The Quick Answer
There are many certification options in the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW) fields, meaning this can be an overwhelming and confusing topic at first. For reasons I discuss in more depth below, the Canadian certification program I usually recommend for EFW is through The Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness (Pro-EFW). Pro-EFW have a credible and flexible certification approach for people who are seeking certification in EFW as a mental health, equine facilitated learning and/ or equine professional. It is possible to certify in one, two or all three of these areas.
AAT training is a whole other area which will need to be the subject of another article, but two organisations I regularly recommend are Pet Partners and Dreamcatcher Nature Assisted Therapy. The AAT chapter of the CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association) is also a great resource in this area.
The Longer Answer
This is a lengthy topic with several professional associations, and an increasing number of private businesses, offering certification programs. Some of these programs also offer initial and ongoing training that they require you to attend in order to attain and then maintain their certification, others programs are independent of those delivering the training. Each program come with different requirements in terms of both pre-existing credentials, training and other requirements including practicums, personal growth, mentoring, and continuing education, and lead to different types of certification.
Our aim at Healing Hooves is to help each individual find the certification and training route which fits best for them and their situation. This is usually most effective as a conversation which takes into consideration both the person’s individual goals in EFW and/or AAT and their pre-existing credentials and experience, with both animals and people. For the purposes of this article I will stick to some guiding principles and highlight some of the key options available. We provide and explore more in depth details of several options, and help people apply these to their personal goals and situations, within our Exploration Training program.
Considerations in Selecting a Certification Program
Firstly I believe that an EFW or AAT certification program should speak to and assess your training, skills and credentials in all of the following areas:
- The human service you plan to provide (e.g. counselling, education, or leadership);
- The animal you plan to work with (e.g. horses, dogs, or llamas);
- The EFW approach you intend to follow (e.g. attachment based); and
- The population you plan to work with (e.g veterans, parents, or youth at risk).
All of these come together to form your Scope of Practice in EFW and/ or AAT. You can find more discussion of the above recommendations, including through a case study example, in our earlier article The Certification Conundrum.
Secondly I believe that an EFW or AAT certification program needs to have a strong focus on safety and ethics.
This is complex within both EFW and AAT as there are many different needs to consider, including those of the clients, the horses and other animals, and the facilitators, which can at times seem to conflict. There are also several different aspects of safety, for example emotional safety as well as physical, which apply. The flexibility and variety within the fields of EFW and AAT also create different considerations and risk factors. Thus a certification program needs to find a way to be comprehensive enough in all of the above areas to be credible, yet at the same time flexible enough to be practical.
Finally, I believe that credible and effective certification in any area is best achieved by an organization that is not also in the business of providing the required training.
This removes the conflicting interests (actual and perceived) of personal gain and ensures that the focus is upon developing standards and certifying professionals that will best serve the needs and protect the interests of our clients and of our horses and other animals. This also follows International and Canadian best standards that call for the clear separation of certification and training as detailed in ISO/IEC 17024, Conformity assessment – General Requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. The only programs I am aware of following these requirements are Pro-EFW in Canada, and PATH and the CBEIP in the US.
The certification program that I have found does all of the above the best in Canada is from Pro-EFW.
That being said, I feel it important to provide information about the other options, to empower people to assess for themselves which is the best option for them, and for the situations when Pro-EFW may not be the best option.
An example of this may be if you plan to work within a Therapeutic Riding program (usually as a partnership between a mental health professional and a Therapeutic Riding instructor) in which case the CanTRA program may be the better fit for you. CanTRA utilises a US exam based program from the Certification Board for Equine Interaction Professionals (CBEIP) and certify you for working with one client and one horse at a time.
Other options for certification include PATH International, EAGALA and Epona.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Next Question in the Series: How Long Does it Take, and How Much Does it Cost, to Certify?
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!
I really wanted a ‘quicker’ route, but EFW seemed to have the most ‘professional’ and ‘down to earth’ requirements and explanations.
EFW Canada seems to have the most comprehensive, well-thought out certification program, some of its’ principles are very similar to the Canadian Psychological Association principles and ethics. It is quite a rigorous certification, which is good but also daunting.
I was looking for a safe and credible certification process, and found this through the EFW route at Healing Hooves. I too, was looking for a quicker training, but also looking for integrity and high standards – a firm basis for starting my new business where people and animal will be safe.
This has been a very difficult question for me to answer as there are simply so many different options to choose from. I agree with the above comments that EFW seem to be the most credible and comprehensive certification program and I truly appreciate the time and effort that Sue has given me while trying to establish how I should go about my certification. I am looking forward to continuing to explore this question in the upcoming Explorations in Equine Facilitated Wellness and Animal Assisted Therapy training this May.
I also agree with the above comments and EFW is very structured and has a flexible timeline to really ingrain your learning. With quicker learning you may be certified, but much of what you have learned (pushed through) will retained?
Frank Brodhecker
I like the certification and training being carried out independently. This will be a factor in the certification process that I select. I think that the otherwise ensuing conflict of interest would not work within the ethical responsibilities of my current mental health profession.
I agree with the ethics and core values of the EFW. I like the training format for someone that is currently working full time it fits my schedule. In doing the readings I do feel like EFW is the best choice for me.
I appreciate the standards in which EFW-Canada represents. This seems like the most “legitimate” route of certification, whose quality I would imagine will become the norm in time. I am not sure if you will be able to answer this here, but are you aware of any AAT programs that follow Canadian Best Standards (I am not sure if you were including AAT as well when you said that EFW was the only one in compliance)? I really appreciate how clearly this article discusses the field of EFW (I am finding my research in AAT to be less informative).
Several of the AAT programs are through or accredited by a college or university. I would suggest looking for this if possible, provided there is also a hands on experiential component.
I appreciate that someone with your experience and knowledge is helping to navigate the certification process. Your high standards for ethics and safety for all involved are reflected in the article and other information you provide. This process can be challenging even with your help. Thank you.
Similar to what others have already mentioned, I agree with the ethics, core values/principles of the EFW. I think it is important that the appropriate guidelines and certification process be adhered to as this helps provide the proper safety and ethical standards needed to keep everyone involved (animals and humans) safe.
being professional, and having credential is for me very important as I want to offer the best possible service. Safety is also a big concern, therefore, I am afraid of offering group work by myself, I rather have one on one session. I understand after reading more on the healing hooves website that a team of two is better, as one take care of the horse and one facilitate the session. I am looking forward to incorporate all of that during the exploration weekend.
I too agree with what others have said, EFW – Canada seems professional, safe and comprehensive. I also like that it’s Canadian! I’m nor sure if the others are or not. I haven’t looked into the others very much, I do know my friend from Phoenix trained under either Epona or Eagala. I have not heard about PATH before.
I found this blog to be informative and it made me critically reflect on values and ethics, both personally and professionally. I think the structured process and duration speak to the level and credibility of certification, which is important in this area! I really like how they are independent and speaks to the professionalism as well as recognizing the conflict of interest or dual relationships.
I also agree it is most credible to separate the certification from those offering the training programs. Thanks for walking us through the options and recommending EFW Canada based on your experience. Very helpful.
I completely concur with this article. I have spent many hours researching different EFC programs. EFW-Canada’s programs seem to be the most comprehensive discussing many different aspects of starting an equine facilitated business. It was important for me to find a program that addressed all of my needs/concerns from professional training to business related concerns.
Perfect! This is what I need… to sort out who offers which certification, and to define the scope of practice I’m interested in developing. This is helpful, thank you!
In all honesty, I have not given much thought yet to what next after “Exploration Training” as I plan on taking it one step at a time. That being said, it is reassuring to know that there is a credible Canadian certification program and helpful individuals in the field that are available to help individualize a plan.
When looking at working with horses and integrating them into my future scope of practice, I had done some research on what would be the highest regarded certification, which is legitimate and would properly prepare me for this work. After the exploration training I hope to have a better idea on what may be the best fit for me but the values of EFW resonates as a great framework to work within.
Credible certification is something I look for in addition to finding a professional body that has similar values that fall under my theoretical framework. This will support my future scope of practice.
Your intuition and pragmatism are helping me to form a clearer picture of my Scope of Practice thoughts – something I had yet to even put into words. These articles are great. Thank you for the clarity.
Oh boy, loaded question! It’s very similar to answering why I chose to go the EC route for my equestrian certifications. In short, the values, principles, the completeness of information and way of instruction resonated best with me. EC recognized EFW and so everything will work well together. Even my insurance company (Capri) is happy to add EFW coverage. When things work well together we can better work 🙂
It is good to know that Capri can add the additional EFW coverage. I deal with them as well.
In addition to this blog I read “The Certification Conundrum” and found them very informative together. The case studies were very helpful to understand the invisible trauma we can actually create/amplify if we don’t hold ourselves responsible and accountable to understanding the whole picture instead of just a part.
I spent a lot of time researching the different certifications and I think that EFW is the best one out there. There are some that are quicker but I wanted a more thorough approach where I would leave feeling equipped to run programs. So important to do our field justice!
I appreciate having all options laid out, I believe it will be very helpful in making informed decisions. I am not even sure what my next steps will be beyond the exploration training, but I really appreciate having access to all of this information.
I didn’t realize that there were different governing bodies for EFW and AAT. At this point, I’m not exactly sure where I’ll go after I complete the introductory/exploratory course but EFW-Can seems to be very well structured ethically and professionally.
I found all of the information “out there” to be pretty confusing. At the beginning of this journey, I didn’t know the difference between EFW and EAL, let alone all of the other acronyms out there… but once I started to learn about differences (and once I was certified in EAL), I can say that I appreciate everything that has been put into EFW-Can, and believe that is the way to go. I would like to have something quicker, like some of the other participants have spoken about, as for me “just starting” at 45 yrs of age feels like I’m way behind where I “should” be, especially when as a society, we get used to the idea of “instant gratification”. However – anything worth working towards is worth taking the time to do. Yes – it means I won’t be in practice tomorrow, but when I get to where I’m meant to be, I’ll be ready.
Very interesting how many different routes there are to go. I think after exploring my scope of practice more I will have a better idea where to go with this!
I love the openness and the honesty in this article. So many organizations just try and sell their angle of things but Sue is always so supportive with regards to helping people find the correct path and direction they are looking for. I took the time to do a lot of research and reading into the many options out there and then brought my questions to Sue directly. She was very willing to help clear up any confusion I had, her desire to ensure quality over quantity is what drew me to the program and I’m very excited to continue through the next few chapters of my experience with her program.
Thanks so much for this feedback Dayna! I learned long ago that trying to ‘convince’ someone to attend your program when it’s not the best fit for them rarely works well for anyone! One of the amazing things about our field is the diversity in approaches and I love now that I can help guide people to find the approach that fits best for them – whether they are looking for direct services, training, certification or resources. It also means that when people do choose to train and/ or work with me that the fit is already so much better! Even within the Pro EFW umbrella you will find that different trainers and programs, while following very similar philosophies around safety, ethics and the role of the horse, each have their own way of doing things. You will see within the online interactive part of the exploration that we share some info and contacts from other training programs you can select from for foundations and focus trainings. Even Carolyn, who works as a part of my program at Healing Hooves (has been with me for over ten years actually!) and did all of her EFW training with me, does the work in a slightly different way as she is a different person than me who brings different things to the table and has different trainings from other aspects of her career and life. I find this diversity makes for a richer way of doing things and keeps us all learning and challenging ourselves!
After reading a little more about the EFW certification process it made sense that this is likely the route I would like to go. What I like about it was that there are several different routes (EC’s, EFLP’s, and MHP’s) which allows for a wider variety of people to become certified but in different ways. I also appreciated that there are requirements to be met not only in terms of the work that you may be doing with a client (therapy side of it) as well as work done with horses (required time spent working with horses). I feel that this is a good route in order to ensure that professionals have well rounded skills in all different areas.
From the research that I have done to date, I feel an alignment with EFW- Can. I will evaluate that as I go through the programs at Healing Hooves, once I find the scope of practise that fits best for me.
As many others, I spent a lot of time researching the various equine facilitated programs available. The duration of this program and certification process truly speaks to the quality of instruction offered.
My path towards becoming a Registered Psychologist has instilled a strong sense of safety and adherence to formal ethical code and standards of practice guidelines. This being said, my pursuit of a credible and comprehensive EFW program led me to Healing Hooves. I feel a great deal of gratitude to be able to access such a training opportunity in my own province. I started my exploration with no conception of a timeline on how long this process of learning, growth, and certification requirements would take. I am settling into the excitement of the adventure and the belief that my path will take as long as in necessary for me to balance “being” and “doing” in the process. Lastly, I am curious to explore some of Epona’s offerings that might fit the criteria for personal development hours? I am not sure if anyone has done any that they would suggest?
An Epona personal growth workshop would be a great way to gain some personal growth hours. If you can get there then I would highly recommend Deborah Marshall at Generation farms on the Island.
I do really appreciate the flexibility of the EFW-Can approach. That being said, I wouldn’t want to sacrifice credibility for flexibility, so I’m glad it maintains a professional/credible standing.
This is a helpful breakdown. I agree with the safety and ethics being highlighted while also retaining some degree of flexibility to make sure it is practical and accessible for those with various experiences and life goals.
I always look when doing anything ” is this the best fit for me”? I appreciate the EFW/AAT certification programs that speak to and address all areas to form a scope of practice along with focus on safety and ethics. This is really solid.
If I were wishing to be certified, I will definitely look at the agencies you’ve recommended for Animal Assisted Therapy!
Integrity is of paramount importance. I do appreciate the many options and paths, and that the are left to the individual to determine a best fit.
EFW is a really solid certification. If I decide to get certified I will choose this one.
Thank you for all of these helpful articles. I couldn’t agree more, ethics, safety, the scope of practice, and separation between training and certification are all important for credibility, legitimacy, and professional practice.
you are welcome, I’m glad it is a fit for you!
So much to learn but I am excited, my first course will be complete in a couple of weeks!
I have found this Exploration training vital and imperative to the deep digging one must do to determine if EFW/AAT is right for them, and to clearly outline, the definitions of all the roles held within, the scope of practice/expectations of those roles and all the factors that must be considered before pursuing any further. Due diligence is key and necessary and can bring forth some unexpected challenges to consider and open the channels for direction to utilizing the strengths we each bring to the collective table of study.
Slightly off topic, but….Llama’s! You mentioned llamas and it reminded me how much I would love to bring therapy llama into our herds here:)
Back to the topic at hand… determining who to seek certification from is a undoubtable a process. And if it wasn’t, then there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself or your clients paying for it in the end. Thank you for clearly narrowing down the key components to finding an organization that will offer what is important to me.
I personally know very little about Llamas but I do know several people (including Eileen Bona at Dreamcatcher) who have incorporated llama’s into their work and would be happy to connect you! One thing I am aware of is that some horses are scared of llamas – so you would need to manage the introduction and integration process well!
lots of thought going into considering scope of practice, thanks for the following:
Firstly I believe that an EFW or AAT certification program should speak to and assess your training, skills and credentials in all of the following areas:
The human service you plan to provide (e.g. counselling, education, or leadership);
The animal you plan to work with (e.g. horses, dogs, or llamas);
The EFW approach you intend to follow (e.g. attachment based); and
The population you plan to work with (e.g veterans, parents, or youth at risk).
you are welcome Aprille!
I have read and understand the importance of all the above. It is overwhelming and a bit confusing, I am sure it will all make more sense once further along. At this point my plan is to become Pro EFW certified and to continue with Healing Hooves. Once I form my Scope of Practice I will have a better understanding of my cans and can’ts.
Thank you Sue for sharing all your knowledge
You are welcome Meghan – it does start to get clearer, I promise!
I’m thankful Sue that I found you early. I know I made the right choice in coming back to you. From all the comments and feedback I’ve read I don’t feel the need to do my own research. I know I’ve found the right and credible organization in Pro-EFW. I also appreciation your references to other credible training organizations in the field.
you are so welcome Judy!
I have decided to do certification though Pro EFW. I know they are not the fastest route, but I think they are very credible. I know this is important and I want to convey the right message to my clients in regards to my own credibility when doing this work.
I would not have realized the significance of having the training body be separate from the certification body until now. That definitely makes sense from a conflict of interest perspective!
Good point Tammy
Even though Pro-EFW will take awhile to complete the certification process I still feel they are the best route! I’m very happy so far with the steps taken to ensure individuals are fully trained.
that is great to hear Denay!
I am nervous about which route I would be able to take with the PRO – EFW. Sue, you and I spoke before, about possibly the Learning route, and, I’m still uncertain even though I have read the Certification process, about the Certification process!! So, I will continue to explore, and take more classes!! Thanks everyone!
there is much more guidance to come on this CharMaine, it will gradually start to make more sense!
Great article on directions one could take for EFW or AAT
Definitely need to think about scope of practice when choosing someone to certify with and how that fits what you want to do with horses.
Thank you for all of the information Sue it has given me a lot to think about. I feel with my scope of practice that Pro EFW certification makes the most sense for me and I am looking forward to continuing on with this part of my journey.
you are welcome Jeanette!
Great information. I find it particular important to consider approaches when choosing.
We are investigating adding Equine Wellness to our offering. Couple questions, if I may; Do the mental health professionals (Psychologist and Social Workers) require certification or is certification for those working with the mental health professional while attending the horse? Do any of these certifications provide the facility to bill direct to health plans? Sad as it is to have to investigation, cost recovery a huge factor in providing this type help to so many who require. Thank you
Hi David
These are good questions!
I recommend that all members of the team (including the mental health professionals) complete training in EFW and seek certification, and Pro-EFW have a specific certification stream for this. Most mental health professional/ regulatory bodies have a scope of practice clause/ requirement that requires members to only work within a scope of practice they are trained within – thus to add EFW to their scope without training (and I would say certifying) in it would be going against their professional body requirements.
In terms of direct billing to insurance companies, this will depend on the underlying mental health certification of the person/ team delivering the service – most insurance companies will will reimburse EFW sessions if the person delivering them is a registered psychologist, MSW and in some cases a CCC. I’m not sure if any allow for direct billing other than AHS if the person is a psychiatrist or Children’s Services if you have a contract with them. It likely does vary from province to province though!
I hope this helps!
I feel that Pro EFW standards , beliefs and ethics reflect what I feel personally about this line of work.
I really like how well thought out the Pro-EFW standards and certification requirements are. At the same time it is all very overwhelming! But I imagine it will get easier as you walk it out, step by step! I am grateful to have mentors to assist in this process!
yes – we do go through the requirements at every training and each time help you apply them a bit more to your own situation, credentials and certification journey. Most people tell me it gets a bit clearer and less overwhelming each time!
Thank you, Sue, for this article. Each time I read about the requirements and the different ways to get certified, it all sticks just a little better in my mind!
that is the hope and is great to hear!
Thanks for the article. I plan to go with the EFW approach but wish that there were training options closer to Toronto.
Super helpful article Sue! It’s definitely overwhelming to understand what is all required to become certified and then find the right organization and fit. It’s very reassuring to know that I can pursue EFW through Pro-EFW and meet all the requirements and be seen as a credible professional in the EAT field!
So much to consider, I appreciate the clear succinct message in this article.
There is so much to think on. With the information I have so far I am leaning towards pro-EFW.
Thank you for the guidance.
I, like many of us, was looking for a quicker program, but I am glad that I have enrolled here and EFW as there is so much more to learn and understand. I feel that this is the right path for me.
so glad this is proving to be a good fit for you!
I am so happy that I was able to find ProEFW – after searching numerous programs and courses, I was struggling to find one that really encompassed everything I wanted to do until now. As an occupational therapy student with equine experience, I like the flexibility and the option to become dually certified.
I fully agree with the statement on finding a regulating body that is not also profiting off of providing trainings. I agree with the way EFW does this as it feels more credible that the required trainings are provided externally.
That’s great Ashley – this has been an aspect of training and certification that has been incredibly important to me right from the start!
When I started down this journey, I didn’t realize how difficult it was going to be to find appropriate training and certification in AAT (I am not working with horses, but instead with a canine). Training and certification standards are essential to working in this field in a way that is safe and healthy for all parties involved. For equines, it seems as though the Pro-EFW is the way to go – and I will have to explore to see where I turn next for AAT!
The breakdown of this information has been extremely helpful with sorting out important certification details amongst the vast amount of programs/information out there. Ethical practice is, among many other aspects, competent practice and finding a certification program that meets the highest standards was important to me. Grateful to have found Pro-EFW!
I agree, after reading all the info out there I now appreciate a little more how many different off shoots there are in this field, and there is a really good training path and regulatory body for Pro – EFW. The high regard for the equine’s potential as a sentient being, and need to care for them, and our clients’ welfare and safety too, highlight Pro-EFW as a forward thinking, holistic programme.
I like the points raised here in considering Pro-EFW certification. I had not thought about the ethics around a certifying body making a profit off of training… a valid point made!
I’m wondering if Pro-EFW plans on recognizing people being trained under different approaches such as reflective-intuitive, active, and/or experiential?
It’s at the Foundation and Focus training level that a specific approach to EFW gets taught – exploration training is really just an introduction to the field where we explore the foundational aspects including safety, ethics, scope of practice and the importance of partnering with our equines as sentient beings. From Foundations on Pro EFW actually has two trainers who teach a reflective/ intuitive/ integrative approach. If you’d like me to connect you with those trainers let me know and I’d be happy to do so! I would say all of the Pro-EFW trainers build in aspects of the active approach into their work and trainings.
I have looked into quite a few training options but am very glad I decided on HH, as I feel it is very suited to me and a good fit for me in terms of their approach, taking into account attachment, neuroscience and trauma.
I’m so glad you found us Selina and that it’s a good fit!
Hear, hear!
Through your articles, the exploration training, and your attachment approach, I able to confidently choose HH foundations and focus training as my next steps to Pro EFW.
That is wonderful to hear Charlotte – I am looking forward to continuing to work with you!
I appreciate the focus of the article on the best practices in the field. I believe that to work ethically with animals, although it is a time-consuming process, to ensure the safety of all involved, it is the best way to go. Thank you for the clarity of who offers this option in training.
I agree Rhonda, whatever we do in this field the physical and emotional safety of all involved – including the animals – is paramount