Over the last decade I have trained and practised with many leading organisations and individual therapists in the fields of Animal and Equine Assisted Therapy.   These include The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), Leigh Shambo of HEAL, Franklin Levinson, Lucy Rees and many others. I was a member of the team delivering training to students on the SCAS Animal Assisted Interventions in Therapeutic Practice course.

During this time I have been fortunate enough to work with a number of different client groups in settings including schools, colleges, foster care, residential care, rehabilitation units and day care centres, supporting clients with mental health problems, addictions, emotional and behavioural difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities.

I offer workshops on Equine Assisted Interventions which are tailored to suit the needs of individuals and professional groups.   These half-day or one day workshops are designed as a thorough introduction to the above interventions and can focus on different aspects including:

• What are Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies?
• How do they fit with counselling, psychotherapy and other therapeutic or clinical interventions?
• Why and when might they be helpful and to which clients?
• Standards and Definitions
• Theoretical frameworks and models
• Setting up a new programme
• Safe practice
• Selecting suitable animals for this work
• Matching clients and animals
• Animal welfare – the law, ethical and moral considerations
• Interactive work

Workshops can be run on your own premises which makes effective use of your time and resources and ensures that training is specific to the needs of your staff team and client group but this does incur additional travel expenses depending on your location. Alternatively my premises and animals are available for training workshops. I am based in Devon about 10 miles from Exeter.

Some feedback from previous workshops:

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your workshop, it was one of the most interesting, informative days I've had for ages.   I thought you presented the whole thing brilliantly.   Thankyou.”

“Thanks for the other Saturday, it's great to be with someone as enthusiastic and knowledgeable as yourself”