ABSTRACT
Equine-assisted psychotherapy has grown exponentially in the past decade. This is therapy which integrates experiential activities with a horse into the therapy practice. There is a national certifying body, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, and at least one COAMFTE-accredited master's program, Nova Southeastern University, which offers a specialization in this modality. Talia Aguayo is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has completed additional training in Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, and completed her portfolio for certification as a Mental Health Provider and Equine Specialist with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). In 2013 she attended an additional training at the farm, and at the end of the day she purchased a book written by the owner to get a better understanding on what equine-assisted therapy (EAP) was all about, how it worked, and what the business side looked like. She asked her to sign it for people, and she wrote, 'Welcome to the Herd'.
