faq's
wellness services
what if I want to ride horses?
Many people believe that the therapeutic value of horses lies in the act of riding them. Although this can be true for those with physical challenges such as MS or Muscular Dystrophy, there are tremendous advantages and healing opportunities while working alongside horses on the ground. Activities such as grooming, observing and sharing space with animals are especially beneficial for those wanting to improve their mental health whether it is to practice self-regulation, manage anxiety, or feel safe after experiencing trauma.
what is Equine and Animal Assisted Wellness?
At Empowered By Horses & Friends our wellness professionals are trauma-informed and have a strong foundation in ethics, choice and consent. With the intention of creating safety for both the client and animal partner, our practitioners work towards helping clients learn to balance and regulate their nervous system.
Working within their scope of practice, our wellness professionals work with the need that presents itself. Their work helps the client feel more grounded and balanced, and more capable of managing and reducing their own symptoms. We have found that the best form of healing and growth arises when there is a healthy relationship and attunement between the client, practitioner and animal partner.
will I see quick results?
Everyone is unique in how they heal and learn to manage their mental health and wellness. There is no one path or one technique that works for everybody. With our client centered approach the healing may seem so subtle at first as to appear almost non-existent while, other times, there are WOW encounters. EBH&F team members strive to create an environment where every session is healing. At Anam Cara, seeds are planted, and whether it takes a day or a year, our clients benefit.
what if I am afraid of horses or other animals?
This is a great question because many of us grow up with things we are scared of. One of the great advantages of EBH&F is that it lies on seven acres of rolling meadow and old growth forest. There is lots of space. And more importantly, that space is in nature. Nature heals.
EBH&F practitioners have no expectations that clients work directly with animals. Much can be done therapeutically by just observing horses or sheep from afar; by sitting under an aged maple or listening to the raven and eagle call as they soar far above.
do you only work with people over 16?
EBH&F was founded on the idea to create safe places for young people to learn about themselves and find healing with horses. Over the years our mandate has slowly shifted to include adults and, as a result of changes with our practitioner and their healing modalities, in 2025 we will focus our private sessions exclusively on those over 16. We will still offer groups for children and youth.
is there a wait for services?
EBH&F offers a valued service and, as such, there is a waiting list. The first step is filling out our online form so that we can learn more about you (insert link). Our practitioners have a clear scope of practice that we encourage you to read and, if interested, call to interview. If you are uncertain over who would be the best choice, contact the lead facilitator, Carla Webb, for more clarification. At EBH&F we are dedicated to helping you find the right practitioner.
group programs
what if I have a group that wants to attend a program?
EBH&F have welcomed groups for over fifteen years and have an excellent reputation working with a variety of agencies from hospices to schools to corporate directors. We are experts at creating unique programs based on the needs of each group whether that be working with the grief process or team building.
We can accommodate groups up to 12 participants and always ensure safety with a commensurate number of facilitators to support the process.
do you have any groups for adults?
EBH&F offer groups for all ages. Some of the more popular groups for adults include: Corporate Team Building; Dealing with Workplace Trauma; How to Provide Care and Compassion without Burning Out; and we also offer trauma healing groups to Public Safety Personal and Veterans.
All groups are custom tailored to your needs but to give an example of how they might work, a Corporate Retreat would have participants work in partnership with the animals to observe herd dynamics. Serving as a metaphor for their own workplace, participants are encouraged to see themselves on the field and start a discussion about that representation. Participants might also want to try on different roles including leadership, organizer and follower as the group works directly with the animals. All groups include discussion and fun activities. We invite honest and open-hearted communication that heals rather than divides.
what if I want my child/youth to join a group?
Most of our children and youth groups come from outside agencies but we are always open to developing a group from the ground up. If you have a group program with specific goals give us a call. In the past we have organized a weekly girls group to work through topics such as grief and loss, addiction and self care.