Leading nonprofit global association for professionals providing equine-assisted psychotherapy.
Eagala Certification is The Global Standard for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Personal Development. Join the Eagala Network of over 4,500 members in 50 countries who are changing lives through the unique intuitive power of horses. Under The Eagala Model, both a licensed, certified Mental Health Professional and a certified Equine Specialist work together collaboratively at all times to assure clients get the therapeutic attention and support they need as they make life changes. The Eagala Model is built on the premise that it's the client who best determines the kinds of life changes they need to make in order to improve their life. The job of the Eagala treatment team is to put The Eagala Model to work to meet the client's goals by engaging the sensitivity of horses to help them understand their process and practice the changes they want to make in a safe, supportive setting. Because all Eagala sessions are done on the ground - there is no riding involved - this work provides a growing opportunity for horses of all abilities to have a role and purpose. This amazing work benefits the lives of both the horses and humans. Through your support, we can continue to expand access to these services worldwide.
04/03/2026
At Eagala, we've got your back -- and, when you turn around, everyone else will see the front of your nifty new Eagala ballcap. This one's got a low profile with an adjustable strap.
Show up at your next Eagala Global Member Meeting sporting this lid and be prepared for the compliments! Send us a picture of you in your Eagala ball cap and you just might become our next Eagala model (wink wink nudge nudge)
Renew in nature. Renew in the Gem State. Renew in Idaho! 🌲
Renewing members can attend Fundamentals for $800 (formerly $995). Join us in Athol, Idaho for immersive learning grounded in ethics, teamwork, and experiential practice. Hosted at the lovely Hope Reins Foundation, you'll breathe fresh Idaho air surrounded by other equine-assisted psychotherapy professionals -- new and seasoned!
Alread working with (or planning to work with) individuals who have been trafficked?
This Eagala webinar takes an in-depth look at the healing impact of rescue horses amongst a group of human and s*x trafficking survivors from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Co-hosted by these two presenters:
Sara Velez, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Advanced Level 2 certified through EAGALA as an Equine Specialist and Mental Health Specialist
Brooke Lichter, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Advanced Level 2 certified through EAGALA as an Equine Specialist and Mental Health Specialist
Through real life and clinical data, we will discuss the ways our herd of rescue horses has facilitated healing, connection, and empathy among this group of survivors.
Through this transformative discussion Sara and Brooke discuss specific connections between the population of survivors of human and s*x trafficking and the rescue horses who serve as our co-facilitators. These connections are discussed to explore the healing partnership between survivors of human and s*x trafficking and rescue horses.
The presenters (and audience) explore the ways horses are often discarded once they are no longer deemed “profitable”. Just like unwanted equines, survivors of human and s*x trafficking are often passed around and objectified. You'll explore the similarities between both survivors of human and s*x trafficking and with the rescue horses and the practice of “branding.”
Gain insight into the specific language that is used among herd members as a way to communicate their dominance and connection while also considering specific language that is used amongst the group of survivors as a way to communicate with one another and how this can relate to herd dynamics. The importance of trauma informed language when partnering with this population is also covered.
Eagala is excited to be a part of the upcoming Horses and Healing Symposium to be hosted May 15-17 at Stepping Stones Farm and Retreat Center in Temple, NH. This event is a power-packed gathering for equine professionals, emerging practitioners, riding instructors, and anyone curious about the healing power of horses.
We enthusiastically await the following event offerings: 20 speakers offering 30 different topics and live equine demonstrations. As if that weren't enough, Horses & Healing Symposium will host New England's premiere of the new, powerful documentary, "Rescued Hearts."
Several Eagala members will be presenting as well as participating in the live equine demonstrations. Hat tip to event organizer and Eagala member, Boo Martin, for bringing this collaborative equine-centered symposium to life!
04/01/2026
Catch this week's Eagala e-newsletter right here. Eagala members, if this is not arriving in your email inbox, we suggest you check spam and junk folders first. Don't see if there? Reach out to Glenna at support@eagala.org.
For some people, sitting in a therapy office and trying to explain their feelings just does not work. Equine-assisted psychotherapy offers a different path. Working with horses can help people process emotions without needing the "right words," build trust in a safe and nonjudgmental space, and learn to regulate anxiety, stress, and overwhelm in real time.
Because horses do not judge. They respond honestly and immediately. And that is often where the breakthrough begins.
Sooo many great trainings -- in awesome locations and including Skillsets: Intensive and Skillsets: Group Work. We encourage you to swipe and see a few images and then visit the following link to see all of them!
If you want to know more about an Eagala training -- what to expect, for whom they are best suited, what to pack -- we're here to help! Contact Jaime, our training coordinator, at trainings@eagala.org. She can help you and/or direct you to someone in the Herd with even more information.
We look forward to seeing YOU at an upcoming Eagala training!
03/31/2026
Some landscapes offer space. Others offer clarity.
In Haskell, Oklahoma, October 8–10, 2026, your Eagala Skillsets: Intensive Training takes place where the horizon stretches wide and distractions fall away. It is in this kind of environment that experienced practitioners can slow down, observe more closely, and refine the subtleties of their work.
In the arena, horses respond without interpretation. What emerges is direct, honest, and often revealing. Mental Health professionals and Equine Specialists work together to notice what is happening beneath the surface and to deepen how they respond in those moments.
This is advanced practice. Focused. Intentional. Grounded in what is real.
Looking to grow professionally and earn CE credits? Eagala trainings are designed for mental health and equine professionals—and accredited by leading organizations you know and trust:
✨ NAADAC – The Association for Addiction Professionals
✨ NBCC – National Board for Certified Counselors
✨ ASWB – Association of Social Work Boards
📚 Fundamentals Training: Up to 29 CE hours (27 general + 2 ethics)
📚 Skillsets Intensive: 20 CE hours
With Eagala, you gain more than new tools—you gain credentials recognized across the field of mental health and addiction services.
Don't miss the boat on the opportunity to pen a postcard like this one:
"Greetings from Pāuatahanui, New Zealand! I just finished International Fundamentals Training here (Sept 29 – Oct 3) 2026, and it has been nothing short of incredible. The setting alone invites you to slow down and take it all in, and paired with the learning, it creates the most powerful experience. Being in the arena with MHs and ESs from everywhere added a richness I did not expect. It was a reminder that while our paths here may be different, the work we do is deeply shared.
There were so many moments where the horses reflected something back that shifted my perspective in a meaningful way. It felt like both a return to the core of the model and an expansion of how I understand it. I am heading home with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper trust in and connection to this global community.
If you have ever thought about attending an international training, I would absolutely recommend exploring what is coming up next. This experience stays with you."
You can send a message (text or postcard!) like this, so get the details on how to be in New Zealand come September here: https://my.eagala.org/events
03/31/2026
Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Neighboline! 🐴👄
IYKYK 😉
03/30/2026
Fall into Virginia's autumnal beauty and fall further in love with the Eagala Model. Join your Eagala Herdmates for a Skillsets: Intensive training this coming November. Three days of more specific and nuanced experiential learning. Three days of time together with other Eagala-savvy practitioners. Three days of growing your toolkit for equine-assisted psychotherapeutic practice.
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Eagala Certification is The Global Standard for Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Personal Development. Join the Eagala Network of over 2,500 certified members in 50 countries who are changing lives through the unique intuitive power of horses.
Under the Eagala Model, both a licensed, certified Mental Health Professional and a certified Equine Specialist work together collaboratively at all times to assure clients get the therapeutic attention and support they need as they make life changes.
The Eagala Model is built on the premise that it's the client who best determines the kinds of life changes they need to make in order to improve their life. The job of the Eagala treatment team is to put the Eagala Model to work to meet the client's goals by engaging the sensitivity of horses to help them understand their process and practice the changes they want to make in a safe, supportive setting.
Because all Eagala sessions are done on the ground - there is no riding involved - this work provides a growing opportunity for horses of all abilities to have a role and purpose. This amazing work benefits the lives of both the horses and humans. Through your support, we can continue to expand access to these services worldwide.
