Equine Connections

Equine Therapy

Equine-facilitated psychotherapy is a promising approach to address self-esteem, depression, and other emotional or psychological problems.

The following organizations provide some form of equine therapy in various regions of the country. We encourage you to visit their individual websites to find out more information, their location(s), and description of their programs and costs.
Badge of Life Canada does not endorse any specific facility and has not visited any of them. Please use your own discretion.

H.E.L.P

National

Heroes – Equine – Learning – Program

H.E.L.P. is for service members of the military, police, fire, corrections, EMS, and 911 dispatchers and their partners/support persons and families who are affected by post-traumatic stress and operational stress injuries.

The program is focused on providing the highest standard of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for participants. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in mind-body movement modalities and to reflect and recharge during free time. The program activities and facilities are located in a country setting and create an ideal environment in which to lower stress, renew hope, and regain a sense of meaning and belonging.

Can Praxis

Blackfalds, AB

Can Praxis is the leading

Can Praxis EAL is a Canadian registered charity, and we provide mental health recovery programs for Canadian Veterans and First Responders (serving and retired) living with an Operational Stress Injury (OSI), such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

We incorporate equine therapy into our programs because horses understand us and can teach us about ourselves. Horses are experts at reading body language and pick up on all the non-verbal cues we bring to an interaction.

Founded in 2013 by a Canadian Military Veteran and a Trauma-focused clinician, Can Praxis is the leading Equine-Assisted Therapy provider for the Veteran and First Responder communities.

Healing with Horses

Western Canada

OSI-CAN is an Operational Stress Injury/Post Traumatic Stress Support Initiative.

OSI-CAN has now expanded into covering four provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia!

​OSI-CAN offers Peer Support Groups (facilitated by members with lived experience), Family Support Groups, assistance with service dog acquisition and equine therapy programs. Our support groups provide a free, safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment where we can talk openly about mental health. To get help from OSI-CAN, no formal diagnosis or referral is required!

Leading Edge Equine Academy

Woodstock, ON

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, EAPT, or Equine Assisted Counselling is a form of therapy in which horses join with people to help them journey down the healing path. Through gentle guidance the counsellors and facilitators help clients understand and connect with their emotions to gain insights into long standing patterns in their lives, experienced trauma and negative core beliefs.

Only by becoming truly connected and authentic within ourselves will a horse find complete trust, respect, connection and alignment with a human.

New Horserizons

Brentwood, ON

Equine Assisted Learning is an experiential approach to teaching life skills using horses.

Equine Assisted Learning is for anyone who can benefit from strengthening their interpersonal skills, building confidence and relating more effectively with others. Whether you want to develop different communication methods, better listening skills and better teamwork abilities or simply cope with every day life and communicating with your family, EAL might be right for you.

Charmed Stables

Enterprise, ON

We are so excited to offer both a PTSD Therapy Group Program, and a PTSD Peer Support and Discussion Group Program for all First Responders and Front-Line Workers. These Programs are specifically geared to those suffering with symptoms causing PTSD, and will be suitable for those who may have already been diagnosed with PTSD, and for those who may have symptoms and have not been diagnosed.

The Stable Grounds

Rodney, ON

At The Stable Grounds Inc., we offer a unique range of therapeutic options for first responders and public safety personnel who are suffering from post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and more. The Stable Grounds Inc. is an industry leader in providing therapy programs specifically for first responders and public safety personnel.

Our interdisciplinary team is always working to make our treatment programs productive. We operate in a collaborative global market with other healthcare professionals, which opens our doors to new ways to effectively take care of our guests.

Prance

Saugeen Shores, ON

PRANCE is a therapeutic equestrian program dedicated to the growth and development of individuals with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities through experiences with our equine team.

Horse-back riding has long been recognized as a therapeutic treatment with many physical, cognitive and social benefits. Our cart-driving program offers those unable to get on horse-back the opportunity to be with a member of our equine team and learn a new skill.

Our Equine Facilitated Wellness program assists those with emotional, grief, anxiety, stress and special issues to learn coping strategies and share in activities with our equine team in a specialized program. 

Takoda Equine

Sebringville, ON

Equine assisted therapy & Healing with horses.

Equine assisted therapy and healing with horses. In Equine-Facilitated-Learning (EFL), we invite horses to participate with us, on the ground, in specifically designed activities. Giving a person the opportunity to work one-on-one with a horse can have transformational and life-changing effects. Partnering with a horse allows us to learn about ourselves by getting us in touch with our feelings and emotional states.

Hoof by Hoof

Sundridge, ON

Hoof By Hoof Equine Assisted Learning is located just south of Sundridge, Ontario, and is nestled within the beauty and serenity of the Almaguin Highlands. It offers a range of unique experiential Equine Assisted Learning opportunities for participants of all ages.

Our Equine teachers do not judge, they do not criticize and they do not lie. However, as prey animals, they have an intrinsic awareness and intuitiveness that is utilized to form bonds, connections and effective working partnerships.

Horse Spirit Connections

Tottenham, ON

Horse Spirit Connections is a place of discovery and reflection where adults, youth, and teams learn skills for personal development through equine-assisted therapy. FEEL (Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning)® is a new way of being in a relationship for horses and people. Horse Spirit Connections is the founder of the FEEL approach and has created specially designed programs to benefit people looking to create change in their lives and find fulfillment.

Healing Through Horses

Brookfield, NS

Healing Through Horses offering equine therapy with respect to the treatment areas of PSTD, addictions, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trust, domestic violence.

Janet Tomlinson is a Registered Counselling Therapist in the province of Nova Scotia. She has been a therapist for over 12 years. She is also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Janet recently trained in Equilateral (Equine Assisted EMDR) for trauma.

Blue Tarten Stables

Neebing, ON

Many today are aware with the universal condition called P.T.S.D. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder comes in a variety of forms.

Having been through trauma, one can experience such struggles as flashbacks, insomnia, panic attacks, depression, feelings like you don’t belong, aggression, feeling emotionally numb and often experience feelings of hopelessness.

Commited to helping empower those who struggle with mental health to be able to engage with themselves and others through the healing hearts of horses.

Grit & Gratitude

Dalkeith, ON

Grit & Gratitude is a family owned and operated farm that sits on 65 acres of
unruffled farmland. Conveniently located between Ottawa and Montreal, surrounded
by rolling hills, trees and fresh air, Grit and Gratitude is a special place to be.

We understand that everyone’s journey is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all
solution to personal growth. That’s why we offer customized coaching and support
tailored to your specific needs and goals. Be it individualized sessions or group horsefocused
workshops, we are committed to finding a program that best suits your
needs.

Coming Soon

Certifications

A short description of the various therapist certifications in Ontario.

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Clinical Psychologists

Clinical Psychologists are required to complete a related Masters and Ph.D. program to practice in the province of Ontario that must be research-based and subsequently have a thesis component. They are governed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO).

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Registered Psychotherapists

Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) are registered by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and, like Registered Social Workers and Clinical Psychologists, are permitted to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.

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Registered Social Workers

Registered Social Workers (RSW) are helping individuals to enhance their well-being. They are governed by the Ontario College of Social Workers.