Training
Training
Training under our Athena® Brand
AAHEP - Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners
ATHENA® is a trading name of the Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners (AAHEP). While AAHEP serves as the professional standards and regulatory body for nature-based therapies, Athena® delivers the practical training, education, and community programmes that support practitioners in achieving excellence.
Our Relationship
AAHEP® and Athena Herd Foundation work hand-in-hand to advance the field of Equine Assisted Services and nature-based therapies.
AAHEP® focusses on setting and maintaining professional standards, operating the PSA-accredited practitioner register, protecting the public through robust regulation, and accrediting qualifications and training providers.
Athena® delivers externally accredited training programmes, continuing professional development courses, community-based equine assisted services, and support for vulnerable individuals and groups.
Together, we ensure that practitioners receive world-class training while the public can trust in the quality and safety of the services they receive.
What Athena® Offers
Awarding
Working in partnership with external regulatory and accrediting organisations, Athena Herd Foundation ensures that professional standards are maintained in both practice and education. Our awarding function supports the AAHEP® register by validating that practitioners have completed rigorous, externally accredited training.
Learning
Athena is the UK's leading provider of trauma-informed equine training. We deliver externally accredited qualifications validated by ACCPH (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists), developing professional skills in Equine Assisted Services at multiple levels:
| Qualification | Description |
| Level 2 Certificate | Foundation Certificate in Equine Assisted Services – available as interactive distance learning |
| Level 4 Diploma | Builds on foundation theory with core practical experiential skills |
| Level 5 Diploma | Advanced practitioner development and specialisation |
| Level 7 Certificate | Postgraduate-level supervised research and analysis |
Our programmes are also accredited for CPD by the International Association of Counselling Psychotherapists (IACP), and are designed to be flexible – available fully or partially remotely to suit your needs.
Community
As a Community Interest Company, Athena Herd Foundation prioritises serving vulnerable individuals and communities. Based in Paddock Wood, Kent, we provide insightful and beneficial Equine Assisted Services for local individuals, community groups, and organisations, including our work with the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).
Visit Athena Herd Foundation
To explore our training programmes, community services, or to enrol on a course, visit:
For questions about professional registration and standards, contact us here at AAHEP via our contact page.
Why Choose Athena?
PSA-accredited pathway – Complete your training knowing it leads directly to registration on our Professional Standards Authority accredited register.
Experienced training team – Learn from practitioners with over 200 years of combined experience in equine assisted services.
Flexible learning – Distance learning options allow you to study from anywhere.
Externally validated – All qualifications are independently accredited by ACCPH.
Community focused – Be part of an organisation that gives back to those most in need.
AAHEP® trading as ATHENA® – Awarding • Learning • Community
