HorseAccord

21/04/2026

Parental alienation can have a profound impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing.

When a child is caught in the middle of conflict and begins to feel disconnected from one parent, it can lead to:
• anxiety and confusion
• loss of trust and security
• difficulty forming healthy relationships
• long-term impacts on identity and self-worth

Children in these situations often carry complex emotions they don’t yet have the words to express.

Animal-assisted services can offer a gentle and supportive pathway forward.

Through connection with animals, children can:
• experience safe, non-judgmental relationships
• rebuild trust at their own pace
• regulate emotions and reduce stress
• express feelings through interaction, play, and presence

Animals don’t take sides. They provide consistency, calm, and connection—something many children in high-conflict situations deeply need.

At Animal Therapies Ltd, we see the powerful role that animal-assisted approaches can play in supporting children navigating complex family dynamics.

If you’re a practitioner, parent, or organisation working in this space, we invite you to learn more about how these approaches can complement therapeutic support.

14/04/2026

Equine-assisted therapy offers an alternative pathway… 🎠

Box breathing is one of the most commonly taught techniques for managing stress and anxiety. It’s simple, structured, and for many people—it works.

But it’s important to recognise: not every tool works for every nervous system.

Box breathing is often used in high-performance environments, including military training, where soldiers are taught to regulate their breathing to maintain focus during high-pressure situations such as live fire or combat scenarios. While this can be incredibly effective in the moment, the body can also form strong associations between that breathing pattern and intense, life-threatening experiences.

For some veterans or individuals with lived trauma, returning to a structured breathing pattern like box breathing can unintentionally activate the nervous system rather than calm it. Instead of feeling grounded, they may feel heightened, triggered, or transported back to moments of danger.

This is why having a range of regulation tools matters.

Equine-assisted therapy offers an alternative pathway—one that doesn’t rely solely on internal techniques like breath control. Horses respond to what is happening in your body, not what you are trying to “make happen.” They invite you into regulation through presence, body awareness, and connection.

Rather than focusing on controlling the breath, individuals can:
• Notice their body in space
• Adjust posture and tension
• Slow down naturally through interaction
• Experience co-regulation with a calm, responsive animal

Horses provide immediate, honest feedback. When your nervous system settles, they settle. When you are dysregulated, they show you—without judgment.

For those who find traditional techniques confronting or ineffective, this kind of experiential, relational approach can feel safer, more accessible, and deeply impactful.

Because regulation isn’t one-size-fits-all—and sometimes, healing happens through connection, not control.

12/04/2026

With horses, learning emotional regulation goes beyond theory…

When stress rises or anxiety takes over, many of us are taught strategies like mindful breathing, grounding through observation, or tuning into the sounds around us. These tools are powerful—but what happens when we take them out of theory and into real, embodied experience?

This is where horses offer something truly unique.

Horses are highly sensitive, attuned animals. As prey animals, their survival depends on reading subtle changes in their environment—including human body language, energy, and emotional state. They don’t respond to words or intentions alone—they respond to what is actually happening within you.

If you approach a horse feeling anxious, distracted, or dysregulated, they will often mirror that back by becoming unsettled, disengaged, or simply choosing not to connect. Not because they are being difficult—but because they are responding honestly to incongruence.

However, when you slow your breathing, become present, and regulate your nervous system, something shifts. The horse begins to soften, engage, and connect. This immediate, non-judgmental feedback creates a powerful learning moment:

✨ You can feel the impact of regulation, not just think about it
✨ You learn that calmness is something you can actively create
✨ You build awareness of how your internal state affects the world around you

Experiential learning with horses bridges the gap between knowing and doing. It transforms coping strategies like breathing and grounding into lived experiences—helping people build emotional regulation skills that are authentic, embodied, and lasting.

Because with horses, you can’t fake calm—you have to become it.

02/04/2026

💙 World Autism Day 2026

Today on World Autism Day we join a global movement to move beyond awareness and towards understanding, acceptance and genuine inclusion.

World Autism Day highlights the importance of creating neuroinclusive environments across education, workplaces, healthcare and our wider communities.

Globally, 1 in 127 people are diagnosed with autism, a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication and behaviour.

🐴 Equine-assisted mental health offers a unique and evidence-informed approach to support many autistic individuals.

Research in this area continues to grow, with promising results.

📊 A 2024 study of 86 children found significant improvements in adaptive behaviour, including daily living skills, following an eight month equine-assisted therapy program.
📊 9 out of the 11 studies that assessed social communication outcomes, reported improvements in communication following equine interventions
📊 Across multiple reviews, equine-assisted therapy shows consistent gains in emotional regulation, engagement and social interaction.

🌿 It is often said that neurodivergent individuals respond well to horses - but why?

Horses communicate extensively through sensory awareness and heightened sensitivity. They rely on a sophisticated system of sensory input to interact with other horses.

Their communication is based on body language, attunement and subtle sensory cues.

For many neurodivergent individuals, this can create a more accessible, non-pressured way to connect, without the demands of language or complex social expectations.

Many autistic individuals can find a sense of connection in the horse’s natural sensitivity to its environment and feel seen and responded to in a different, often more comfortable, way.

🌿As mental health practitioners we continue to learn and evolve in how we support neurodivergent individuals.

We focus on neuro-affirming practice, supporting autonomy and choice and educating ourselves on how other people process the world around them.

At a very basic level it is helpful to view neurodiverse individuals as simply having a different brain type rather than a disorder.

Today is a reminder to keep learning and creating spaces where all individuals can feel seen, supported and included 💫

30/03/2026

Experience healing through our equine-assisted therapy sessions supporting you with professional care for trauma, life changes, mental health and unhelpful behavioral patterns. We offer a nature-based setting with horses and video or tele-health sessions.

And for those wondering…. yes, equine-assisted therapy is still an approved NDIS support when provided by an allied health professional as a ‘Therapeutic service.’ 🎠

29/03/2026

Horses have a unique ability to connect with people in ways that can support emotional, social, and physical wellbeing.

In animal-assisted services, horses alongside animal-assisted practitioners help individuals develop confidence, regulate emotions, improve communication, and build trust. Their sensitivity to human behaviour provides immediate, honest feedback—creating powerful opportunities for growth, healing, and self-awareness.

Whether supporting mental health, trauma recovery, skills or personal development, equine-assisted approaches offer a meaningful, evidence-informed pathway to positive outcomes.

Interested in learning more about the science behind this work? Join our virtual forum session in May to hear from Dr Janet Jones, who will explore how horses think, learn, and interact with humans. You can register to attend here:
https://animaltherapies.vfairs.com/

16/03/2026

Horses as supports in therapy offer non-judgmental companionship and consistent responses, which can make interactions feel safer and less stressful for some autistic people.

🌿Many autistic people are strongly drawn to animals

In a webinar presented to the US-based Autism Research Institute, Dr. Gray Atherton, PhD, suggests that autistic individuals often prefer interacting with animals rather than people.

For autistic individuals animals may feel easier to relate to because they communicate more directly through behaviour rather than complex social cues.

Studies have found that autistic individuals who own pets often report better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and strong attachment to their animals.

Research with children shows that having a pet or interacting with animals can increase social behaviours and engagement. For example, children with autism sometimes show more social interaction after playing with an animal compared with a toy.

Animals offer non-judgmental companionship and consistent responses, which can make interactions feel safer and less stressful for some autistic people.

The Biophilia Theory hypothesis humans have an innate, genetically based need to connect with nature and other forms of life.

This biological inclination suggests that affiliation with nature is essential for human psychological and physical well-being, fostering reduced stress and increased cognitive function.

16/03/2026

Just in case you missed 60 Minutes:
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I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE FACEBOOK META MY PERMISSION TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA.
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24/02/2026

Great to see new research confirming what we already know, strengthening the evidence base 🎠

New research highlights the healing potential of equine-assisted services for children’s mental health

A recent peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Social Work Practice explores how equine-assisted services can support children experiencing trauma, anxiety and emotional challenges.

Key insights from the research:

Children often feel safer and more connected in natural, horse-inclusive environments than in traditional clinical settings.

Horses’ sensitivity to human emotion can support trust-building and emotional regulation.

Practitioners observed increased openness, communication and readiness for therapeutic engagement.

Children demonstrated improvements in confidence, resilience, and sense of self.

Importantly, the research also highlights the need for:

Strong ethical frameworks and professional standards such as the ATL Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

Sustainable funding pathways are important which is why ATL works hard at raising funds for our Mental Health Outreach and Pathways Program

Continued high-quality research to strengthen the evidence base

At Animal Therapies Ltd, we advocate for evidence-informed, ethical, and accessible animal-assisted services across Australia.

When delivered by appropriately qualified and insured practitioners, equine-assisted services can form a meaningful part of holistic mental health support. You can read more here:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02650533.2025.2495741?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQBoixleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeF9-wVnfVJor_w4tMiukYndHf0MnrRZoNoPXdIp3jxBhgeiCRNA_iUhWMutA_aem_YRA63jIFyhNt7DRBB79elw

03/02/2025

As we journey down the road into our 9th year of providing Equine Assisted services, we thought it timely to reach out with all the confusion around NDIS funded supports since the changes in Oct 2024. Yes we are still here providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy as usual 🎠

Equine Assisted Therapy has always been and still is an NDIS ‘Therapeutic Support’ when provided by a “qualified allied health professional” i.e. psychotherapist, counsellor, psychologist, OT. It’s important to understand the terminology NDIS is now using to clearly define this therapeutic approach - in particular the word “Assisted”. Equine Assisted Therapy comes under the banner of Animal Assisted Therapy. This is important for participants to know when interacting with NDIS, particularly during Plan Reviews and the like. Unfortunately, people have been providing “Equine Therapy” and charging for “therapeutic services” when they are not qualified to do so, which can be detrimental to participants. The years of training and ongoing professional development and supervision it takes to be a registered Psychotherapist and Counsellor is for a reason - no different to a doctor or other health professional. To provide evidence-based effective services.

The below excerpt was copied from the Frequently Asked Questions on the NDIS website today:

***************
Animal-assisted therapy can be an NDIS support - therapeutic support

Animal-assisted therapy is not the same as ‘animal therapy’. Animal-assisted therapists may use an animal to play a role in a goal-directed, structured intervention which will assist the therapist and the participant to engage in therapy.

Animals can be used as therapy tools, just like a board game, Lego, or a swing could also be used as a tool in a therapy session.

For example, a psychologist or counsellor may use an animal in therapy sessions to assist a participant to calm, focus or regulate whilst the counselling/psychology session is undertaken.

An occupational therapist may use an animal in therapy sessions to assist a participant to participate in an activity such as walking, standing, balancing etc. In these interventions, the animal may be used by the therapist to help the client meet specific goals but the therapy is delivered to the participant by the allied health professional, with the animal used to support participation.

Animal therapy is not an NDIS support.

Activities which are provided for people to have a positive experience with an animal such as engaging with puppies or riding a horse might be called ‘animal therapy’ by the provider of the service.

Recreational, sporting or social activities involving animals could also be called animal therapy.

These activities are not animal-assisted therapeutic interventions and are not NDIS Supports, even if the provider of the service is an allied health professional.

What about supports to participate in social and recreational opportunities that include animals?

The NDIA and NDIS acknowledges that NDIS participants may engage in programs that include animals to provide sporting, social and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities, and capacity building support.

This may include for example, participation in horse riding.

If NDIS participants need extra help to participate in horse riding activities because of their disability, the extra help can be funded in their plan.

This extra help could be a support worker or assistive products that help the participant engage in the activity when it is happening.

Participants might also use their therapy supports budget to work with a therapist to build their skills to do the sporting, social or recreational activity more independently in the future.

NDIS participants will still need to pay for the general costs of their sporting, social or recreational activities as these are costs that everyone must pay for these kinds of activities.

For example, everyone who wants an activity delivered to them has to pay for that activity themselves whether or not they have a disability.

This is the same whether the activity includes an animal or not. Participants cannot use their NDIS funding to pay for the costs of other sporting, recreational or social activities like surfing lessons, basketball, art classes or gaming.

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We hope this is helpful information and look forward to another year of providing a quality service to our valued clients, with the support of these truly amazing sentient beings called horses 🎠

11/10/2023

Fantastic 🎠

Therapy dog Poppy has become the first pooch to be sworn into the federal Family Court to offer comfort and support to families navigating the legal system.

Poppy began her first shift as a court facility dog on Wednesday and will work full-time with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
As part of the court dog program, she will assist litigants and children who are involved in the courts' Melbourne registry.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/victorian-federal-circuit-and-family-court-therapy-dog-poppy-sworn-in-as-court-therapy-pooch/7dce9a66-d500-4eea-b2a6-f0262f795827?ocid=Social-9NewsM&fbclid=IwAR1rsxnXe5Uw2QsPSLeLde0-G-2C9xdy9C-eS0ehylVitjPyxdGBxkEQ8mc

17/07/2023

🎠

“Change and transition are not meant to be easy. With every shift you make in your life, whether it's a relationship ending, a job change or city change, a friendship ending, new identities emerging, or loss, you will inevitably experience both grief and expansion.

That's the thing about transitions. You will lose something, but if your eyes and heart are open, you will grow. Even through the hard stuff. You will grieve and you will grow. Make sure you hold space for both.”

~ Vienna Pharaon

Image by Glen Carrie, Unsplash