training & mentoring

Anam Cara Farm and Learning Center is the premier place for learning about or expanding your knowledge in Animal Assisted and Equine Facilitated Wellness.
We are widely experienced and extensively trained to provide you the means to fulfill your life passion in this field. Mentoring and coaching sessions can be accessed
in person at the farm or by zoom.

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.

Novice

Who are you?

    • I am interested in learning more about the field of Animal Assisted and Equine Facilitated Wellness. 
    • I have been around horses my whole life and want to explore possibilities of creating a new career.
    • I have seen and heard how valuable it can be for people to work with animals as partners in a wellness capacity. I want to find out if it’s a good fit for me.

    We guide you through the necessary steps on creating a solid plan on how to move into this work
    in a meaningful way. Laying out attainable goals,
    we will:

      • Identify what skills/ strengths you already have 
      • Explore what training or education you will need 
      • Create a pathway step by step to the goal of having your own practice
      • Identify possible challenges and roadblocks
      • Address limiting beliefs
      • Define the animals you are comfortable with and know the best.

    Candidate Pro-EFW

    Who are you?

      • I am in the certification pathway
      • Interested in support to complete requirements 
      • Looking for guidance to begin my own EP/EFLP practice 

    These sessions are designed for those in the certification pathway who need to fulfill their mentorship hours or are looking for more support. Carla Webb, an approved mentor with Pro-EFW, will help you navigate the ins and outs of certification. 

    Candidates in the certification pathway. Carla can support you with:

      • Navigating the required documents and videos for certification
      • Completing required horsemanship skills
      • Session planning and evaluations 
      • Scope of practice 
      • Business development
      • Program development 
      • Heart centered horsemanship (consent, choice, ethics and safety)

    Experienced Professional

    Who are you?

      • I am interested in professional development sessions
      • I want to hone specific skills 
      • I want to expand my area of expertise 
      • I am interested in expanding my client base
      • I need to understand current research in this field

    With over 15 years working full-time facilitating children and youth as well as group programs. Carla Webb comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in doing the work full-time as well as continuing her own education and growth as a facilitator and business owner. She is passionate about supporting others in growing their own skills and bringing a lens of ethics, safety and mutual benefit for all. 

    She is delighted to mentor you in:

      • Equine and other farm animal ethology (chickens, sheep, pigs)
      • Refining group facilitation skills and exploring new pathways, 
      • Developing amazing group programs
      • Session planning
      • Choosing activities that are meaningful and therapeutically aligned
      • Trauma-informed practices and integration
        of somatic work
      • How to partner with animals other than horses 
      • Client and animal safety protocols and agreements
      • Staying in integrity and within your scope
        of practice.
      • Horsemanship skills in the context of Equine Facilitated Wellness
      • Expanding and growing your business 
      • Identifying the group of people you want
        to work with
      • Marketing 

      heart centered horsemanship - private sessions

      Experience the unique insights and personalized guidance of Carla Webb through five focused, hands-on or zoom consultations. Each one-hour session is designed to deepen your understanding and broaden your equine skills in your chosen path

      foundations of heart centered horsemanship

      This four week (six-hour) live online course transforms your knowledge of traditional equine teachings to a more empathetic perspective of horses that will start you on the path of utilizing your equine skills in a therapeutic setting.

      heart centered horsemanship in professional practice

      Enhance your professional practice in this two-day hands-on program. Explore consent and choice as it applies to your horse partner, deepen your knowledge of equine ethology, and innovate your facilitation skills.

      heart centered animal assisted practices certificate training program

      With a strong focus on animal/human well-being this competency-based curriculum provides you with the necessary skills and experience to incorporate animals into your professional career or elevate you to the next level in your new or existing animal-assisted practice.

      re-treat yourself

      Discover two full days of immersing yourself into the therapeutic power of nature and animals. Join us for a transformative experience that blends personal growth with professional exploration.

      Internship Intensive:* Position Available

      You are interested in the field of Animal Assisted and Equine Facilitated Wellness and/or are looking to deepen your understanding of this work. The focus of an internship is on developing skills based on your learning objectives. 

      Learning objectives may include:

        • animal psychology
        • ethology (including specific behaviors unique to the species you work with)
        • choice, consent and ethical considerations when partnering with animals
        • general animal guardianship
        • positive training methods
        • humane practice
        • heart centered leadership
        • group and individual facilitation
        • trauma informed mindfulness

      The learning is a blend of assignments including one-on-one work with animals, selected readings and discussion.  A total of 5 hours/day for 5 days includes 8 one-on-one hours with Carla and 17 hours of activities in the AA field including animal care and connection, readings, journalling and discussion. Interns live on-site in a cozy travel trailer. You have the option of joining us for dinner that you help prepare ($40 extra per day) or be self-sufficient. The fee per week is $1500.00 plus GST (including lodging).

      * The Internship Intensive is also suitable for those looking to do a practicum for their life coaching or other professional program where inclusion of animal partnerships is the intention. Contact Carla Webb to apply carla@empoweredbyhorses.com