Below you will find three streams: Novice, Candidate (with Pro-EFW) and Experienced Professional. Novices have extensive experience with horses or other animals and are interested in choosing a career path in the field of Animal Assisted or Equine Facilitated Wellness. Candidates are already on the certification path to be an Equine Professional and/or an Equine Facilitated Learning Professional. Experienced Professionals are already working in the field but want to learn more.

Empowered By Horses and Friends has a rich history in creating meaningful and impactful programs and workshops. We have a wealth of knowledge and thrive on being able to pull together elements in our skillset to custom create a program right for you and your group. We also have specific programming designed to fill the gaps in our local community services. Although diverse in offerings all our programs have, as a foundation, a trauma-informed lens, and a belief that all beings, two-legged or four, winged or land-based, are sentient beings with a right to choice, consent and safety. Because we believe that every interaction between humans and animals is one of mutual respect, our groups are impactful and meaningful. Participants feel heard and valued and come away with tools to support their lives whether it be in the corporate setting or school, hospice or recovery home.

Our current programs include:

• • Care for the Caregiver
  • From Grief to Grace 

Custom programs: 

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. 

Upcoming programs in development 

• • Heart Centered Leadership Academy: an interactive action oriented group interested in Humane Education – the intersection of animal protection, human rights and environment sustainability

Animal Assisted and Equine Facilitated Learning and Wellness (AA/EFLW) is an approach to mental health and wellness that emphasizes the body-mind connection. It promotes self awareness, social and communication skills. and provides tools for coping with personal challenges and problem solving.

AA/EFLW is a three-way partnership between the client, animal partner/nature, and the facilitator. Animals are experts at helping us see ourselves. They do so by responding to us in a way that can show us what is happening in our inner world. This is not a mirror effect but rather an innate survival mechanism of the animal. In other words, animals that are often hunted (at least in a non-domesticated setting) need to know the intent of the animal (us) that hunts them. This intent is often unconscious to us but very real to the animal regardless of whether they are in actual danger. 

With gentle guidance from the facilitator, clients become more aware of their environment, both inner and outer. The client explores the subtle changes in the animal that they are interacting with while also noticing what is happening inside their own body. For example, is the client ignoring what they are feeling or distracting themselves? What happens when the client takes a deep breath or tenses their body? 

Increasing awareness of what is around us, invites a gentle somatic-focused recovery from life stressors and past trauma. This is not psychotherapy but a gentle coming to awareness of how we are really feeling. With safety and insight we discover choice. And with choice our life opens up to be who we want to be.

This somatic approach allows us to create positive resources to integrate into our daily life. 

Grounded in trauma-informed research, AA/EFW successfully supports and empowers clients to learn more about themselves. Whether this is a path of recovery from trauma or learning to manage a wide range of challenges including anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD and self-esteem issues.

What does a typical session look like?

All of our sessions take place in nature―the ultimate teacher and compassionate listener―and each session is unique depending on the needs of the client. Although we are specialists in Animal Assisted and Equine Facilitated Wellness, sometimes what is needed or desired is a walk through the field or spending time beneath the Grandfather tree. However the hour is spent, all sessions are gentle avenues for self-exploration in a safe, stress-free and life affirming environment.

At Anam Cara, we believe that each individual no matter what age, has inherent wisdom that works towards healing. By encouraging autonomy, and safely empowering clients to explore their inner worlds and comfort zones, healing happens.