When people stopped by to admire the horses on Laurie Fry’s agistment property they would often ask the same question – did she offer equine-assisted therapy?
Laurie said she initially didn’t know much about equine-assisted therapy, but the more she was asked about it, the more her curiosity grew.
She started to do some research and became increasingly intrigued by the role of horses in the therapy space.
To understand more, she decided to book an equine-assisted therapy session with EATA practitioner Chris Swan.
“I had my notebook with me with and lots of questions to ask – I’m sure it was not what Chris was expecting.
I did some more research and decided that EATA was the way to go for me.
I liked the fact that after completing the course I came out with a tangible, recognisable qualification – Diploma of Counselling and Equine Assisted Mental Health – not just a weekend course incorporating horses with no knowledge on how to safely support your clients or horses.
I wanted more than a ‘Pat a Pony’ certificate.”
Training with EATA
In May 2022, Laurie took the leap and enrolled in EATA’s Counselling course, specialising in equine-assisted mental health.
The study commitment was a challenge at times.
As an adult student, Laurie was raising two teenagers, managing horse agistment and doing administration work for her family’s insulation business.
The constant juggle caused her to fall behind with her studies at times.
But, with the support of her cohort and the EATA team, she managed to keep ‘chipping away’ at the assignments.
The face-to-face workshops were also an ‘invaluable’ learning opportunity, which created lifelong friendships within the cohort, she said.
“I loved the workshops, some days you would leave feeling a little raw, but that is where the growth is.
Being able to hone your skills with real life sessions (not made-up scenarios) with everything our nervous system brings, with the support of the horses, Chris, Jane and Sophie, is priceless.
A few of us would share an Airbnb when we had our workshops -this cemented our friendships.
Staying close to the training venue enabled us to stay in the ‘bubble’ and focus on the process and not be so distracted by what was going on at home.”
Students were also expected to see a counsellor throughout the course so they could work on their own activators.
Laurie said she found it a little confronting to unpack her own life, especially as she had never seen a counsellor before.
But she soon began to love the process and ended up doing a lot more than the proposed 10 sessions.
It also helped with her aversion to filling out forms too.
“Now I don’t judge myself so harshly, I acknowledge that it is a part of me and work through it, not just throw my hands up in the air in frustration.”
Throughout her training, the highlights continued to outweigh the challenges.
During Mental Health Week in October 2023, Laurie joined the EATA team and travelled to Chinchilla with two of her horses.
The EATA team offered equine-assisted therapy sessions to the local community and raised funds for Animal Therapies Ltd.
This connection to community still holds a special place in her heart.
The growth within herself throughout the course was also huge, she said.
“From the nervous group we were, meeting each other on the first day of the course, to the culmination of putting together and presenting a cohesive full Day Retreat that the public attended was exhilarating and empowering – even if it was a little nerve wracking at the time.”
Laurie graduated in May 2024, a little later than the rest of her cohort, due to life’s curveballs.
Her cohort cheered her on until she submitted her last assignment and she couldn’t be more thankful for their support.
“I feel you come away from the EATA course with a qualification, a better knowledge of yourself, a connection to a fabulous group of supportive practitioners and lifelong friends.”
Life as an Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner
Laurie is now busy running her business Embrace Counselling Services in Waterford West, south of Brisbane.
She supports children, teenagers and adults.
She continues to build her client base by attending business networking meetings, community events and offering free morning teas, as a way of giving something back to the community.
She also takes on people looking for work experience with animals, who are supported by their NDIS support workers.
Laurie also plans to branch out into more group-based programs for kids to offer support, and a soft grounded place to land as they navigate teenage-hood.
She will also introduce ‘Picnics @ the Paddock’ for retirement villages and aged-care facilities.
Picnics @ the Paddack will provide residents with a gentle opportunity to spend a few hours in nature, while connecting with the therapy herd and other animals.
Laurie also hopes to visit nursing homes with her beautiful horses, to give residents, who can’t travel, the chance to experience the joy, comfort and connection they bring.
Within Laurie’s diverse herd is a retired thoroughbred Vermie, a bush bred buckskin pony Dakota, two beautiful, retired Clydesdale and Friesian crosses Gregory and Percy (from Outback Spectacular) and a Shetland pony called Custard.
The Reward
Laurie said that being surrounded by her horses each day on her little farm is something she’s endlessly grateful for.
Stepping into equine-assisted therapy has given her the chance to share that joy and connection with others, and it’s an opportunity she never wants to take for granted.
Being able to witness the small shifts and the “aha” moments has been the most rewarding part of her newfound profession so far.
“If I can share what I have with others and change their life, even just a little, add a sparkle, a glimmer to their day, to see a smile where there was once none, that is what makes it all worthwhile.”
