Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) Professionals

Are you looking to deepen your understanding of Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) and enhance your ability to design meaningful, research-aligned experiences?

Join us for a hands-on, thought-provoking model independent workshop that demystifies the themes, behaviors, and psychological foundations behind effective EAS programming. This interactive three-day experience is designed for practitioners, researchers, and facilitators who want to bridge the gap between theory and practice—using equine behavior, psychology, and research-based themes to build more effective, ethical, and impactful activities.

What to Expect

Three Days - Rain or Shine

  • Friday Evening (7-9pm)

    Foundations & Introductions

    🐴 Meet fellow practitioners and explore your approach to EAS.

    🐴 Overview of key themes, facility tour, and what to expect over the weekend.

  • Saturday (9-4pm)

    Themes & Observations in Practice

    🐴 Explore current themes, definitions, and research that is shaping the future of our EAS industry.

    🐴 Hands-on exploration of how activities align (or misalign) with equine behavior & psychology.

    🐴 Interactive activity design—observe how horses respond when given agency, and adjust based on real behavioral insights.

  • Sunday (9-4pm)

    Rebuilding & Realigning EAS Practices

    🐴 Work in teams to develop and refine activities that center the horse-human relationship.

    🐴 Learn how to identify and troubleshoot gaps between expectations and reality in EAS sessions.

    🐴 Final reflections and practical takeaways to apply in your own practice.

Why Attend?

Whether you're new to EAS or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will challenge, inspire, and equip you with tools to enhance your practice while keeping equine welfare and authentic engagement at the forefront.

  • Gain a deeper understanding of EAS beyond traditional models.

  • Learn to build activities that align with science, psychology, and equine behavior.

  • Develop skills to design and adapt sessions based on horses' natural responses rather than assumptions.

  • Walk away with practical frameworks to use in your own EAS programs.

Demystifying Equine Assisted Services

3 Day in-person Experiential Workshop

    1. Demystifying EAS Experiential Workshop

    2. Reviewing Sample Activity Descriptions

    3. Worksheet #1 | deConstruct PDF

    4. Worksheet #2 | ReBUILD PDF

    1. Building Community Connections

    1. References for Common themes

    2. Stratton 2022 | Assessment of positive emotion in horses

    3. Kieson, Sams 2021 | A Preliminary Investigation of Preferred Affiliative Interactions within and between Select Bonded Pairs of Horses: A First Look at Equine “Love Languages”

    4. Torcivia, McDonnell 2021 | Equine discomfort ethogram

    5. Gleerup et al. 2015 | An Equine Pain Face

    6. McDonnell, Poulin 2002 | Equid play ethogram

    7. McDonnell, Haviland 1995 | Agonistic ethogram of the equid bachelor band

Join us in Canada!

  • $750.00

Instructor(s)

Emily Kieson PhD, MS

Senior Instructor

Emily Kieson holds a PhD in Comparative Psychology, a MS in Psychology, and a graduate degree in Equine Science. Emily also holds multiple certifications in various models of equine-assisted activities and previously served as Chair of the Equine Welfare Committee with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) for2 years. Her current research focuses on equine affiliative behaviors to study how horses create and maintain social bonds and how those can overlap with human affiliative behaviors for application in management, horse ownership, equine-assisted activities, and indicators of positive welfare in horses with and without humans. She also has a passion for supporting sustainable systems of horse management and husbandry that promote physical and psychological welfare of the horse while simultaneously supporting sustainable ecosystem practices on small and large scales (for both feral and domestic equids). Emily currently develops and teaches courses at universities in the fields of psychology, animal-human interactions, animal-assisted interventions, animal behavior and training, and animal welfare and ethics. She also serves as a member of dissertation committees at universities in the US and UK. Emily serves as Executive Director at Equine International.

Sharolyn Wandzura, EFLP/EP

Senior Instructor

Sharolyn Wandzura of Ears Forward Coaching offers leadership and personal development programs based out of Azadeh Acres located in east Maple Ridge, BC. As a long time student of the horse, she blends Liberty Horse Training, Equine Guided Development & Career Coaching to help clients find their voice, become compassionate leaders and have courageous conversations. As an Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator I do believe our industry is ready for growth for our clients, ourselves AND our horses. "When we KNOW more we are able to BE more for our horses and ourselves while providing effective services for our communities."

FAQ

  • What should I prepare before attending?

    Come ready to explore, learn, and collaborate with like-minded professionals in the company of horses! Bring your curiosity, enthusiasm, and any ideas, exercises, or activities you’d like to refine. Together, we’ll enhance and design meaningful, research-aligned experiences that elevate your practice.

  • Are there any prerequisites?

    No prerequisites are required! However, to maximize your experience, we recommend completing the Demystifying Equine-Assisted Services Through Research & Science online course, available through the Equine International online classroom.

  • Can I bring my horse?

    While this is a hands-on workshop with horses, we are unable to accommodate outside horses at this time. Instead, you’ll have the opportunity to work with our carefully selected equine partners as we deconstruct and rebuild EAS activities.

  • Are accommodations available on-site?

    Ears Forward Coaching is conveniently located between Maple Ridge and Mission, BC, offering easy access to hotels and charming B&Bs. Need recommendations? Contact [email protected], and we’ll help you find the perfect spot!

  • What are the closest airports?

    We’re based at Azadeh Acres in Maple Ridge, BC—easily accessible from:
    ✈️ Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) – 40km away
    ✈️ Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – 60km away
    Need assistance with transportation?
    Let’s chat! Email [email protected] for travel support.

  • What should I bring?

    Nestled on the stunning coast of British Columbia, our workshop takes place rain or shine! Dress in layers and be prepared for any weather—bring a hat, jacket, and close-toed shoes or boots to stay comfortable while working with the horses.

Limited seats are available.

This is small intensive cohort. Designed to help you deconstruct and rebuild your EAS activities. Reserve your seat today.