Embracing Our Imperfections

I’ve just returned home after delivering an EFL Level-One Module, and am basking in the joy and gratitude I feel for having the privilege of doing work that I LOVE. I feel deeply honored to be able to be part of how our students and graduates go out into the world as the agents of change that they want to be. I recognize the risks that they have all taken to be seen more fully, and am always left in awe of the personal and professional growth that the horses help to facilitate.

In all of our training programs, we encourage our students and community members to fail fantastically during skills practice sessions, and to make mistakes boldly, in the knowledge that we are in a safe environment where learning is embedded through practice. It takes courage to learn something new, and each time we place ourselves in a learning environment, we open ourselves to moments of vulnerability – whether through questioning our abilities, or simply acknowledging that we don’t know what we don’t know, and there’s a lot that we know we need to learn.

I will be holding this awareness as I prepare to attend Sarah Schlote’s Equusoma training in July. I’m excited to be in a student capacity rather than trainer, and am looking forward to geeking out with some fellow practitioners. I’m looking forward to digging deeper into the applications of the Polyvagal theory in an equine facilitated setting, and connecting with folks in the wider community.

Meanwhile, for those of you who have completed EFL Level One training and wanting more practice within a safe environment, check out our new Graduate Live Mentoring Series. This will be especially helpful to those of you who completed your Level One training a while ago, to act as a refresher and/or to embed the skills that you learnt. Perhaps it’s taken you a while to get up and running with launching your program, or maybe you are venturing into working with a new client population. Perhaps you’d like to get together and explore different ideas with other HERD graduates. This is a new opportunity for you to gain more experience, receive feedback on your facilitation skills, and reconnect with the HERD to get some support towards realizing your vision.

Warm Wishes,

Veronica
Executive Director