Ayla Therapies: Equine and Nature Assisted Mental Health OT

17/03/2026

Finally I have completed the last page of my website (for now). My deliberations related to my difficulty of putting into words just why horses and nature are so important to the work I do. I watched this and it clicked. It's not about words, it's way, way deeper. Thanks Harry.

https://aylatherapies.com.au/horses-and-nature/

24/02/2026

100% this!

New research highlights the healing potential of equine-assisted services for children’s mental health

A recent peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Social Work Practice explores how equine-assisted services can support children experiencing trauma, anxiety and emotional challenges.

Key insights from the research:

Children often feel safer and more connected in natural, horse-inclusive environments than in traditional clinical settings.

Horses’ sensitivity to human emotion can support trust-building and emotional regulation.

Practitioners observed increased openness, communication and readiness for therapeutic engagement.

Children demonstrated improvements in confidence, resilience, and sense of self.

Importantly, the research also highlights the need for:

Strong ethical frameworks and professional standards such as the ATL Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

Sustainable funding pathways are important which is why ATL works hard at raising funds for our Mental Health Outreach and Pathways Program

Continued high-quality research to strengthen the evidence base

At Animal Therapies Ltd, we advocate for evidence-informed, ethical, and accessible animal-assisted services across Australia.

When delivered by appropriately qualified and insured practitioners, equine-assisted services can form a meaningful part of holistic mental health support. You can read more here:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02650533.2025.2495741?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQBoixleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeF9-wVnfVJor_w4tMiukYndHf0MnrRZoNoPXdIp3jxBhgeiCRNA_iUhWMutA_aem_YRA63jIFyhNt7DRBB79elw

11/02/2026

With the much appreciated change in weather, comes some other changes at Ayla Therapies. I am finishing up at my much loved job in NSW Health this week. I can already feel the influence of the space this brings.

From next week, I will open up Wednesdays for client sessions. I will also have an early evening spot on Tuesday until the end of this term. These sessions will likely include some of the evening care tasks for the horses and poultry and would be an excellent opportunity to explore some functional and mental health goals.

This morning, the horses are back in 'work.' They are no longer hiding from the heat and have more capacity to connect with me, my clients and each other. I started today by checking in with the girls and finding out how they felt about light communication through the halter. Pretty chill and a bit playful was what they communicated! Troy never wants to miss out and was accepting of kisses from Ayla and curious as to the shift in routine. Pepe has some growing to do regarding his orientation to space. I caught him sneaking under the electric fence even though the gate was open. See each photo for my interpretation based on their cues.

16/01/2026

I can't recommend this book enough. The content is digestible, relatable and useful. I believe all parents, teachers, carers, therapists, and in fact anyone who has children in their lives, will get plenty from it.

16/01/2026

Would your kids benifit from unplugging to spend a day in nature before school returns?

It's not too late to register for a school holiday retreat. The day will be a relaxed, inclusive, and fun way to learn skills for regulation, connection and coping with change.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any queries.

07/01/2026

This way of framing our nervous systems is one that I come back to again and again during sessions. The horses, dogs, poultry and wildlife at Ayla Therapies help to demonstrate constant shifting through different nervous system states. This is one of the concepts that will become familiar to participants of my approaching school holiday retreats.

Limited places remain in each group. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any queries.

Thank you Equine Assisted Therapy Australia for this well timed image and explanation.

🍃With the start of a new year, can also come new pressures.

🧠It is helpful to understand your nervous system and recognise when you may need to slow down and draw on mindfulness or self-regulation techniques.

One model we regularly explore at EATA is the Window of Tolerance (WOT).

The Window of Tolerance was developed by renowned psychiatrist Dr Dan Siegel.

It represents the optimal zone of nervous system ‘arousal’ for a person to function effectively in everyday life.

When we’re within our Window of Tolerance, we tend to feel calm, present and in control. We’re more flexible/open and better able to learn, adapt, connect and cope with daily stressors.

When we move outside this window, we may experience:

🔴Hyperarousal (fight/flight) - anxiety, anger, panic, overwhelm

🔴Hypo arousal (freeze/shut-down) - numbness, withdrawal, depression, exhaustion

EATA students often refer to the Window of Tolerance model, when they are practicing with clients.

It helps to highlight how trauma or prolonged stress can narrow a person’s WOT and impact their capacity to function and respond to life’s demands.

Take a look at the chart below and identify symptoms of hyperarousal and hypo arousal, and how to get back into the Window of Tolerance.

Neuroscience is just one of many fascinating subjects you’ll cover when you study with us.

03/01/2026

15/12/2025

At Ayla therapies, safety is a priority. This is achieved through prior preparation, through carefully setting up the environment, by establishing boundaries before interacting with the animals, and through constant gentle supervision and guidance. Safety does not emerge from obedience or dominance over the animals. My animal partners are not 'used' for therapy, and they are not 'therapists.'

What does happen is noticing and exploration of what comes up for my clients when they experience genuine relational interactions - however they may unfold.

Many trauma-informed animal-assisted service providers avoid the word “obedience” when talking about training — and there’s a good reason.
“Obedience” implies power, control, and compliance. But healing work with animals is built on choice, trust, and partnership.

When we shift the language, we shift the relationship: from demanding a behaviour to inviting connection.

By focusing on communication, emotional safety, and mutual respect, we support both the human and the animal in showing up as regulated, empowered partners in the work. It’s not about control — it’s about collaboration.

07/12/2025

New dates added:

Tuesday 13 January and Wednesday 28 January.

Please reach out if you have any questions or if you have a child interested who doesn't quite fit the age range below.

07/12/2025

https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/Nature-prescriptions-deliver-mental-health-benefits-worth-more-than-four-times-their-cost

This is not a surprising finding for me, but it is wonderful to have an increasing evidence base for the benifits of spending time in nature.

A new University of Melbourne trial has found nature-based prescribing generated wellbeing benefits for young Australians worth more than four times their cost