PSA Register
The Athena Herd Foundation holds the Accredited Practitioner Register (application pending with the Professional Standards Authority) to define a set of professional standards to support the delivery of Equine Facilitated Interactions (known as, for example, Equine Assisted and/or Facilitated Learning, Therapy, Counselling, Psychotherapy, or Hippotherapy – defined here) by improving the regulation and registration of Practitioners through the Athena® Herd Foundation Accredited Practitioner Register™.
To explore the register or find a practitioner please click here.
To find out how we handle public concerns or complaints please click here.
Please contact us for more information.
Awarding
Learning
Community
Organisational Member No: 00275580
Track System
Most importantly, the move to the farmhouse provided the horses with an amazing environment. This is because it better supports optimum physical and emotional health and well-being. Inspired by, amongst others, Jaime Jackson’s book “Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding”. Athena Herd Foundation today is home to a sizeable barefoot herd of horses. They live as naturally as possible on an equine track system.
Consequently, it is no surprise that this labour of love brought together horses and a group of like-minded humans. In other words, people passionate about the emotional and physical health and well-being of horses. This emphasis has made it an ideal place to deliver Equine Facilitated Interactions.
Organisational Memberships
Athena Herd Foundation CIC is an Organisational Member of both the BACP: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and ACCPH: Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists. Jennifer Geach is the co-founder of Athena Herd, a Senior Solicitor, Equine Facilitated Practitioner and Fellow Member of the ACCPH. The combination of living in harmony with nature and looking to care for the herd of horses in as natural an environment as possible provides a very authentic setting for the best possible Equine Facilitated Interactions and development training and experience.
Currently the Athena Herd Foundation team can deliver a single stand alone Certification in Equine Facilitated Interactions, a full Equine Facilitated Practitioner Diploma as well as various events and learning experiences in line with the vast amount of individual expertise.
Athena Herd Foundation logo
One thing that really stood out on moving to the farmhouse was an old almost spooky looking dead tree. This tree is located in the middle of the land and gains a great deal of attention. The lightening tree. This tree was the origin of the Athena Herd Foundation logo. It depicts that special tree deeply rooted into the land. It also has a representation of the Athena Herd and animals all encompassed within a circle. Depicting positive emotions and nature. We give thanks to Kate for designing the original Athena Herd logo and Frankie for adapting it in 2021 to bring in the Athena Herd Foundation Awarding, Learning and Community arms.
Equine Facilitated Interactions (EFL/EAL)
Authenticity and attention to the whole health and well-being of the Athena Herd horses. This is what makes the Equine Facilitated Interactions (including Equine Facilitated Learning and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy) experiences here at the Athena Herd Foundation unique. Jennifer Geach strives to build meaningful relationships and connections with the Athena Herd Foundation horses. For instance, we really observe and listen to their needs and choices. Moreover, this has also been the case with all of the horses that have made up Athena Herd over the years. We really look to gain a better understanding and insight into their individual needs and choices. This journey is what took Jennifer on this path. Looking at what is, for example, Equine Facilitated Learning, Equine Assisted Learning, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, Occupational Therapy, healing with horses. Subsequently, Jennifer went on to join courses offered by various training providers. Jennifer also, for example, actively participates in the Equine Assisted & Facilitated Practitioners Network and Conferences.
Experienced Team
Importantly there is a great breadth of complementary experience and expertise in our team. This includes horsemanship, training , coaching, advisory, business, legal, equitation, counselling and much more.
Events
300+
Success Stories
5
Courses
400+
Happy Students
10
Years Experience
Athena® Equine Facilitated Training Programmes
The Athena Herd team has designed the unique stand alone Accredited Level 2 Certificate in Equine Facilitated Interactions (whether you are looking for “EFL” or “EFP”). This is referred to as Module One. Most importantly, this can be taken as a seven week interactive distance learning option. Participants can also continue, after successful completion of Module One, with the full Accredited Level 4 Equine Facilitated Practitioner Diploma either on a fully or partially remote basis.
the Athena® Herd Foundation CIC is a not for profit community interest company located in West Kent, UK. We offer the best possible learning and development experience in a unique location alongside special people and animals. Jennifer and Brent established Athena® Herd in 2014 and have developed a unique interactive learning and development centre bring track systems to the Equine Interaction space becoming the Athena Herd Foundation in 2021. Consequently, we offer unique individual training qualifications and programmes. Our programmes range from those wishing to learn more about equine track systems and what it means to keep your horse on one. Extending to our unique standalone externally accredited training in Equine Facilitated Interactions, including our Certificate in Equine Facilitated Interactions as well as the full Equine Facilitated Practitioner Diploma. Our programmes have been designed so that we can tailor our training to suit your needs so that you can attain accredited qualifications. Many of our training programmes are validated for CPD by ACCPH. For more information please visit our programme page.
Level 2 Certificate
Our externally accredited ACCPH Certificate in Equine Facilitated Interactions (Module One) as a standalone Certificate
Level 4 Diploma
Diplomas build on the theory and knowledge you gained on the Certificate, as well as core practical experiential skills.
Level 5 Diploma
We expect that you will need approximately nine to ten months in total to complete all modules of the Level 4 Equine Facilitated Practitioner Diploma, and an additional three to six months to complete the Level 5
Level 7 Post-Graduate Certificate with Ulster University
Post-graduate certificate module in “The Application of Equine Groundwork in Clinical Practice” delivered in conjunction with Ulster University’s School of Health Sciences Allied Health Professional Masters’ Programme.
Your Future Starts Here.
“The instruction was superior to the professional courses I have attended before”
“Knowledge, new experiences, and feeling part of an actual community of talented EFL/EFP peoples. The desire to continue with the Diploma and develop my craft/business with confidence in the next months. CONFIDENCE :)”
“We have all had to manage our lives with Covid, and the online course exceed expectations in terms of course delivery and student participation. Option to always spend time with the Athena Herd (at no extra cost) helped to really understand Athena facilitators, the Herd, and the track system. Sharing our life/horse experiences as fellow students was diverse, insightful, and rewarding. For an ‘Online Course’ it was highly engaging, inclusive, and professional. Tbh it exceeded my expectations :)”