding and to therapy for the horse, such as equine massage. This term in no longer recommended for use in most EAS/ EFW contexts although it is often a ‘go to’ term that people first use when exploring this field.
Equine Facilitated Mental Health (EFMH): EFW that is facilitated by a certified mental health professional, often with clients with mental health diagnoses and areas of need, following a treatment plan and specific therapeutic goals. Examples could be incorporating horses into a treatment plan for someone struggling with depression, or group programs with horses for survivors of sexual assault or for people struggling with addictions. In each of these cases the facilitator/s should also have experience and training with the specific client population being served, with equines and in EFW. As the term ‘facilitated’ becomes less popular this term may become less used.
Equine Facilitated Counselling (EFC): A subset of EFMH, facilitated by a certified counsellor with counselling goals incorporated into the client work. Diagnoses and mental health needs are likely to be less complex. An example could be marriage counselling, supporting a child and his/ her parents through separation anxiety, or a school group for at risk kids with horses built into the treatment plans. Again, the facilitator/s should also have experience and training with the specific client population being served, with equines and in EFW.
‘Counsellor’ and ‘counselling’ are now regulated terms in Alberta, as they are in a number of other Canadian provinces, requiring all who describe themselves as a counsellor to be certified, meet minimum education and training requirements, and hold membership in a recognised regulatory professional body.
Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP)/ Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP): Variations of the above themes which are more popular in the US. The term psychotherapy implies that the service is delivered by a credentialed mental health professional (a psychotherapist) but psychotherapist is not yet a regulated term in all Canadian provinces, so this may not always be the case. As of December 2018, ‘psychotherapist’ became a regulated term in Alberta – more info here.
Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL): EFW that is facilitated within a non mental health context with clients who do not have mental health diagnoses, trauma or high risk factors. Facilitators may be educators, life coaches or corporate coaches, and clients could be working on goals within areas such as life skills, literacy, team building or personal growth. Examples could be a school group (with less complex and non high risk kids) building skills in the areas of understanding body language, boundaries and social skills, a self awareness or personal empowerment group for women, or a corporate team building workshop, all built upon and incorporating experiential activities with horses.
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL): This is essentially the same as EFL, and is a term popular in the US. The US organisation PATH defines EAL as: “an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional and personal goals through equine-assisted activities”.
Therapeutic Riding (TR) or Hippotherapy: Physical rehabilitation, recreation and physical therapy through horseback riding. Clients usually have physical or developmental disabilities. Therapeutic riding (TR) and Hippotherapy do require different qualifications: TR is facilitated by a certified TR instructor, while Hippotherapy must be facilitated by a physiotherapist, or with a TR instructor who is directly facilitating the physiotherapist’s therapy plan and is working under their direct supervision.
‘Equine Facilitated Wellness’ and ‘Equine Assisted Services’ both refer to work with horses, donkeys and mules
Animal Assisted Intervention, Therapy, Education or Activities?
“Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are goal-oriented and structured interventions that intentionally incorporate animals in health, education, and human service for the purpose of therapeutic gains and improved health and wellness. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), animal-assisted education (AAE), and animal-assisted activities (AAA) are all forms of animal-assisted interventions. In all these interventions, the animal may be part of a volunteer therapy animal team working under the direction of a professional or an animal that belongs to the professional.
Animal-assisted therapy is a goal-oriented, planned, structured, and documented therapeutic intervention directed by health and human service providers as part of their profession. A wide variety of disciplines may incorporate AAT. Possible practitioners could include physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, certified therapeutic recreation specialists, nurses, social workers, speech therapists, or mental health professionals.
Animal-assisted education is a goal-oriented, planned, and structured intervention directed by a general education or special education professional. The focus of the activities is on academic goals, prosocial skills, and cognitive functioning with student progress being both measured and documented.
Animal-assisted activities provide opportunities for motivational, educational, and/or recreational benefits to enhance quality of life. While more informal in nature, these activities are delivered by a specially trained professional, paraprofessional, and/or volunteer, in partnership with an animal that meets specific criteria for suitability.
*The terms AAI, AAT, AAE, and AAA are the preferred industry terms. The term ‘pet therapy’ should be avoided because it is inaccurate and misleading. The term was widely used several decades ago to refer to animal training programs. By contrast, the currently preferred terms imply that the animal is acting as a motivating force to enhance the treatment provided by a well-trained person.”
(From Pet Partners Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy)
Some Key Organisations and Links
The Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness Canada (Pro-EFW): Canadian certifying body for all aspects of EFW. Healing Hooves staff are all certified with Pro-EFW and our training workshops meet the training requirements of this leading national organisation.
The AAT Chapter of the CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association): This chapter of the CCPA is currently doing much work to update the scope of practice and minimum standards of practice requirements for CCPA members who wish to practice AAT. In this initiative they are coordinating with Pro-EFW in the development of some of their materials. CCPA are currently the only national (Canadian)mental health regulatory body to have a chapter focused upon AAT.
One organisation the AAT chapter of the CCPA are working closely with is The American Counselling Association (ACA), who have developed Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling Competencies which have already been referred to by the courts (in the US) as providing an example of AAT best practices.
Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA): Canadian certifying body for therapeutic riding instructors and programs.
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH): US certifying body in therapeutic riding and EFW.
Certification Board for Equine Interaction Professionals (CBEIP): A US based certification body that certifies EFW professionals through an exam based process.
Pet Partners: US based organisation providing resources and training in AAT and AAA: https://petpartners.org/
International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy: US based organisation focusing on play therapy incorporating animals: http://risevanfleet.com/international/
International Association for Human Animal Interaction Organisation has recently (2018) developed updated definitions which are generally accepted by those practicing and teaching in the AAI field. You can access their full white paper through this link.
The Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI) is an international organisation with the mission ” to facilitate the worldwide collaboration between organizations and individuals whose objectives are philanthropic, scientific and educational in the field of Equine-Assisted Services.”
Equine Assisted Services Partnership (EASP) in the UK manages the Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) which was initially managed by HETI. From their website : “In recognition of the need for minimum standards in the field of Equine Assisted Services, the Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) was deemed necessary to support and protect both human and equine participants across education, therapy, and other therapeutic activities. The Partnership has been formed to support those delivering services and offering training across the sector in order that beneficiaries, commissioners and funders can trust that human and equine welfare is at the heart of each organisation’s practice.” Healing Hooves is listed on the HEIR register.
Another key organisation, particularly if you work/ plan to work with dogs, is Animal-Assisted Intervention International (AAII) who published minimum standards of practice in Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) which were revised and updated in 2019. (You can access the AAII standards from this link. ) Recent research has indicated that while there is much agreement among professionals that there is need for standards in the AAI field, a majority of those currently practicing AAI are not following the existing standards. For example, a study published in 2020 surveying 239 AAI professionals worldwide reported that, “A substantial proportion delivered specific types of AAI that were beyond their scope of professional practice. A large proportion of respondent practitioners reported that they do not document or measure their clients’ progress as recommended by the professional standards.” You can access this study through this link.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Next Question in the series: Do I need to be a Counsellor to do this work?
What about you? If you have any questions you’d like us to answer in this series, or questions on any of the above material, please use the comments section below!
Remembering the different acronyms, and their variations in vision, could require returning to the vlog and website frequently for quite some time.
I agree! There is certainly a lot to remember! Hopefully this post helps and also over time some of them will become more intuitive as you use them more.
There are so many choices or different avenues a person can either help or go for help in. It is wonderful that so much opportunity is out there to get help. I do agree I will need to go back and reference the differences and names, great to have all the info in one place.
I have always been so I intrigued by AAT, specifically with canine partners. It was not until after I began my journey that I began to realize the vast number of species that can be a part of AAT. It will be interesting to learn more about how the approach differs based on the species.
Yes! There are definitely some aspects that will be the same or similar regardless of what species you work with, but lots of species specific aspects too – and important to have training and experience with the specific species- and I would also say the individual animal/s – you are working with!
Agreed!
Thank you for creating this blog that explains so all the various terms and the acronyms associated with the. It is good to know that the CCPA has a chapter focused upon AAT.
I wonder if it is difficult for clients to differentiate the different forms of this work and the professionals who are trained in it? I think that as this field grows, that there will have to be more education of the general public in terms of the different types of this work and the different certifications. I know that in my field, psychology, we have had this issue for many years, too, as someone can call themselves a “therapist” or some generic term and, often, clients do not know the difference between this terminology and a professional who is a Registered Psychologist (or Social Worker/Certified Counsellor).
This is certainly a current and important issue Diane! We aim to address this through the Scope of Practice process which is where we guide candidates in defining what it is they do (and don’t do ) in the field, and then communicating it to clients. But this only applies to people who are trained by EFW Canada approved programs.
This is great information! We have to educate others that within EFL, EFW, or being an Equine Wellness Coach, we are using the horse to help people; whereas others sometimes think that “horse therapy” is wellness for the horse.
Yes this exactly! I had this experience just the other day as person I was talking to thought I was talking about therapy for a horse. There is a definite need to help educate others about this.
Are there any programs similar to PATH in Canada or closer to our area (AB)?
CanTRA is the closest equivalent to PATH in Canada. Info on CanTRA and links to their website and programs are included in your distance ed. manual under the certification section.
This was helpful in helping try to get a clearer picture of where I want to end up and what my scope of practice is. Which is something that is still confusing as to what I’m “allowed” to do.
Revisiting this brings me clarity. EAP is definitely most used in the states as I have done abundant research in this area. I feel that EFMH, as described here, is a healthier and closer to the truth of what’s happening.
I remember trying to define to others what the difference is between a group home and a therapeutic group home. A group home may simply be a home environment providing for basic needs; food, shelter, a bed and assistance with daily living tasks depending on the needs of the residents. The therapeutic group home facilitates a tailored case plan, usually involving a team of professionals and natural support people to address whatever the presenting problems are disrupting others and the individual’s ability to thrive, be it neglect, abuse, addiction, or mental health problems. Then there is everything else that happens that can’t be quantified and qualified – the times when a young person behaves the way they always behave but the adult behaves in a different way and something is set right. The times when the resident observes kindness and concern between two staff members and responds the same way toward another resident instead of using indifference. Whether a group home or a therapeutic group home, it is responding to whatever the day brings within trusting relationships that heals…we don’t always get to know exactly what it is that makes the difference; being with horses is like that…not sure what it is but just feel better.
I appreciate how you concisely explained the various definitions and roles that fall under Equine Therapy. Akin to Diane’s comment, it can be very daunting for members of the general public to understand the nuanced differences between, not only provider credentials, but the type of service they provide in the Equine Therapy field. I agree that we need to ensure continued adherence to our scope of practice and ensure that we educate and inform our clients, and the public in general, of these distinctions, so that they can make informed decisions regarding the services they are seeking.
Great comment Charlene! I agree with all that you say and believe this is one of the most critical areas of challenge facing our profession right now.
First of all, I want to extend my appreciation to Healing Hooves for providing this type of clarification and providing clear and concise definitions of the various aspects of Equine Therapy. I have to be honest that while I have a fairly good idea of what I want my scope of practice to be once I have certified in Equine Therapy field, I have found it a bit overwhelming to understand how my current certification, Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellor, will contribute to my learning and certification goals. Though reading this article I am starting to get a clearer picture of what that will look like. I also agree with Diane the importance of defining the credentials to clients and that this is a major struggle in this field as a whole.
I am glad that you found this helpful Kerie! I think you will find that many of your questions will be answered through the Scope of Practice process. We introduce this at the exploration training and then really focus upon and apply it at the second week of Focus training. If you’d like some of this info ahead of time let me know and I am happy to send it to you!
Sue
This article was helpful in the direction of exploring/planning my scope of practice and planning additional education/training which in turn would determine the parameters and boundaries within my own individual practice. I look forward to the scope of practice process.
Frank
thanks for having all of the acronyms in one place!
I think it would be simplest to define a future practice as being EFW, since the focus can shift over the years of a personal journey.
Thank you for the detailed overview of terminology. Your blogs actually were the most detailed and straightforward source of info I found when initially looking into EFW. At healing hooves do you work in both areas of equine facilitated mental health and equine facilitated counselling? Also, for someone that is not qualified to do EFMH or EFC, what are the odds they could do EFL? For instance, I am working towards my CCC designation and will in time have the education necessary to complete EFC work. If I were to finish certification in EFW before the completion of my masters, would it be possible to register for the EFL designation (as I am not a teacher/life coach etc)?
Yes – you could certify in the EFL stream and then add MH once you have your MA and CCC. The EFL scope of practice can be developed on a portfolio/ work experience basis – you don’t need any one specific designation
As my question relates to the question posed by Tara, can I provide EFL if I am pursuing certification as MH? Or does this require certification in both? I apologize as I may be repeating a question that is answered on the website or in the comments, I am just trying to wrap my head around it all!
This will depend on how you define your scope of practice in either area. I often recommend dual certification if you meet the pre requisites – it does not require any more EFW training, but you do need to show that you meet the pre requisites in each area. This then allows you more flexibility in how you define your scope of practice. Don’t worry – you will get lots more guidance and support in this as you work through the training process!
It is extremely helpful to have all of this information in one place, especially at the beginning stages of my journey in learning about EFW. It can be a little overwhelming and I am still not sure where my skills and training will fit with all the information provided. I look forward to exploring this as I continue to learn more. Thank you.
Thank you for this post, it is definitely very helpful in understanding all the differences between all the terms. I also was confused with the national differences between USA and Canada terms, and now everything make more sense. I will have to refer to that post again in the future to describe other people the differences.
Thank you for the great overview of acronyms and terms Sue. This is very helpful and I like the fact that I can re visit this post when needed.
Thank you for providing all of these acronyms in one place! The differences are clearly outlined however I could imagine many of these are interconnected in practice too.
I appreciate the detailed explanations, this helps sort through all of the acronyms. As well as explain all of the different options that one could pursue in EFW. Thank you!
Hi Sue, thanks for the clarity of terms and differentiating the paths one can take based on their background and credentials. I am not a counselor and so it is important to be clear on what is possible and how I contribute in this field!
This post definitely helped clarify the various forms of equine therapy.
I am curious if someone was interested in offering clients both EFW and TR would they have to do separate trainings and join both certifying bodies EFW-Canada and CanTRA?
Good question Justine! If you plan to offer all of your EFW work within a TR setting and program then the CanTRA EFW program may be the best option for you in terms of certification. There is some information on that program in the distance ed. manual and you can also visit their website to find out more. There are certain restrictions in terms of numbers of clients and horses you can work with plus there needs to be a team of a CanTRA instructor and a mental health professional or educator present at all times. The EFW Can approach is broader and more flexible if you plan to work outside of a TR environment.
For the TR work I would definitely recommend the CanTRA program.
I hope this helps!
excellent information here
I’m curious, have any of you heard of the Animal Behavior Institute in the U.S.? They have an online course for certification in AAT. Does anyone have any thoughts or feedback on this school and their program?
Good question Alida! I have heard good things about this organisation but do not know anyone who has completed their AAT certification course. I did mine with DePaul University and PAN International and that was a great program but it was 20 years ago now and I don’t think it is still offered. This would be a good question to post in the Facebook group if you would like to, as there may be someone else who has looked in to, or even completed, ABI certification program.
It is absolutely wonderful how many different options there are for people wanting to work with horses and clients. Unfortunately, the many different titles do enhance confusion but I believe Equine Facilitated Wellness has been gaining recognition and therefore the clarification will hopefully follow suit.
I appreciate the explanations provided in the ‘longer answer’ and echo comments from others on how the various terminology uses can be confusing for individuals seeking support. Informed consent is so important and hopefully greater clarity for the general public will grow with time to ensure that folks know what service they are receiving in comparison to what is available.
I really appreciate an outline of the acronyms and am looking forward to learning about the intricacies of each and the challenges both facilitators and clients face in the abundance of information choosing what is right for them and how they wish to be supported.
I find when I tell people I am interested in equine therapy they immediately jump to conclusions of what this means (ie horse massage, therapeutic riding).
This is great info and although a long path ahead I hope to become a certified as a equine professional and mental health professional. This was an area that really became clear in the beginning coursework of how both were needed to keep the animal and client’s best interest at heart, thanks for the info!
Once again, Thank you Sue for summarizing and clarifying these terms. I also find your short answer to what Equine Facilitated Wellness approaches hope to accomplish helpful. Very succinct yet encompasing.
It’s great to know that there are programs or fields that can be explored if a person still wants to work with horses and people but are not necessarily interested in counseling or mental health. On the other side, I appreciate the ‘explosion of the field because I can see the benefits of this work! I can also appreciate that horses can be partners with any population or group of people who may experience a variety of challenges and barriers (disability, mental health, gender and identity, PTSD, etc)
This is a very helpful article in directing me as to where I may fit in with, what I believe to be, a powerful healing and growing privilege for humans and horses alike.
A very helpful article, I’ve printed it off to have handy.
As Winston S. Churchill said~ “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” I’ll add to that and say good for people <3
I enjoyed the clarification provided in the article, and I have to say I absolutely love the Churchill quote shared by Jennifer.
I appreciated the clarification in this article.
This article is a great resource. It is clear to me that the field of equine therapy is broad and there are many ways that horses can be included as a partner in wellness.
There are so many different acronyms and names that it can be very confusing, I love having this as a resource to differentiate between them all! To me, anything with the word therapy or counselling should be run by someone who is a registered therapist/ counselor. I run an EAL program and I always correct people when they call it therapy- I’m not a therapist (currently) and I don’t ever want to give them false expectations or ideas. Although, reading your post “equine therapy” seems to be an umbrella term in your perspective. Could you perhaps speak to that or what you think about my idea of the word therapy?
I’m also glad that certification and governing bodies are developing more; the “backyard” programs always make me cringe. (ex. when someone claims they provide “therapeutic riding” but ultimately they are just allowing people to ride and promoting the therapeutic benefits or, again, if someone offers “equine therapy” but is not a therapist). I think this takes away from reputable programs.
One thing I would add to your list is that Hippotherapy can also include speech therapy. A speech therapist in Medicine Hat offers this and it is a wonderful program (my kids LOVED it).
Thank you!
Great observations and questions Kenzie! I personally don’t like the term “Equine Therapy” and have only been using it recently because that is the well known term out there that people search for online. I much prefer the umbrella term “Equine Facilitated Wellness”
I like the distinction the Pet Partners make between AAT, AAE and AAA and feel it addresses the ‘therapy’ question quite well: https://petpartners.org/learn/terminology/ They have an umbrella term now called AAI: Animal Assisted Interventions
This article is very informative and a great resource! I will refer to it in the weeks to come as I start my training!
It will take me some time to get all of the terms straight, but I since starting the distance ed part I have already started to refer to it as equine facilitated wellness instead of equine therapy! Most people don’t have a clue what I am talking about, but it makes much more sense to me to call it EFW instead of therapy.
Lots of terminology here but I’m excited to begin incorporating these terms and becoming proficient in using them. Currently a teacher in Canada’s Arctic, I’m particularly excited to begin EFL with students and colleagues when the time comes. I’ll keep this page tabbed as I’m almost certain I’ll refer to it often for term definitions and clarification.
Thanks for putting both the short and long answers in here, Sue. I can say that I used to think of Equine Therapy as hands on help for our horse friends! I like Kirsten’s comment above, about starting to refer to it as Equine Facilitated Wellness… it’s true that people may not have a clue about it – but what a great opportunity it will be to start educating people – and perhaps the more we use the correct terminology, the more we will get used to it, and the more others will understand it as well.
Such a good way to learn the main differences between all of these entities and understand them all more! So excited to dive more into this.
I love the breakdown of everything. Very informative, thank you!
I definitely agree that there are lots of terms and that this can cause confusion. Even when trying to look into other programs that provide Equine Facilitated Wellness, I found it challenging and frustrating that a search for what I thought was clear would bring up all sorts of different programs. I can only imagine being a client, looking for any of these types of services, would be frustrating! It is very helpful to have a clearly defined list of what terms are being used and hopefully as the field continues to develop there is more streamlining in terms of terminology!
Thank you for clarifying all of the different terms. The list is helpful when I see them used in other sources.
I like the term EFW – Equine Facilitated Wellness – to describe what I understand to be the focus of our upcoming training. I feel that it encompasses the emotional, psychological, developmental aspects of the work, but it also provides a physical and spatial awareness/wellness component by working with horses, and being out in nature, and having physical movement.
This has been a comprehensive delineation of terms relating to the field! It has brought both clarity and some further questions! I am wondering, as a Registered Psychologist who endeavors towards dual certification as a Mental Health (MH) provider and Equine Professional (EP), would EFMH be the appropriate term that would apply to me as opposed to EFC? Furthermore, I am curious about any information available regarding programs for certification in animal assisted therapy? I am hoping to begin the process of researching more about selecting and training an appropriate dog (and myself!) to support clients in my psychological work. Many thanks!
Hi Kim – yes, EFMH sounds like it would be a good term for you to use. In terms of AAT certification, Dreamcatcher near Edmonton could be a good option for you.
This is a fantastic resource! I was helping write the policy for animals at the agency I work for and ran into many obstacles when it came to language and terms (e.g., Animal assisted therapy vs. animal assisted activites and the attached responsibilies and liabilities). As a Registered Psychologist, this is an all-too familiar obstacle. In this industry, there are a number of different professionals with various designations completing similar work. As such, there tends to be an overwhelming amount of jargon all speaking to the same or similar thing–e.g., “clinician”; “therapist”; “counsellor”, etc. The confusion of all the slang is only one piece of the puzzle. With so many different terms, it makes it difficult to define scope of practice, roles and responsibilities. Thus, I really appreciate the above information being outlined in an easy-read manner. It also helps promote understanding for me on distinguishing what it is that I seek in this journey (EFMH)–similar to Kim Thomas’s point above.
This is sooo helpfull and concise. This information is good for me and will be helpfull in the futur when question will arise from client.
This is a very helpful delineation of the various terms/professional bodies associated with “animals” and “therapy” and something I will print to keep as a resource. Thank you for the clarity that this blog post provides. It seems EFMH is the one that applies to my qualifications. Thank you Sue for the resource regarding Dreamcatcher for AAT. I have a number of animals who are currently unofficial helpers and I would like to find a way to incorporate them in a more professional capacity to support my clients.
Great overview, thank you.
Very informative article. I will need to go back to it often.
There are so many organizations that offer services/certifications related to animals! Thank you for providing a great reference sheet to access more information.
This is really helpful in navigating this far reaching field of work! I wasn’t sure where my training and experience could land me but I can see that EFL could be attainable and I now feel better about having a clearer goal to work towards. Thank you for providing these guidelines so clearly.
That’s great Lori, I’m glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this comprehenisve list of organizations, titles and acronyms, very helpful! Reminds me of the task at hand when starting work within my organization lol rampant with acronyms.
you are welcome Aprille – yes acronyms I think are an unfortunate necessity in most fields!
Very helpful to become familiar with these terms.
Thanks for clarifying all the terms. It’s also helpful to have all the organizations clearly listed.
Thanks for the clarification of terms and the many different streams of work that can be done. I will be printing this article off to refer to it in the future.
This was incredibly helpful to have the information in one place. As I am still early in my journey of discovering EFW and the direction I would like to see for both myself and the organization I work for, having this broken down in one place provides much clarity for me. I was frantically taking notes to refer back to! Thanks for providing this resource and clarity Sue!
So many acronyms! Great one stop shop for it all as we go through the certification process!
This article was of great benefit for me! I have had an AHA moment. I finally feel more sure of what it is I can and cannot do in this field. I have been able to write down my own learning plan and what the services I want to do safely and effectively.
Thank you Sue, I am feeling excited!
That is wonderful to hear Meghan!
I had no idea that there were so many variations and acronyms for this work. It must be quite hard to regulate but also very difficult for clients to differentiate and assure that they are getting the type of service by the correctly certified provider when they are looking for options. I will have to definitely take some time to memorize what all of the different acronyms represent.
That is a great point about it being confusing for the clients to try to make sure they are getting the appropriate service provider for their needs!
Wow, there are so many types of work in this field. I really appreciate your clarification between AAA and AAT, I did not realize that these are different.
you are welcome Jacqueline – it can be really confusing at first with all these terms!
Super helpful to have the acronyms and information all laid out in one place so we can easily differentiate and speak clearly in the work we are doing ourselves. Thank you Sue!
you are welcome Jenny, I’m glad you found it helpful!
As the others have said, thanks for the clarification on the roles and information of the associations. It definitely helps deciding on my scope of practice.
Thanks for this page Sue. The field sure has expanded, and the explanations make sense 🙂
you are welcome Judy – yes, lots happening in this filed right now, which is wonderful!
Thank you Sue for spelling out and defining these acronyms! This has answered my question from the last read:) Sorry!
I should mention that the TR ( Therapeutic Riding) and Hippotherapy are stated above as being under the same umbrella, however, it is important to note that they are not the same and require different qualifications under CanTra guidelines. TR is facilitated by a certified instructor, and Hippotherapy must be facilitated by a Physiotherapist, or with an instructor who is directly facilitating the physios therapy plan and is under their direct supervision.
you are welcome Jennifer, and thank you for the TR/ Hippotherapy clarification!
This is great. I am very early in my learning journey, but I am trying to understand what I would be able to do through EFL, as I am a teacher and equestrian, but not a counsellor. I also wonder if there are opportunities for me to do professional development as a counsellor through my teaching degree. These definitions help to give some clarity. I have some further research to do 😀
This is certainly something we can help you explore further through the scope of practice process!
Thank you. This was really helpful! As some have already said I will most likely be referring back to this to recall what all the acronyms stand for.
Helpful insight. Scope of practice will hopefully clarify for me as well where I “fit” in this process and the options available to me to be part of this journey.
Hi Sara – yes, the scope of practice process is really helpful!
This article really has helped me with understanding all the areas of ‘equine therapy’ and the difference between them. It will help me narrow my own scope, and determine the next course of education I need.
Any suggestions for a masters in counselling as a mature student?
It’s been 20 years now but I did the Gonzaga program (they have cohorts in Alberta) and found it worked very well as a mature student. Lots of flexibility to fit around other work and life commitments, very experiential/ applied in nature, and mainly mature students attending
Great information
It was definitely helpful to break up the different terms. I have found it hard to really define equine assisted therapy and this really did help!
I appreciated this article. I was a good refresher. It also reminded me just what a wide range of people this can include.
So many different scopes of practice and opportunities!
Sue at some point, I would like to have a private conversation with you about a couple of these definitions. What I did throughout my working career does not fit neatly into one of these categories. I would like greater clarification from you.
Hi Patty – we can for sure discuss this. Once we get to the sections of the course on Pro-EFW requirements and scope of practice I think you will discover that your credentials and experience have actually prepared you well for this work – probably within the LP stream but we can for sure explore this more once we get there! The beauty of the scope of practice process is that we help you develop your personal scope of practice which reflects your own unique experience and credentials to support your own unique scope and approach in the field. The definitions are useful in terms of understanding some of the parameters and how broad the field is, but please don’t feel that you need to neatly fit into any one box – people rarely do!
This is an article I can see myself referring to repeatedly in determining my scope of practice. Although my heart is set on EFW, if the logistics of working with horses doesn’t fall into place (because I don’t own a horse myself or won’t be able to gather the financial resources required for having a horse in the city), I would look to AAT. We presently have a 7-month-old dog who is going through her ‘manners’ training. She is very sweet and I am keeping her in mind only if she is agreeable to it.
I love that you are already considering her opinion and preference in this Lori!
Ah yes, acronyms…still trying to figure out my place in all this…I guess I will find out in the next session 🙂
I think the key point here that I take away, is that it is KEY to define what our scope of practice is clearly and concisely. To not “over-qualify” ourselves, or to have expectations higher than that we are able to deliver. It holds us accountable if we are able to clearly define that which we are offering and allows for a better relationship between ourselves, animals and clients.
I totally agree Kelly – we explore scope of practice in every training and it’s a key part of the Pro-EFW process. It’s something I find students can find challenging to work through at first but which, in time, becomes something they find very helpful. Great that you are appreciating this so well right from the start!
This is a helpful article. At times I worry that individuals think they are accessing mental health therapy through a program, when in reality it is an EAL experience (which can certainly have its benefits). Further, I think stressing the need for certification/training is so important.
Very good article with clear definitions of terms and organizations. I am happy to see that there is certification, training and more regulation of the various types of Equine and Animal assisted therapy.
Excellent article! I didn’t know there were so many terms in this field, it’s great to know and to have clarity on all terminology, and to know what is Canadian and what is American. With it being a growing field, training and certification are super important, glad to know work is being done to outline minimum requirements.
Hey Sue,
Once again, great article. Very well laid out and easy to understand. However, I am starting to feel acronym overload (lol). I was not aware there was a branch of the CCPA ( which I am part of) that specializes in AAT. That is great news! I did notice a couple of months back an email I got from CCPA about EFW ( in fact, it may have been promoting Healing Hooves). It is great to see this field continue to grow through accreditation, governing bodies and so on.
Excited to be part of this journey!
It would be great to have you join the AAT chapter of the CCPA – I think you’d have lots to contribute!
I have to echo the thanks of the other posters. When I started thinking about how I could grow as a social worker and what direction I wanted to explore I found the information so daunting and there is certainly a learning curve with language and approaches. When I stumbled upon your blog Sue I found your explanations so helpful, and to be honest, they made the idea of starting this journey a little less intimidating! I also really like the idea that through the training and mentorship that there is support to help guide us on this path.
With Pro- EFW is there a continuing competencies requirement? For example with my Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSWSSW) registration there is an expectation for continued learning, is there a similar requirement?
Thank you!
Brittan
Yes – Pro EFW do have a continuing ed requirement once you are certified. I think it’s 30 hours every three years
Yes, when I say ‘Equine Therapy’, most people think of massage and physiotherapy/chiropractic work on horses. I have read this blog post long before I started my certification for clarification. Thank you!
I have been asking these questions since I first looked into EFW and this article helped to answer those questions. I always get people asking what I am going to be doing and I found it was hard to answer them. Now I will have a better idea. It’s also awesome how EFW is working with CCPA!
yes – if you are a CCPA member I encourage you to join the AAT chapter!
Great article!
I am planning on taking my Masters of Counselling and Psychology – and I guess I am wondering if the fields and areas of Equine Facilitated Counselling and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy are considered to be one in the same? I noticed that the term ‘counselling’ was recognized in Canada whereas ‘psychotherapy’ was recognized in the States. So what would that mean for my practice if I entered into Equine Facilitated Counselling/Therapy/Psychotherapy with a PRO-EFW try-certification (what I am going for) and a Masters in Counselling Psychology? Curious about your opinion on that!
In Canada many of us use the EFW term to encompass both Equine Facilitated Counselling and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and also the EFL (equine facilitated learning) side of the work. With a masters in counselling psychology you would be looking at certification with Pro-EFW in the mental health stream and then could describe it with whichever term (EFC, EFP, EFMH) best fit your personal scope of practice and complied with the use of any regulated terms in your province.
Very Helpful to put into perspective the scope in which I am currently practising and where I would like to advance to! Thanks for the clear distinctions!
Through my research prior to choosing the path to certify through PRO-EFW I have done extensive research on all of the ways in which we can work with/partner with equines to support humans, and also through working to support the equine themselves (like bodywork for equine partners). Even after this research, I have still found this blog post very helpful in differentiating all of the different acronyms and ways of being and working with animals AND equine – and I think it will be very helpful for clients and referring professionals like physicians, schools, to reference when aiming to distinguish the interventions and support they are looking for.
I’m glad you found something helpful in there Stefanie!
Wow, reading this article really highlights to me just how far behind the UK is with regards to incorporating animals into various forms of therapy. The terms used in particular n the UK are generally from much more of an umbrella terminology such as Animal Assisted Therapy which is used to cover a multitude of activities. Indeed many people are still unaware of these forms of therapy outside animals visiting care homes and schools.
This has really consolidated my belief that doing training courses through healing hooves in order to become a practitioner is the best and most advanced way to go.
I’m from the UK Ella so would love to help support things over there if it ever worked out for that to happen!
Very informative! thank you.
Very helpful to have the long answer, as they are seemingly similar otherwise. Very cool there are such a wide variety of options for clients to find their most suited healing process.
I agree Megan – this is one of the many wonderful things about this field being so broad and varied – definitely no need for us to try to make it a ‘one size fits all’ approach
Thank you for housing all of the acronyms in one place! This allows for direct comparison in what is otherwise a a very broad field filled with many different approaches.
Thanks for the helpful article. I had to do a lot of research to decide where to invest in training. I wish that EFW certification also included work with other animals such a dogs instead of haveing to go through so many different organizations.
I appreciate that this article highlighted the various terminology used in this industry. If we want to have more regulations and consistency in this field of work, it helps to have these standard definitions/explanations. For instance, avoiding the term “pet therapy”. While animals can be considered “therapeutic”, the work involving AAT is intentional and practiced by mental health professionals.
Thank you for the explanation of all the different terms and acronyms. It can feel a little overwhelming at times! I’m excited to see that the field is becoming more regulated and more centralized. It appears that the many people who have been engaged in Animal Assisted Interventions over the past 20 years have been working hard to create a more standardized system and agreed-upon terminology. It helps so much with communication to have a shared understanding of the field of AAI and for the public to be able to trust that a person who is “certified” has a specific level of experience and training.
wowza, there are so many to remember. Definitely helpful to have them all available to refer back to and get a better understanding.
This is a great article that explains the differences. When looking for training in Animal Assisted Interventions, it took me a long time to find what I was looking for because I wasn’t sure what it was called. This will be great to refer back to over the next little while.
I will definitely have to bookmark this page and refer back!
Thank you for explaining them all Sue! I certainly find them all overwhelming to keep straight and can echo others comments of empathy for the clients trying to find the right fit for their needs. I also think there is a general sense that if one is a Therapist they can partner with a horse trainer and just do what they do in a session with the horse as an add on… I have had to stand my ground several times on this that it is a specialized scope of practice and particular training is required. In reading these definitions I definitely think the EFMH designation is the correct one for me to pursue and I am so excited to start this journey in getting the correct ethical and appropriate training!
Thank you for this thorough overview Sue! I’m glad that we are seeing umbrella organizations and clear definitions and delineations of what fits under them. A common lexicon and clear paths to credentialing and scope of practice will truly propel the work of partnering with animals, and likely provide opportunities for specific peer reviewed research into the field.
Thank you for explaining each acronym in detail! I found it very informative.
Thank you for explaining the different acronyms and identifying the different organizations. I hope to work towards EFMH as a goal.
This is a super helpful list of terminology. I can only imagine how this might be confusing for a consumer/client given that it’s complicated for mental health professionals! I think that we will do best by our clients by ensuring clarity on what exactly we are providing so that expectation can be clearly defined and realistic goals can be identified.
Wow, I had no idea there were so many types of animal assisted interventions and acronyms. Very helpful to read through this list of terms and organizations.
Thank for the explanations of all the acronyms. When I started investigating I was so confused trying to keep up with it all. Glad I created a cheat cheat to refer to and you placed them all in once spot!
You’re welcome Jenn – I will need to keep updating it as people come up with new ones!
I am very appreciative of the links in this article. It is amazing all the different avenues one can take to help others with an animal as a focal point. I like how everything was explained in this article, which provided me with a great overview and a guide to expectations.
You’re welcome Tanja – I’m glad you’ve found it helpful!
I will echo many of the previous comments; thank you for laying this out so clearly! Very helpful.
I agree with many of the previous comments; thank you for laying this out so clearly! Very helpful.
Hi Sue,
I was hoping you might be able to clarify if there is a difference between Equine Facilitated Mental Health (EFMH) and Equine Facilitated Counselling (EFC)? Both from my understanding are certified mental health professionals supporting individuals perhaps with diagnoses/complex needs in a structured, goal oriented manner with therapeutic goals. I read both a couple times but I feel like I am missing something!
Thank you for the wonderful article this has helped me form a better understanding of all of the terms used, and clarifying which are “legit”
That’s a great question Kelsey!
I see EFC as a subset of EFMH. So EFMH would include any approach that integrates working with equines into a MH approach. EFC is for approaches followed by counsellors. I would not describe what I do as EFP/ EAP (equine assisted/ facilitated psychotherapy)for example as I would not describe myself as a psychotherapist. I’m a Certified Canadian counsellor so EFC more accurately describes what I do. Someone who was certified/ registered as a psychotherapist may be able to use the EAP/ EFP term. And both are forms of EFMH.
Does that help?
This article was very informative with where I stand with my EAL certification. I would like to become a therapist to help people especially the young women and adult women at risk in my community. I have my diploma in Psychology/Sociology and plan to go further in my education to achieve that goal.
Sounds great Julia! There is definitely lots of potential in starting work within a clearly defined LP scope of practice and then taking further studies to expand that into the MH field!
So many acronyms! My brain hurts! Makes me empathize with potential clients who are trying to figure it out and find appropriate help!
I have found over the last few years that the interest in Therapy Dogs has increased. I have theories around that (we also operate a dog boarding kennel and see the effect Covid has had on pet ownership. Its been eye opening!! The number of (what we call) “Covid puppies” that are sadly in need of socialization and often have separation anxiety and associated behavior issues. But that’s not my main point!
All that aside, on some FB groups (especially ones around therapy dogs in school for example) people say things like “I want to make my dog a therapy dog” or “I want to get a therapy dog, what is the best ones to get” or “what do I need to do to get my dog certified” and it makes me crazy! I feel for the dogs sake, as professionals in the field we need to increase the understanding of the field and these terms for the dog’s sake. Unfortunately (especially in the US it seems) good obedience and passing a certification is the main task but there is little understanding of HOW this work affects our animals, HOW to keep them safe, and HOW to understand and take into account their needs? Yep, it makes be crazy but I do believe education and awareness is key as there is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation out there. We owe it to the animals to be their advocates.
I totally agree Sue! We have several articles (and sections in the training courses) around ethics and the emotional safety and well being of the animals we are partnering with, which explore this in lots of depth. In terms of public awareness I share your concern and frustration. And I agree – the best we can do is to continue to advocate for our animal partners through education, awareness and role modelling approaches which honour and respect our animals as sentient beings with physical and emotional needs and the right to say no, to set boundaries and to have a limited scope of practice.
Thank you for the increased clarity of all theses approaches and acronym’s. This is very helpful in finding my way in articulating my journey together with my horses.
Great article, really great to have a glossary of terms available and to make sure I am using the correct terms. As a registered social worker there are some terms and labels I can use, and some that I can’t use or that would be misleading to use. It’s good to know that these terms are similar and yet carry vastly different professional meanings.
Thank you for this glossary of terms, I also appreciate learning about the CCPA AAT Chapter. It can feel overwhelming at the beginning of the journey to becoming an AAT- or EFW- certified mental health professional, therefore this is a helpful summary.
Great review and resources!
Thank you for clarifying the different acronyms and terminology. This is something that I think I will need to keep referring back to, but it is really useful for me, in deciding which pathway to go down and how to become properly qualified to reach my goals.
very interesting the number of different approaches available and each approach is dependent on the needs of the client or group, and the background skill of the human facilitator where the horses are just themselves and truly eclectic adjusting to whatever is presented.
I appreciate the clarification through this article. There are so many different terms it is hard to explain it to others. However, because there is increasing regulation of the practices I believe that will be valuable for helping normalize the terms among the general public.
I am so grateful these practices are becoming more regulated as it will uphold credibility and recognition in the field. It also may support further developments in research.
This is great information! As others have commented, it is so easy to see how overwhelming this can be not only for us learning and working in these areas but for the general population as well. Having these areas defined is so helpful! Thank you!
This is a great article to summarize the differences. A good resource that I can continue to come back to.
This is great information to help distinguish between all the different areas that are available. I myself find all the acronyms overwhelming as a beginner to this field, Hopefully the more I learn and become familiar, as well they.
As many of the previous comments have already indicated, the numerous names and acronyms are quite overwhelming. I would imagine it would be daunting for a potential client seeking this type of service to navigate. Although the shear breadth of the programs available in this field is overwhelming, I also find it exciting to think about all of the different possibilities that are available to mental health professionals when tailoring their practices.
Thank you for this clear description of all the different areas, very helpful and I had not appreciated the variety of practice out there. Echo other comments that it is good to see an increase in regulation and making me think about which path will be best for our local area. Am sure I will be referring back to this article frequently until all the nuances become ingrained in my memory.
You’re welcome Donna – I’m glad it’s helpful!
This is super helpful – I printed it off because I am pretty sure I will not remember all the terms and acronyms off the top of my head any time soon!
You were right, Sue, this blog post is a great resource, especially for folks (like me) who may choose to work with other animals vs. equines. The delineations of practice and the credentials required are very important to understand.
It’s great to see certifying bodies being separate from training providers.
Ethics are always on my mind–thank you for this post. I read through CCPA’s AAT guidelines, very helpful!
You’re welcome Mikayla – and we have a whole section on ethics coming up in the training!
It is inspiring and fills me with hope that horses will find a place in the human world where they will be recognized on their own merit and simply as a tool for humans. So many options for us to learn about them
It is so vital to utilise the correct vocabulary and terminology. This is a great article to familiarise myself with these key areas and to keep them in mind as I learn – thanks Sue!
You’re very welcome Selina, I’m glad it was helpful! You may find there are additional/ different terms popular in the UK so please feel free to ask me to clarify/ look into some of these if it would be helpful!
Will do, thanks again Sue!
whew!!!! Thank you, Sue, for explaining all of those terms and organizations I’m cure I will be referencing that article many times!!
Its a lot of information and quite a large umbrella but I find it reassuring that there are regulatory bodies in place. For the safety of the participants and instructors but most importantly for the animals who are sharing their magical gifts with us.
Absolutely – physical and emotional safety of all involved are things we will come back to again and again!
I think I may need to read this a few more times to really grasp all the different terminology we see and use in this field. Thank you for this informative article – I will certainly reference again.
Thank you for sharing such great information! I’ve been aware of the differences between AAT and EAL for quite some time, and I am a huge advocate about using the correct terms and being ethical in my practice. What actually brought me to this course and my decision to go back to school to do my Masters in Counselling was mainly ethical – It’s important for me to be able to help people in a holistic capacity and to me, that meant getting a higher education so that I can ensure I’m certified properly in both EFW and Counselling. By doing so, I hope to fulfill the goal that I can eventually help people in whatever ways are meaningful to them – through talk therapy, animal/equine assisted therapy, or through education.
I will definitely reference this list again and would like to eventually print this off for my future clients to reference as well if they are interested,
Wow! Such a great resource! You need to be knowledgeable so that you work within your scope of practice.
This is awesome!! Everything all in one spot! Definitely will be visiting this again
Thank you for sharing, it was so great to get acquainted with all the necessary abbreviations in one place!
I am glad that this industry is getting more regulated as there is still a lot of confusion out there. This article has been helpful in clarifying all the different terms out there.
I’m glad it was helpful Liz! There is also much happening in the industry now – including through the CCPA – to try to have some more consistent standards in this work. It’s always a bit of a slow process but it’s moving in the right direction I believe!
Sue, thanks again for the very informative breakdown of the bodies involved with AAT and some of the regulations now starting to happen. I believe this this so important. I agree with some of the other comments that many people are confused as to what services can be provided and what the qualifications are for each. Having these laid out in a more direct format is helpful. It is my hope that it will help people who are looking for services find the best service for them.
Well said Rhonda – it’s a broad and varied field so hopefully we can all define, describe and stay within our scope and approach in a way which, as you say, “will help people who are looking for services find the best service for them”
This was really helpful, not only in explaining the different organizations, but also so I could pay attention to the “yes! that” areas of interest and the “no thank you” that I’m feeling as I try and navigate if this is indeed what I want to pursue as my next career.
I like how you’ve expressed this Cherie!
Thank you for creating this blog that explains so all the various terms and the acronyms associated with the. It is good to know that the CCPA has a chapter focused upon AAT.
you’re every welcome Delhia. And I’d encourage you to join the CCPA AAT in C chapter!
I found this blog very clear and helpful as I do find acronyms tricky to remember especially when they have similar letters. I think I will need to read this a few times to let it sink in. Thanks Emma
I didn’t realize the many different types of activities involving animals existed. It was really helpful to read the various types and how they differ.
I find it interesting that there are two distinct terms related to counselling (EFMH and EFC). I’m trying to understand if differences are insinuated in the language of a “certified mental health professional” versus a “certified counsellor” – would the former typically refer to someone belonging to a regulatory body, such as a Registered Psychologist or Clinical Social Worker? I’m a Counselling Therapist, but engage in work as described for both EFMH and EFC. I saw in an earlier response you stated that someone with a masters in counselling psychology could describe their work with whichever term best fits our personal scope of practice?
When I was starting out the terms most widely in use were EFP/ EAP which I didn’t want to use as I’m not a licensed “Psychotherapist”) and EFMH which just sounded too clinical to me. So this was why I used the EFC term as I’m a counsellor. Terminology is an issue though that’s for sure! HETI (https://hetifederation.org/) have recently been involved in some research around terminology (mainly in Europe) and the one they recommend is EAS – Equine Assisted Services. I’d see this as an umbrella term similar to the EFW term used in Canada. I am a big advocate for being very clear about our scope of practice so this is often where I go – for each of us to use a term which is as clear as possible about what our scope of practice is!
bookmarking this to help make the distinction between EFW, EFL, EAL and Equine therapy to funders, clients and community partners. Where I am at now, I think EFL is the category that most closely aligns with my goals.
Thank you for explaining all the different types of Equine Therapy. It definitely helps bring more clarity and examples for future positions within the field. I will be referring back to this!
You’re welcome Samantha, I’m glad it was helpful!
Thank you Sue this is a very helpful resource ! The longer answer really helped me separate and clarify each definition within the scope of practice. I am setting aside time to do a deep dive into the content of the shared links .
That’s great to hear Karen!
Thank you for explaining the acronyms in such a straightforward way which allowed a pattern to develop making it easier to remember. It was interesting to note that “Counsellor” and “Psychotherapist” are dealt with differently, in terms of regulation in Canada, but are used fairly interchangeably in the UK, although the latter is considered to require longer therapeutic engagement.
You’re welcome Erica! In Canada many terms are now becoming regulated (although this varies by province) which means there is more of a definition and regulation as to who can use the terms, bringing greater assurance to our clients in terms of the credentials a person will have if they describe themself in a certain way. Is counsellor a regulated term in the UK now? E.g. do you have to be registered with the BCACC or could anyone describe themself as a counsellor?
At present “counsellor” is not a a protected term in the UK and anyone can use it as it is not currently a regulated profession. However, The Scope of Practice and Education for counselling and Psychotherapy (SCoPEd) has recently formed a collaborative project between the main Regulatory bodies in the UK (BACP, BPC and UKCP) and has developed a competence framework that maps core competences and practice standards for counsellors. This will ultimately create a “hierarchy” of practitioners.
Thanks Erica, that is good to know!
I appreciate the insight this article has given in defining the terminology and acronyms, I am sure I will reference this many times. Thank you!
You’re welcome Cassandra!
This post really helped to summarize each of the different terms and and terminology. This really highlights just how broad this scope of practice really is and the different directions you can take!
Although I find the various different designations and correct terminology a bit overwhelming in the moment, I also find it encouraging how many options there are. I look forward to exploring and learning more about these options and I will definitely be returning to this article in the future as it is an excellent resource.
Thanks for clarifying the differences and the acronyms! Very useful article.
You’re welcome Ale!
It will be interesting to navigate and determine my scope of practice a MEd and MSW (not on the clinical registry) practicing as a guidance counsellor with at-risk youth. Thank you for this article.
You’re welcome Sheika! We explore scope of practice in the training so you will have lots of support! Pro EFW are in process of simplifying the process too – there will be updates coming!
Thank you Sue! Unbelievably informative and beneficial. When entering unfamiliar territory, I remind myself to not try and boil the ocean. You provide the guidance required! It is reassuring that there is space for most professionals. However, I appreciate that you included the research showing just how many people are providing services outside their scope of practice. One of the great benefits of documentation – keeping ourselves accountable.
Great point re accountability Yolanda – we will come back to this each time we look at scope of practice!
Thank you for this breakdown. It provided much clarity…very helpful.
This was an extremely informative post. This is the type of break down I’ve been looking for as I know there are so many different avenues you can work towards. Where I am from EAL has become very popular to get certified in, yet I know many do act in a therapeutic way. I feel like the line between the two has gotten very blurry, so I am glad to find out that different governing bodies are attempting to regulating it more.
I’m glad it was helpful Aleshia! In terms of that ‘blurry line’ you reference this is where Pro-EFW require all its members to be very clear and to support their scope of practice in this field. I’ve found this by far the best way to recognise a wide range of approaches, credentials and strengths/ skills while also being ethical and safe in this work
its amazing just how many definitions there are which on one hand is great for clarity and recognition but on the other hand could be very confusing for those of us stepping into the profession let along the ones trying to find help. It would be good to know who the UK connections and bodies are.
I hear you Freddi! This article was written several years ago and I have since included lots more of the UK connections and bodies into our trainings. Organisations I’d suggest checking out right away are HETI https://hetifederation.org/ and the equine assisted services partnership (EASP): https://easp.co.uk/. In the UK I highly recommend you work towards becoming registered on HEIR – The Human Equine Interaction Register: https://easp.co.uk/join-the-register/ which used to be managed by HETI and is now managed by the EASP. My own experience and that of several other HH students based in the UK shows that they will accept your HH training and Pro-EFW certification credentials as will UK insurance companies!
That is really helpful to know and this will then allow me to practice?
Once you are listed on the EASP register and have insurance in place then I would say yes, you should be ready to start practicing. Pro-EFW support you to start practicing after foundation training, again provided you stay within your scope of practice and have insurance in place. My recommendation is to do this under supervision of a Pro-EFW mentor too as this will allow you to count your hours towards Pro-EFW certification requirements too
Joining the CCPA AAI chapter and working on dog training in prep for AAI through Eileen Bona’s Dreamcather program is what eventually led me to Healing Hooves. Having been an educator for over 35 years I’m used to the complicated acronym maze. As more provinces are regulated in Canada I hope the profession starts using the same terms for equine assisted therapy services that can only be done by certified counsellors who are regulated by provincial bodies and laws.
Thank you for such a comprehensive yet clear explanation of the different terms and what is best practice. This is very helpful as I am starting out in this field. I look forward to the next article in the series. I do wonder, if ‘facilitated’ is not great due to its implications, why has Pro-EFW not made the switch to ‘assisted’?
That is a good question Celina! The EFW term has been so central to Pro-EFW’s identity that I think it would be a tough one to let go. Plus name changes are not so great for brand recognition!
I’m really appreciating the learning I’m doing through Healing Hooves, and I’m grateful for the thoughtful way the program is put together. As I’ve been exploring the different models of animal‑assisted and equine‑based therapies, I’ve noticed something I wanted to share gently from my perspective as an Indigenous person.
All of the regulating bodies and certification pathways we’ve been introduced to come from Western frameworks. They each have value, and I can see the care and professionalism behind them. At the same time, my relationship with horses, animals, and the land comes from a very different worldview — one rooted in culture, community, and teachings that have been passed down through generations. For many Indigenous people, healing is not something that happens in a clinical or structured way. It happens through connection, reciprocity, responsibility, and our deep relationship with the land and the beings we share it with.
Because none of the current certifications come from Indigenous organizations, Indigenous ways of knowing and being aren’t reflected in these models. This isn’t a criticism of the program or of anyone involved. It’s simply something I’ve become more aware of as I learn. Many Indigenous people have been harmed or excluded in Western therapeutic settings because our worldviews aren’t represented or understood, even when the intentions are good.
My hope is that as the field of equine‑assisted therapy continues to grow, there will be space for Indigenous approaches to be recognized and included — not as an “alternative,” but as a valid, meaningful, and culturally grounded way of working with horses and supporting healing.
I’m sharing this in the spirit of learning together, and with respect for everyone in the program. I believe there is room for all of our ways of knowing, and that including Indigenous perspectives can only strengthen the work we all care about.
I am SO grateful for your post here Juanita and that you have shared these important points. You’ve done so very eloquently too! Having grown up and gone to school in Scotland, my introduction to Indigenous wisdom came later in life and has primarily been from what I have learned from Indigenous clients and students, from reading Robin Wall Kimmerer, and from discussions with my daughters as they have a different education (including in university anthropology courses). So I am definitely not an expert, plus I have struggled for a long time with the concept of white people thinking they are in any way qualified to represent Indigenous perspectives. One thing I would say from what I’ve been learning in various contexts – I see there being close affinity between an Indigenous worldview and the wisdom I learn with and from my horses.
This is all leading me to propose, with your permission, that I share some or all of your comments with Pro-EFW and ask how they would feel about having Indigenous representation on their Board of Directors. I have a feeling they would be open to this and I could see this be a step towards better inclusion and opportunities to learn from each other and together.
I appreciate the dedication to terminology to differentiate the services being provided. Semantics are important because the meanings conveyed can mislead people, and I think greater recognition and, hopefully, regulation will be on the horizon.
I hadn’t realized there were so many variations and intricacies to EFW! And yes, I am guilty of referring to this work as “equine therapy” too!
This reminds me of the variation, the ambiguities, and inconsistencies, and well-intentions within Music Therapy. There are therapists who who use music for ambiance; there are musicians who use if for self therapeutic reasons, there are therapists who specifically train to use sound and vibrations for certain therapeutic effects (but may not necessarily be musicians!) and then there are professional musicians or music teachers who try to counsel people through music – with or without counselling training!
Thank you for broadening the scope of practice and encouraging us with the progress being made!
I like the copmparison to music therapy here Angela!
The explanation and insight into each term was very helpful. I was familiar with some of the terms (AAI, AAT, EFW), but not several of the others, or the differences that separate them! Initially, I also used to refer to this work as Equine Therapy, yet it makes total sense why this term can be misinterpreted. I think it is incredibly important that professionals within this field are pushing for a regulatory body, as I have unfortunately witnessed how individuals can be claiming to be providing a service beyond their scope of practice, such as advertising a service as equine facilitated counselling when rather it’s equine facilitated learning. While I think that stems from a lack of knowledge and awareness, it really emphasizes why proper training is so so important! For our clients, our animals, and ourselves.
Thank you for sharing such detailed information. I look forward to diving into the scope of practice.
Very detailed information, Thank you for sharing. I look forward to diving into the scope of practice.
You’re welcome Angie, lots more coming!
This is so informative, and a lesson to be learned about the acronyms we come across, what they actually mean and refer to and help guide us to know what we are to call ourselves when leading in the field that we chose. Prior to this course, I have been telling people that I’ve had Equine Therapy, and I want to do Equine Therapy, and be an Equine Therapist. I’m now changing that. I have had Equine Therapy with a RCC and horses in tandem, and it was profound, I don’t particular want to be a therapist to a horse, however I do want to work with horses as they are very therapeutic sentient beings to be around and work with, to help others, so I want to become certified in Pro-EFW and become an Equine Facilitated Wellness Professional. Now is this how I would be able to title myself after full certification for Pro-EFW? I think this sounds right? Please say if I’ve yet confused self with all this terminology, you know when you think you’ve got it, and then realise you haven’t? LOL! I’m already in a role that has so many acronyms, some that literally mean the same thing, and it does become pretty exhausting remembering what is what and who is who, even at work now, I am an RN (registered nurse), RN (research nurse), a SDP Clinician, a IHM Clinician, a CVC Clinician (was HHM), a PCP (primary care provider is what I have to sign my name to, but I am not a doctor or nurse practitioner), and it all gets so confusing depending on who I am speaking to or sending an email to – I have to remember which email designation signature to add! And, like many of you, I’m a wife, a mum, a daughter, an animal lover and I am human and an empath. Quite the mix!
Hi Tracey – please be reassured that this is something we continue to support you around as you do more training, both during training courses and within mentoring, and as we support you in developing your scope of practice. Rather than simply using the term Equine Facilitated Wellness Professional (as most people would not know what that means!) you would more likely develop a description of what it is you are offering in terms of human services and then add that you offer equine facilitated wellness services within that scope. Like I initially identify myself as a counsellor and then talk about the EFW approach. But please be reassured that we will support you in getting to these descriptive words when you’re at that stage! I also have several students who are also in the nursing field so when you are ready I can connect you!
This is great, thank you Sue!
I do however feel that it is so important to be able to distinguish who you are and what your scope of practice is with clients, so when I am at work, despite all of the acronyms I use in my emails, and how I answer the phone depending on which role I am doing on any given day, I always tell the client that I am a registered nurse, as that is what my licence states, and that is what I am referred to on my professional registration. When I do become a EFW-Professional (if this is the correct term), then I will be this in this field and my RN will be my background, not active in this role as my RN scope of practice will not be transferrable in terms of what I can say to a client I speak to at work and what I can say to a client outside of my RN workplace; the skills that I can transfer is my knowledge, and how to connect with people, how to explore their wellbeing in connect with their body and mind, but not offer advice that would be out of this scope of practice – for example, relating to their medications, their doctor’s advice. The number one priority is that of my clients in any given role, and their safety, and my safety in the roles that I partake and not going over the line, to advise or make suggestions, or hearsay because I have heard else-where. I never have, and hopefully never will say to a client ‘well this is what I would do’, and I have been asked this question many a time by patients/client, as it can be a dangerous path to go down, and I don’t want to ever become part of a court case, and for this reason I often document verbatim when speaking of conversations with clients – and I assume that all calls are recorded, even though we are told they are not – when starting to become a nurse, I always have pictured in my mindset that eyes and hears are everywhere, and it has kept my practice safe, especially when I’ve had to be eyes and ears for things that have gone off and I’ve had to become a witness. I feel that there’s a necessity for being professional, being ethical, and working within one’s scope of practice, all for a reason of safety, confidentiality, and clarity.
As a social worker, it’s important to me to have a regulatory body. It’s safety for the public and that was always my fear in moving into this work. I have encountered so many programs that offer “therapy” yet there is no trained MH clinician present. My own need to be a part of a vetted community is why ProEFW was a draw for me. I acknowledge there is much room for growth here in Canada but it’s a solid start,
Yes, we are getting there! Scope of practice is such an important part of this
I’ll have to find the book again, but my understanding is that without a shared, standardized terminology across the field, it becomes much harder to validate outcomes through research. I’m glad to see there is movement toward greater consistency now.
Very helpful in clarifying widely used terms. Using accurate terminology, along with recognized regulatory bodies and standards, not only builds trust in the facilitator but also helps protect the clients we serve.
This article is great at describing the (multiple) types of AAI applications and the different scope of parctice between wellness, therapy, and learning. I’m sensing that the field has exploded over the past decade and this tapestry of approaches and certifying bodies is responding to keep up with the growth by ensuring professional integrity and oversight, particularly in therapy and councilling streams. Am I right in noticing that there are few structured and/or professional oversight bodies for AAA or EAL practitioners? This is a bit concerning but perhaps Pro-EFW is helping to close this gap through it’s portfolio option?
Pro-EFW definitely include people operating within the learning field – provided this is with equines.
Thank you for explaining the different terms and terminology. This is a very helpful.
I am curious if there’s current discussion in Canada about eventually shifting from the term EFW to EAS, since ‘assisted’ may better reflect the role of the horse and the term “facilitated” seems to become less popular?
When obtaining the Pro-EFW certification, would it be appropriate to use the term: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy if you are in a Canadian province where psychotherapist is regulated or would you use Equine Facilitated Wellness?
That would be a question for Pro-EFW! I think they are sticking with facilitated right now as a name change would be confusing.
Determining what to call yourself and what you do in the field will actually be part of your scope of practice process and discussions later on in your training – I would think that if your scope of practice is as a psychotherapist and you are a part of a regulatory body that uses that term then that would be appropriate. You can also simply describe yourself as a psychotherapist who incorporates equines into your work/ approach or something along those lines!
It used to really frustrate me when clients referred to my sessions as “Equine Therapy” because of my scope of practice when I began as a LP, and therefor using the term “therapy” would not be correct, and would be misleading. I would always correct them (gently) and provide education about the program, but as this article indicates it’s a simple and broad term people commonly use that can mean a range of things. As a psychotherapist, I use “Equine Assisted Interventions” for documentation and for billing purposes refer to my work as “Equine Assisted Art Psychotherapy” as I use both art therapy interventions and equine facilitated/assisted interventions in my barn sessions, and “Psychotherapy” must be on the receipt to obtain reimbursement from insurance companies. I have been a member of the CCPA and the AAT group for the past year and a half, and I look forward to more opportunities to learn from others in the broader AAT field through this membership.
Thank you, Sue, for breaking down terminology that can feel overwhelming when first entering this field. I really appreciate the distinction between simply calling something “equine therapy” and understanding Equine Facilitated Wellness as a much broader, intentional partnership where horses can support human healing, learning, growth, and relationships. It also helped me understand how EFW fits within the larger field of Animal Assisted Interventions and why using clear, current terminology is so important as I continue learning.