We receive a lot of correspondence from professionals interested in using equine therapy for the military.  The EAGALA Model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning provides the highest standards in this modality involving horses to focus on the psychological health and human development of military members and their families.  

For professionals interested in becoming a provider, the first step is to obtain EAGALA Certification and participate in continuing education. The second step is to ensure you have background and training in working with the military population.  The EAGALA Code of Ethics indicates you do not practice out of your area of training and expertise.

The importance of certification and proper training can not be overstated in anything to do with addressing psychological health issues, and this is especially true in working with servicemembers and their families. As a professional, it is important to understand and honor the unique military culture and what that means for psychological health interventions, and be committed to holding the highest standards in training and practice. Our military men and women deserve nothing less.

The following audio presentations provide information in introducing this work with the military:

2012 May 23rd - Presentation at the Navy and Marine Corps Combat & Operational Stress Control Conference - Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Growing Treatment Modality by Lynn Thomas and StarrLee Heady - 47 minutes audio with powerpoint (Note: if it has trouble bringing up, click the Login link on the left and follow the instructions for username and password, then scroll to the presentation and press the audio icon on the right)

2012 13th Conference - Working with Military Populations by StarrLee Heady (play 80-minute audio below), plus workshop powerpoint (or click here for direct powerpoint download)