Equine therapy counselling, training, children's books, parenting resources & personal growth We have been working in the field for over 25 years!
Healing Hooves is an Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy program, based in Alberta, Canada. We provide trauma informed and attachment based counselling services within a natural setting with the option of incorporating horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, ducks and chickens into sessions. We have a team of four (two legged!) counsellors all of whom are professionally accredited in the mental health field w
ith additional training in equine and animal facilitated work and trauma informed approached including EMDR. Our animal partners are highly respected members of our team who do this work because they want to and are allowed time off and retirement when they ask for this too! Our services are reimburseable under most health plans. We also provide parent consulting, professional training, mentoring/ supervision, personal growth workshops, therapeutic stories and resources for professionals and caregivers. Trainings are available in Alberta, Nova Scotia, Scotland and online and can lead to internationally recognised certification. For Professionals, when you work with Healing Hooves you join a community of professionals dedicated to a journey of ongoing growth in partnership with animals and nature. We meet you where you are now, honouring the unique experiences and skills – with people and with animals – you already possess, and we share a ‘map’ for applying and growing your experiences and skills within the Equine and Animal Assisted Services and Wellness field. Our approach is insight based and adaptable and is firmly grounded in both the discernments of science, research and professionalism AND in the wisdom of nature and our animals. This often means slowing down, looking deeper and allowing more space – all of which we have learned to do best in the company of our animals! Sue McIntosh MA CCC, founder of Healing Hooves and lead counsellor, is a licensed coach with Equestrian Canada, a Certified Canadian Counsellor and is certified through Pro-EFW as a practitioner, mentor and trainer in Equine Facilitated Wellness. Sue also has additional training and credentials in Animal Assisted Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy and Therapeutic riding. Sue has also worked closely with Gordon Neufeld for close to 20 years and is certified by the Neufeld Institute as a practitioner and facilitator.
07/23/2025
Pretty wet and chilly today for the first day of Foundation training but we managed to stay warm and learn lots!
Frost warning for tonight (!) and then it will hopefully warm up!
Thanks to all my great students for a great first day, see you tomorrow!
07/20/2025
The ponies and I are looking forward to seeing lots of you here next week!
We have a couple spaces still open on the Thursday/ Friday so let me know if you'd like to join!
July 22-23: Foundation training
July 24 - one on one mentoring
July 25 - horsemanship for equine assisted work - with
July 26-27 - Focus training
See you soon!
07/13/2025
I love all the snorting that happens when these guys take themselves through the labyrinth part of our track system!
We explore what this may mean - always considering context and big picture - in our equine neuroscience course!
Join us in Nova Scotia in August or in Scotland in October to find out more! We also have several online options!
07/09/2025
We have a great opportunity - open to all - for anyone who would like to experience equine facilitated work with the Healing Hooves herd and an amazing facilitator!
This is a unique chance to learn about this field of work while also taking care of your own wellness. It may even be reimbursable under your benefits plan!
From Meghan: "Being aware of your personal boundaries and being able to communicate them with others is an important tool for your wellness. We cannot be all things to all people nor do we have infinite amount of time in the day.
Through self-reflection, group discussions, and working with the horses in nature, we will articulate our boundaries in a way that help preserve our energy, peace, and resources so we can be our best selves."
July 21 10am - 4pm at Healing Hooves near Cremona, AB
Cost: $295 (increase on July 15 so register soon!)
Includes: Horses and equipment, workshop materials, coffee, tea and snacks.
For Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness students this also counts towards your certification requirement
07/03/2025
Some curious visitors at Healing Hooves!
Thanks to for the great pics!
07/02/2025
It's that time of year again!
Our amazing Icelandic therapy horse, Disa, has had cushings disease for many years so requires careful management of diet, exercise - and hairdressing! This isn't the prettiest clip (I won't give up the day job!) but I think she feels better!
Caring for our older and special needs four legged partners is a key factor in an equine and animal assisted therapy program. They give us their all and deserve the best back!
06/29/2025
Just three days left for the early bird discount on our workshops in Nova Scotia and Alberta!
July 21 - Personal Growth - with Equines - with Meghan Vornholt Wellness
July 25 - Horsemanship in Equine Assisted Services with Sue Falkner-march
August 21-22 - Equine Assisted Services Workshop in Truro, NS
August 23-24 - Equine Neuroscience in Equine assisted services in Truro, NS
Counts towards internationally recognised and independent certification with Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness and continuing education and professional development credit in several fields.
Led by recognised leaders and certified professionals in the field
Our Equine Neuroscience workshop is coming to Truro, Nova Scotia!
This small group experiential and highly interactive workshop is limited to 12 attendees and likely to fill quickly
In day one you will explore the human and equine nervous systems. This includes both the theory and many practical applications of taking up a relationship with the wisdom in your own body and listening to that of the horse.
In day two you will learn how human and equine brains are both similar and different. This applies to how we experience the world through the senses, and to how we learn, process information, think and feel. You will apply this learning experientially with the horses along with a deeper awareness of equine body language and communication.
Throughout both days you will be invited to apply all of the above to your context with horses, be it trail rider, athlete, equine coach or within Equine Facilitated Wellness.
Cost: Early bird rate $575 plus GST, regular rate $650 plus GST
Includes: All instruction, materials, equipment and horses required for two days onsite plus coffee, tea and snacks. Plus 50% discount on an optional follow up online course with further information, resources and opportunities to access resources and ongoing support.
Meets some of your certification requirements with Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness
Healing Hooves 2025 Training Program – Registration Form Program Details and Description2025 TRAINING DATES, FEES AND EARLY BIRD DEADLINES Program DescriptionTraining NameOnline DatesOnsite DatesHH Early Bird Ratesand DeadlinesStandard ratesEquine NeuroscienceStart anytimeContact usOnline only: $2...
06/11/2025
Join us in Truro, NS for two exciting workshops!
August 21-22: Equine Facilitated Wellness
August 23-24: Equine Neuroscience
Both are small group experiential and highly interactive trainings open to all, facilitated by leaders in the field, and count towards national certification
Equine Neuroscience workshop description:
In day one you will explore the human and equine nervous systems. This includes both the theory and many practical applications of taking up a relationship with the wisdom in your own body and listening to that of the horse.
In day two you will learn how human and equine brains are both similar and different. This applies to how we experience the world through the senses, and to how we learn, process information, think and feel. You will apply this learning experientially with the horses along with a deeper awareness of equine body language and communication.
Throughout both days you will be invited to apply all of the above to your context with horses, be it trail rider, athlete, equine coach or within Equine Facilitated Wellness.
Equine Facilitated Wellness Workshop Description
• Explore how to incorporate equines into human services work safely and ethically
• Practice bringing yourself and your clients to a more regulated state, through and for an equine supported approach
• Explore how to create and work within the triad of the client -equine – facilitator relationship, with the equine recognised and partnered with as a sentient being
• Get hands with the horses, to personally witness and experience the power of this work
• Gain an understanding of different approaches to working, training and certifying in the field and determine which is the best for you
• Explore an attachment and trauma sensitive approach to working in the field
• Share your questions, reflections and learnings within a supportive small group
• Develop a plan for what comes next for you – your mission, vision, scope of practice and next steps
When you train with Healing Hooves and Sue McIntosh you join a community of professionals dedicated to a journey of ongoing growth in partnership with animals and nature. We meet you where you are now, honouring the unique experiences and skills – with people and with animals – you already possess, and we share a ‘map’ for applying and growing your experiences and skills within the Equine and Animal Assisted Services and Wellness field. Our approach is insight based and adaptable and is firmly grounded in both the discernments of science, research and professionalism AND in the wisdom of nature and our animals. This often means slowing down, looking deeper and allowing more space – all of which we have learned to do best in the company of our animals!
Sue McIntosh, MA, CCC has over 40 years of experience with equines and is a licensed coach with Equestrian Canada. She founded Healing Hooves in 1998 and has been working with people and horses as a certified and licensed counsellor, coach, mentor and trainer ever since. Sue has additional training, experience and certification in Animal Assisted Therapy, Equine Facilitated Wellness, attachment, child development, trauma therapies including EMDR, neuroscience applied to equines and counselling, and internal family systems.
You are in safe and experienced hands with Healing Hooves!
Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness
Healing Hooves 2025 Training Program – Registration Form Program Details and Description2025 TRAINING DATES, FEES AND EARLY BIRD DEADLINES Program DescriptionTraining NameOnline DatesOnsite DatesHH Early Bird Ratesand DeadlinesStandard ratesEquine NeuroscienceStart anytimeContact usOnline only: $2...
06/10/2025
The ducklings’ first day in the ‘office’ and they did great!
And a goat selfie from our recent BC trip thrown in for good measure!
AAT is a wonderful way to complement EFW!
06/03/2025
We are so excited to be offering professional training in Equine Facilitated Wellness and Equine Neuroscience in beautiful Nova Scotia for the first time ever this August!
More details coming soon, but here are the highlights:
What and When:
August 21-22: Introduction to Equine Facilitated Wellness Services Workshop: Early bird rate: $575 plus GST
August 23-24: Equine Neuroscience Workshop. Early Bird Rate: $575 plus GST
Wednesday August 20th: Individual mentoring/ consultation spots available. Early bird rate (book by June 30) $160/ hour incl taxes. Can be shared between two people who work together
Both workshops will be experiential in small groups with part of your fee able to be applied towards a follow up online course with Healing Hooves if you choose.
All hours count towards nationally recognised certification in Equine Facilitated Wellness with Pro-EFW
Your Registration Fee Includes: All instruction, materials, equipment and horses required for two days onsite plus coffee, tea and snacks. Plus 50% discount on optional follow up online courses with further information, resources and opportunities to access resources and support.
Location: Near Truro, NS
Workshop rates increase to $650 plus tax on July 1 and subject to availability.
We are keeping these groups small and anticipate they will fill quickly, so contact us to hold your space!
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Healing Hooves Animal Assisted Therapy:
Healing Hooves is an Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy program, and Professional Training centre, based on a tranquil farm in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada.
We offer counselling, parenting support, equine therapy, children's stories and professional training services and resources to families, parents, children, teens and professionals. Our counsellors and trainers are trained in counselling, social work, equine therapy, animal assisted therapy (AAT), Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW), attachment, developmental psychology and trauma therapy, including EMDR. We are associated with a wide range of professional bodies including EFW-Canada, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), the Neufeld Institute, CanTRA and PATH.
Our Professional Training Workshops explore a wide range of approaches to working in the Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy fields and meet all of the training requirements of Equine Facilitated Wellness Canada.
Our Parenting Support sessions and resources are grounded in the approach taught by Dr. Gordon Neufeld of the Neufeld Institute.
Our Counselling Services specialise in working with people with struggles in the areas of anxiety, depression, trauma, parent child conflict, ADHD, attachment struggles and disorders, self esteem struggles, stress, behavioural problems and more.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
We offer nationally recognised training in equine facilitated wellness and animal assisted therapy leading to national certification with Equine Facilitated Wellness-Canada. Check out our Events Page for current training dates and details.
THERAPEUTIC CHILDREN’S STORIES AND OTHER RESOURCES
We have published a number of therapeutic stories for children aged five to twelve. Grounded in attachment theory and developmental science, each story covers a different therapeutic theme including emotional expression, resilience, recovery from loss, trauma, forgiveness, and relationship conflict. They are also simply fun, engaging and amusing stories holding universal applicability to all children and their parents. Check out our store for the books available for purchase and our posts for free downloads of selected titles.
OUR COUNSELLING APPROACH
The counselling approach followed at Healing Hooves is firmly grounded in attachment theory, developmental psychology and neuroscience; an insight approach, rather than a behavioural approach. Specifically, it is grounded in the approach developed and taught by Dr. Gordon Neufeld with whom all Healing Hooves counsellors and trainers have extensive training. As such the focus is upon the relationship between a client and the key positive adults in his/her life, upon the client’s longer term development, and upon the needs and emotions underlying their behavior.
This is approached through facilitating a process and creating an environment within which the client develops a positive relationship with the horses and other animals at Healing Hooves. This is then used as a bridge to develop a positive relationship with the counsellor, and with other key healthy caretaking adults in the client’s life. The interactions and interventions facilitated with and through the therapy animals, and all other therapeutic approaches and interventions followed by Healing Hooves Counsellors, are grounded in her understanding of both child development and attachment, and the interplay between these two aspects.
This includes consideration of attachment depth, security and health; the health and maturity level of the developmental processes of emergence, adaptation and integration; the level of emotional defenses and the impact of this upon both attachment and the developmental processes; and the interplay between all of the above and a child’s ability to feel and express emotions (including frustration and alarm) in a healthy and vulnerable manner.
Funding is often available for our services through Children’s Services (CS), Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and through private health insurance.
Sue McIntosh, MA, CCC the founder and lead counsellor at Healing Hooves is triple certified with EFW Canada as a trainer, mentor and practitioner and is certified with the Neufeld Institute as a practitioner, facilitator and parent consultant.
