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Nature Based Therapies - Equine Assisted Psychology in Practice

EAP Conference 2025:

Expressions of Interest for Presenters

Our Equine Assisted Practice Conference is coming to Glenworth Valley Conference Centre in May, 2025 and promises to be a valuable opportunity for professional growth, energising your work and building community.

Our intention is to bring a dynamic and engaging learning experience showcasing the diverse nature of equine assisted practices in Australia to inform services from solo providers to larger organisations. To this end, we invite practitioners, researchers, and other professionals in the field to consider presenting in one of two ways:

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01. 

30 minute presentation or workshop/experiential learning.

02.

Pony Tales: sharing a lived
experience from clients

Please note that for the purposes of this conference, equine assisted practitioners and equine assisted services includes those offering EA treatment (EATx) such as EAPs/ therapists as well as EA education (EAL).

More Information:

30 minute presentation/workshop

This is an opportunity to share your unique insights, experiences or research findings with a community dedicated to advancing equine-assisted practices. 

  • Abstract Length: 250-300 words
  • Format: Abstracts should include:
    • Title of the presentation
    • Author(s) name(s) and professional affiliations
    • Brief introduction and background
    • Objectives and outcomes
    • Methods or approaches used (if applicable)
    • Significance and implications for the field
  • Types of Presentations:
    • Oral Presentations: 50 minute presentations followed by a 10 minute Q&A.

Workshops: Interactive sessions lasting 60-90 minutes that engage participants in hands-on activities. We will have access to a partially covered arena and up to 4 horses.

  • Abstract Length: 250-300 words
  • Format: Abstracts should include:
    • Title of the presentation
    • Author(s) name(s) and professional affiliations
    • Brief introduction and background
    • Objectives and outcomes
    • Methods or approaches used (if applicable)
    • Significance and implications for the field
  • Types of Presentations:
    • Oral Presentations: 25 minute presentations followed by a 5 minute Q&A.

There will also be an option of experiential sessions with horses weather permitting. There is no undercover option for EA sessions. 

Evaluation Criteria:

Abstracts will be evaluated based on:

  • Relevance to the conference theme
  • Originality and significance of the work
  • Clarity and coherence of the presentation
  • Potential impact on the field of equine-assisted services

Submission Process:


Important Dates:

  • Call for abstract submissions opens: Monday 25th November
  • Abstract submissions close: Monday 27th January
  • Notification of Review Outcome: Monday 3rd February
  • Deadline for accepted authors to confirm attendance: Monday 10th February
  • Full program available from 17th February
  1. Share Your Expertise:
    • Contribute your knowledge and insights to a community of practitioners dedicated to equine-assisted services.
  2. Enhance Professional Visibility:
    • Presenting at the conference elevates your profile within the field, showcasing your work to peers and potential collaborators.
  3. Foster Collaboration:
    • Engage with fellow practitioners and researchers, opening doors for future partnerships and networking opportunities.
  4. Contribute to the Community:
    • Be part of a collective effort to advance the field, sharing best practices and innovative approaches that can benefit other individual practitioners and the community as a whole.
  5. Inspire Others:
    • Your research or experiences may inspire fellow practitioners, providing them with new ideas and strategies to implement in their own practices.
  6. Professional Development:
    • The experience of presenting can enhance your communication and presentation skills, vital for your professional growth.
  7. Stay Informed:
    • Participating in the conference keeps you up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and practices in equine-assisted services.
  8. Make a Difference:
    • By sharing your work, you contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the impact and effectiveness of equine-assisted services potentially influencing future practices and research.
  9. Discounted ticket! 
    • You will receive 25% off your conference ticket. 

Pony Tales: sharing lived experience

This is an opportunity to share your valuable work, your client’s success and contribute to our community’s growing body of knowledge around the efficacy of our work alongside horses.

  • Duration : 10 minute maximum 
  • Outline: Briefly describe the client presentation and your approach to supporting them.
  • You may invite your client to answer the following questions 
    • What initially drew you to this service?
    • What factors influenced you to continue to engage/stay with this service?
    • Was there a particular horse that supported you? If so, what’s their name and what was it about them that helped the most?
    • How is being here different from other areas of your life?
    • What were the top 3 most impactful/ important aspects of your time with us?
    • Do you have a favourite memory from your time in the paddock?
    • How has coming here helped in life?      
  1. Pony Tales are intended to be a brief snippet up to 10 minutes. These  questions are suggested as a guide only and we encourage you to find ways that work for you and your client.
  • Duration : 10 minute maximum 
  • Outline: Briefly describe the client presentation and your approach to supporting them.
  • You may invite your client to answer the following questions 
    • What initially drew you to this service?
    • What factors influenced you to continue to engage/stay with this service?
    • Was there a particular horse that supported you? If so, what’s their name and what was it about them that helped the most?
    • How is being here different from other areas of your life?
    • What were the top 3 most impactful/ important aspects of your time with us?
    • Do you have a favourite memory from your time in the paddock?
    • How has coming here helped in life?      
  1. Pony Tales are intended to be a brief snippet up to 10 minutes. These  questions are suggested as a guide only and we encourage you to find ways that work for you and your client.

Presentation Format Options: 

  • Oral presentation at the conference by the practitioner
  • A letter from the client or co-created with the client can be read out at the conference by an alternate person (ideal for those who value the opportunity to share their work and their client’s experience, however would prefer not to present themselves)
  • Pre-recorded presentation by the practitioner that can be played at the conference

Options for sharing Images: 

  • Digital images can be shared via reels, Powerpoint etc
  • Posters (analogue 😀)  are also welcome

Please do not include images of clients, their family members, support workers or others outside of your service staff and volunteers. 

Submission Process:


Important Dates:

  • Call for Pony Tale (PT) Submissions Opens: Monday 25th November
  • PT Submission Closes: Friday, 7th March
  • Notification of review outcome: Monday 24th March
  • Deadline for accepted authors to confirm attendance: Monday 31st March
  1. Share your client’s experience:
    Value our practice-based evidence and client’s lived-experiences by sharing these stories with our community.
    Let’s share the stories in a way that protects their privacy and still values their contribution to our growing body of knowledge.

    This is an opportunity for you to hear how you and the herd have impacted your client’s life

  2. Share Your Expertise:
    Contribute your knowledge and insights to a community of practitioners dedicated to equine-assisted therapy and learning
  3. Enhance Professional Visibility:
    Sharing your Pony Tale at the conference elevates your profile within the field, showcasing your work to peers and potential collaborators.
  4. Foster Collaboration:
    Engage with fellow practitioners and researchers, opening doors for future partnerships and networking opportunities.
  5. Contribute to the Community:
    Be part of a collective effort to advance the field, sharing best practices and innovative approaches that can benefit other individual practitioners and the community as a whole.
  6. Inspire Others:
    Your experiences may inspire fellow practitioners, providing them with new ideas and strategies to implement in their own practices.
  7. Professional Development:
    The experience of presenting can enhance your communication and presentation skills, vital for your professional growth.
  8. Stay Informed:
    Participating in the conference keeps you up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and practices in equine-assisted therapy / learning.
  9. Make a Difference:
    By sharing your work, you contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the impact and effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy /learning, potentially influencing future practices and research.


Please ensure all Pony Tales are de-identified.

We look forward to your submissions and to collectively advancing the field of equine-assisted services in Australia.

We greatly appreciate your contribution to building a community that fosters connection, clarity and confidence among practitioners.

Dates: 30th and 31st May, 2025
Location: Glenworth Valley Conference Centre

69 Cooks Rd. Glenworth Valley, NSW

 

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Nature Based Therapies Australia.

Sue Jakes: sue@naturebasedtherapiesaustralia.com.au

Nadine Delaney: nadine@naturebasedtherapiesasutralia.com.au

www.naturebasedtherapiesaustralia.com.au

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