Eltham Valley Equine Assisted Therapy

21/02/2026

So true…

We’ve been taught to “regulate our nervous system” as if the work is to control ourselves however our bodies are not problems to fix. They are responding to context, history and relationship. What looks like dysregulation is often wisdom shaped by experience. In our Culturally Informed Trauma Intergated Healing Approach (CITIHA) we shift the frame from regulation to relationship. Instead of asking someone to calm themselves, we ask:

What would help your body feel safe?

What support or connection is needed?

What environment will allow settling?

The nervous system steadies in safety, it softens in connection, it settles when it is met. Healing is not self-management...it is relational.

21/01/2026

03/01/2026

31/12/2025

Wow what a year it’s been! Full of fun, connection, challenges, growth & so much more. I feel so privileged for the trust that participants, parents & carers have in me in providing sessions for themselves & their young people. Thank you to all those who help care for our animals at EVE, most of whom have been with us from the beginning. ❤️ Happy New Year ❤️🐴
Danielle & the team at EVE

31/12/2025

Fun session in the paddock with Mother & Son. Riccardo the donkey decided to pick up the hula hoop with his teeth at the end of this activity.

24/12/2025

Lovely end of year session for this young person having her parents join her in the paddock to share all she has learnt this year. Ending the session with a walk around on Jilly. 🐴💕🎄

05/12/2025

Last hoof trim before Christmas for our barefoot friends. Thanks Marika! Hooves looking good with the dry weather. Look at those cute little donkey hooves!

28/11/2025

Love this drawing from one of today’s sessions!❤️🐴

17/11/2025

Those who attend sessions at Eltham Valley Equine know we always do outbreaths before entering the paddock (& often during a session). Kids love the "pony breaths" during session. Love this description of outbreaths by We Al-li.

Most people say “take a deep breath in”…
But when we’re scared, we already do that.
Fear pulls the breath up and in,
we gasp, we hold, we brace.
The body prepares for impact.

It’s the slow breath out that tells the nervous system the danger has passed.

A long exhale lowers the heart rate.
It presses gently on the vagus nerve.
It whispers upward to the brain....
You can settle now.

This is why sighing feels like relief.
Why singing, humming, smoking ceremony, wind on Country and ocean breathing calm the whole body,
they all stretch the out-breath.

So today, try this small shift:

In softly.
Out longer.
Let the breath fall out of you like water leaving the shore.

The body remembers safety through the exhale.

11/11/2025

Thanks to RASIGS Rugby & Animal Therapies Ltd for supporting Veterans and First Responders with this funding initiative. Applying is simple, follow the link below.

07/11/2025

The best smell ever!💕🐴

For all those horse lovers out there!
NB: this post does not imply that the smell of a horse would replace aromatherapy.

26/10/2025

Loved being part of this workshop. Big thanks to Sue, Mauro & the group for a wonderful day! 🌿

What a fabulous time at the Outdoor Health Australia (OHA) Forum on beautiful Bundjalung Country!
One of many highlights was the wonderful group of nature-based therapists we worked alongside during our pre-forum workshop, “The Nature of Group Therapy.”
The workshop set a warm and reflective tone for the days that followed — filled with learning, meaningful connection, deep reflection, and of course, plenty of fun!