Students in the Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certificate Program receive comprehensive education, training, and supervision in order to ethically include equine interactions and the equine environment in their psychotherapy practice.

Three main areas of learning are emphasized throughout the program:

• Theory, Ethics, Research, and Knowledge of Professional Area
• Delivering Treatment and Considerations for Practice
• Equine-Related Competencies
  

Students completing the Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certificate Program will:

• Develop a thorough understanding of the inclusion of equine interactions in psychotherapy: appropriate conceptualization of the professional area, ethical and legal considerations, research, associations and national bodies

• Learn how to provide ethical and effective services, which includes treatment planning, facilitation skill, and integrating equine interactions into existing clinical approaches.

• Develop sound business practices, including risk management, facility considerations, contracting, documentation, and choosing an appropriate business model

• Examine current horse handling and interaction practices critically from equine welfare and equitation science perspectives, and implement equine interactions based on welfare-enhancing strategies

• Develop skills in order to select and prepare horses for inclusion in psychotherapy and conduct continuous behavioral assessments