As one of our lovely graduates, Tash Whitfield, shared:
“There are a myriad of ways in which the training through EATA can be deployed – it doesn’t all have to be NDIS or private clients in the paddock or one-on-one sessions.”
Equine-assisted mental health continues to gain recognition for the many ways it can support individuals, groups and communities.
Many of our graduates go on to establish their own private practices.
EATA Graduates are working across a wide range of settings, including:
- Supporting neurodivergent individuals
- Working with survivors of domestic and family violence
- Facilitating programs for emergency service responders and veterans
- Supporting individuals navigating trauma and other mental health challenges
EATA-trained practitioners often collaborate with organisations such as Veterans Connect and Soldier On to deliver day programs for veterans.
Many have also accessed government funding to run equine-assisted mental health programs for domestic violence survivors, youth groups and individuals struggling with their mental health.
Others have created programs aimed at supporting young people by encouraging connection with horses and nature to reduce screen time.
One of our graduates works with teenagers, and incorporates equine-assisted therapy as an early intervention to support anxiety before it develops into more complex mental health concerns.
Last year, there was a thoughtful collaboration between EATA practitioners, who facilitated group equine-assisted therapy sessions for participants of the Kids Foundation Camp Tango.
There are many pathways equine-assisted mental health can take, with the work of practitioners often evolving alongside the needs of the community, and their own individual passions.
If graduates don’t have access to a property or horses, there are still a number of ways to begin working in this space.
Some choose to lease suitable horses, while others connect with organisations such as Riding for the Disabled Associations (RDA), which are often open to collaboration.
Graduates may also work alongside established practitioners, gaining experience through assisting, co-facilitating sessions and receiving mentorship before stepping into their own client work.
We will continue to share more of the work our graduates go on to do throughout the year.
It is also reassuring to know that equine-assisted therapy has moved away from a niche alternative treatment to a mainstream therapeutic intervention across Australia.