Accelerated Insights

12/04/2026

SUPPORTING NEURODIVERGENT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO FIND SCHOOL CHALLENGING

A six-week programme of gentle nature-based therapy for 7 to 11 year-olds and their families to support neurodivergent young people that find school challenging. The sessions will be led by Psychologist Dr. Victoria Lawson and will incorporate a blend of activities including mindful horticulture, forest school and ground-based equine assisted services.

The programme will help young people to:
- explore emotions and wellbeing
- develop confidence & social skills
- reduce anxiety and reconnect with learning
- develop neurodivergent appropriate emotional regulation resources
- express themselves in a safe and supportive environment

The programme will run on Saturdays mornings 10:00am-11:45am on the following dates 30th May/6th & 20th June/4th & 18th July/4th August at Athena Herd, High Lees Farmhouse, Wagon Lane, Paddock Wood TN12 6PT
This is a FREE lottery funded service, supported by a requested small donation of £5 per session for refreshments.

To book a place of for more information please contact graeme@aahep.uk OR v.lawsonpsychologist@gmail.com

23/02/2026

Thank you Athena Aahep: Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners The National Lottery

23/02/2026

Accelerated Insights is very pleased to have been awarded a grant from The National Lottery's Community Fund to work with Psychologist Dr Victoria Lawson of ZenSEN to provide sensory integration, eco therapy, Equine assisted services and forest school activities for young 7-11 year old children. (See Dr Lawson's Instagram link below).

Based on the beautiful farm setting at Athena with access to vegetable and flower gardens, a private orchard, the Athena herd and other farm animals.

Each programme will run over 6 week period and groups will be limited to 6 young people. There is a contribution of £5 for each session.

The first cohort will begin in late May 2026, with a second cohort at the end of the Summer, late August/beginning of September. There will also be a third cohort at date to be confirmed.

The project is designed to be beneficiary-led, to re-empower SEN families, and we will be taking feedback to plan services based around their needs and choices. We are inviting enquiries from local families and communities.

We will also put together cohorts for older ages if interest is expressed.

To register your interest please reach-out using the "WhatsApp" button below.

https://www.instagram.com/zensen_psychology?igsh=MXd5M3dxdWo5NWpoMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

11/10/2025

On this World Mental Health we are championing open conversations, empathy and action for human and animal interactions 💕

Thank you Zoetis https://ie.linkedin.com/in/jamiebrannan?trk=public_post_embed_feed-actor-name and Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FHmYvQFNrtDqs3lu0AbMF?fbclid=IwRlRTSANW1DRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjfH6pMyQJY_-BxEaAKdpCsGN9oDE52xehOe_G3t7IT_Wxy6D9vQkb5JV_kp_aem_LOaMaGXP-V2UeiU8Y6P3QA

Wellness with Jamie Brannan · Episode

30/09/2025

Thank you to everyone that has donated so far.

Please find the go fund me page here ⬇️

https://gofund.me/e3ab2f508

30/09/2025

Thank you to everyone that has donated so far.

Please find the go fund me page here ⬇️

https://gofund.me/e3ab2f508

24/09/2025

🌏Very proud of our global community🌏
💕 Holly Testerman Counseling💕

🍂🐴🍁animal assisted therapy spots open now!

The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and the horses are soaking in the autumn sun. Therapy at its most powerful is a place where you can feel grounded; a place that invites you to defy narratives about the way things "should" be.

Inclusive and affirming animal assisted therapy spots are open on Thursdays in Boscawen! For more info, check out my website at hollytestermancounseling.com

07/09/2025

Graeme Green is very honoured to be included in this next Horses and Humans Research Foundation webinar as a panel expert 👇

*HHRF is a research organization and provides educational or instructional materials from time to time that are intended only to inform. HHRF does not endorse or recommend any product or service and does not provide, employ, or endorse providers of therapeutic, medical or mental health services....

07/09/2025

🙏 A MASSIVE thank you to those that have donated to this great cause 🙏

🎂 There are still a couple of weeks to go to my BIG birthday 🎂

Help us get to our goal 🆘 🙏

https://gofund.me/e3ab2f508

03/09/2025

This is a conversation that we engage in quite a lot during our training programmes at Athena.

Thank you Equitopia Center for sharing.

How does this inform practice in the space?

The Attraction of A Shut Down Horse

In many corners of horse culture, dominance-based methods are still seen as the gold standard for “good training.”

These approaches aim to suppress resistance, teaching horses to stop expressing signs of stress, discomfort, anxiety, or pain.

What often results is not a calm, willing partner, but a horse in a state of learned helplessness.

Learned helplessness occurs when an animal comes to believe that nothing he/she does can change his/her circumstances.

Horses in this state stop reacting, stop resisting, and stop communicating distress.

To the untrained eye, this can look like compliance.

To some, it looks like excellent training: the horse stands quietly, doesn’t spook, and tolerates pressure.

In reality, the horse has simply shut down.

This false sense of control appeals to many riders who value dominance.

A shut down horse won’t object to being ridden even if ihe/she is in pain, fearful, or overwhelmed.

The silence is convenient—but silence is not the same as trust.

Worse still, when the suppression cracks, the reactions can be explosive.

Outbursts described as “came out of nowhere” or “no warning” are often the final release of emotions a horse has been forced to bottle up.

Contrast this with the process of building genuine trust.

Trust is not created through fear or force; it comes from consistent, positive experiences.

Just as you wouldn’t trust someone who constantly invalidated your feelings or caused harm, why would a horse trust a human who ignores his/her distress?

Horses, like people, thrive in relationships built on respect, understanding, and choice.

If you love your horse, always question the status quo.

Say no to dominance-based methods.

Say yes to evidence and research-based education in equine behavior and learning theory.

Join us on the journey and let's evolve together to better standards and protocols that elevate our skills in preserving horse welfare - from the horse's perspective!

https://equitopiacenter.com/equitopia-start-learning-today/

30/08/2025

🍃 Athena is the only animal, equine and horticultural and nature based organisation in the UK that combines:

• PSA Accredited Practitioner Register (first of its kind for animal including equine and horticultural and nature based practices work) https://athenaherd.org/awarding/practitioner-register-psa

• Nationally recognised qualifications: https://athenaherd.org/learning/training-courses

• Rigorous horse welfare and safeguarding standards;

• A full professional ecosystem of training, supervision, and ongoing CPD.

This makes Athena the benchmark for safe, ethical, and recognised practice in Equine Assisted Services.

🌱 In Summary

Athena Herd Foundation sets the gold standard for Equine Assisted Services in the UK.

Through accreditation, education, welfare, and advocacy, Athena ensures is safe, professional, and nationally recognised.

28/08/2025

Thank you so much to all the donations so far for my birthday fundraiser.

We have raised 6 % of our target amount 🙏🙏

Please please do support this big birthday fundraiser so we can support those wanting to come onsite
👇👇👇👇👇

https://gofund.me/7cd09c32