AAHEP - Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners

Animal Assisted Therapists and Psychotherapists are qualified mental health professionals who incorporate animals into their therapeutic practice. They work with clients to address emotional, psychological and behavioural challenges using the unique bond between humans and animals.

What they do:

• Deliver structured therapeutic interventions using animals as part of treatment plans
• Support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health conditions
• Use animal interactions to build trust, improve communication and develop coping strategies
• Work in clinical settings, private practice, schools, hospitals and community environments

Qualifications: Must hold a recognised psychotherapy or counselling qualification and additional training in animal-assisted interventions.

Equine Assisted Occupational Therapists are registered occupational therapists who use horses and the equine environment to help clients develop, recover or maintain daily living and work skills. The horse's movement and the stable environment provide unique sensory and motor challenges.

What they do:

• Use equine movement (hippotherapy) to improve posture, balance, coordination and motor planning
• Develop fine and gross motor skills through mounted and ground-based activities
• Support sensory processing and integration
• Help clients build independence in daily activities
• Work with children and adults with physical disabilities, developmental conditions, neurological conditions and injuries

Qualifications: Must be a registered Occupational Therapist with additional training in equine-assisted practice.

Equine Assisted/Facilitated Practitioners use horses and the equine environment to support learning, personal development and wellbeing. They deliver experiential, ground-based sessions that help individuals and groups develop life skills, emotional awareness and resilience.

What they do:

• Facilitate experiential learning sessions using horses
• Support personal development, confidence building and emotional regulation
• Deliver programmes for schools, youth groups, corporate teams and community organisations
• Help clients develop communication, leadership and problem-solving skills
• Work with individuals facing life challenges, transitions or seeking personal growth

Qualifications: Must hold an AAHEP-recognised qualification in equine-assisted/facilitated practice.

Equine Assisted/Facilitated Psychotherapists are qualified mental health professionals who integrate horses into psychotherapy. Horses are highly attuned to human emotions and behaviour, providing immediate, non-judgemental feedback that supports therapeutic exploration and healing.

What they do:

• Deliver psychotherapy using horses as therapeutic partners
• Support clients with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, attachment difficulties and relationship issues
• Use ground-based activities to explore emotions, behaviours and relational patterns
• Help clients develop self-awareness, emotional regulation and healthier coping strategies
• Work with individuals, couples, families and groups

Qualifications: Must hold a recognised psychotherapy or counselling qualification aligned with SCoPEd framework requirements, plus additional training in equine-assisted psychotherapy.

Equine Facilitated Learning practitioners use horses and the equine environment to deliver educational and developmental programmes. These experiential sessions focus on building skills, knowledge and personal growth rather than therapeutic outcomes.

What they do:

• Deliver experiential learning programmes in educational settings
• Support character development, resilience and social skills in young people
• Facilitate corporate leadership, team building and communication training
• Help individuals develop problem-solving, decision-making and interpersonal skills
• Work with schools, colleges, youth organisations and businesses

Qualifications: Must hold an AAHEP-recognised qualification in equine-assisted/facilitated learning with appropriate teaching or facilitation credentials.

Horticultural Therapists use gardening, plants and the natural environment to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Also known as social and therapeutic horticulture, this practice harnesses the restorative power of nature and meaningful activity.

What they do:

• Design and deliver therapeutic gardening programmes
• Support mental health recovery, rehabilitation and wellbeing
• Help clients develop vocational skills through social farming and green care
• Work with people experiencing mental health challenges, learning disabilities, dementia, physical disabilities and social isolation
• Deliver programmes in therapeutic gardens, community allotments, care settings and healthcare environments

Qualifications: Must hold an AAHEP-recognised qualification in horticultural therapy or social and therapeutic horticulture.