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# The HERD Institute

Inspiring Professional and Personal Development

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://herdinstitute.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://herdinstitute.com/welcome-herd-institute/blog/) - BLOG What I Got Wrong About Running A Business The HERD Institute® August 11, 2026 Read More 10 Years of Coming Home The HERD Institute® July 28, 2026 Read More Launching & Landing The HERD Institute® June 2, 2026 Read More Healing in Community The HERD Institute® April 27, 2026 Read More The Fire Horse
- [What I Got Wrong About Running A Business](https://herdinstitute.com/what-i-got-wrong-about-running-a-business/) - Last month I wrote that I'd been taking time to rest and digest before sharing my reflections. What I left out was that I only rested because I got sick. A herd of horses don't often rest all at the same time, or in the same way. Some lie down flat. Some doze standing. One
- [10 Years of Coming Home](https://herdinstitute.com/10-years-of-coming-home/) - It’s been a week since I landed back in California, in our new home. Post-conference blues are real. I’m still processing the joy of reuniting with friends, colleagues, and the Dreams on Horseback family whilst simultaneously missing them all over again. Our Senior Instructor, Brandie Millar, described her post-conference experience as being “emotionally hungover”, something
- [Launching & Landing](https://herdinstitute.com/launching-landing/)
- [Healing in Community](https://herdinstitute.com/healing-in-community/) - Today marks our 15th anniversary of living in the States. What a journey it's been. From Virginia to Ohio to Florida, and now California, this country has offered us countless opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with people and places beyond our wildest dreams. The past month, however, has felt like a tornado of chaos
- [The Fire Horse Moves: A Personal Note from Dr. Veronica Lac](https://herdinstitute.com/the-fire-horse-moves-a-personal-note-from-dr-veronica-lac/) - The Year of The Fire Horse is certainly upon us. In Chinese tradition, the Fire Horse is one of the most powerful and transformative forces in the zodiac. Passionate, untamed, and impossible to contain, the Fire Horse moves to its own hoofbeat. This year is asking all of us to be brave, to trust our
- [When Life Interrupts the Plan](https://herdinstitute.com/when-life-interrupts-the-plan/) - Life rarely asks for permission before it changes the terms. A diagnosis. A fall. A phone call that dramatically shifts a role from adult child to caretaker. Sometimes that caretaking happens up close. Sometimes it happens from a distance, through calls, appointments, reminders, and the constant low hum of concern that never fully turns off.
- [Closing the Year with Gratitude, Self Compassion, and a Soft Exhale](https://herdinstitute.com/closing-the-year-with-gratitude-self-compassion-and-a-soft-exhale/) - As the year comes to a close, many of us feel the pull to evaluate, measure, and judge. We look back at what we did or did not accomplish and quietly decide what it all means about ourselves. Before we do any of that, I want to invite something gentler. A pause. A breath. A
- [Beyond The Legend](https://herdinstitute.com/beyond-the-legend/) - There are moments in our professional journeys that carry weight, not because they are grand or life changing, but because they invite us into deeper reflection about who we are, what we believe, and how we hold complexity. Meeting Dr. Temple Grandin at the PATH International Conference this weekend was one of those moments for
- [Listening to the Whispers: Honoring Jane Goodall’s Legacy](https://herdinstitute.com/listening-to-the-whispers-honoring-jane-goodalls-legacy/) - Like so many around the world, I have been grieving the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. Her voice, her presence, and her unwavering faith in our shared humanity shaped generations of thinkers, dreamers, and changemakers. Jane’s work was never only about animals. It was about all of us: how we live, how we listen, and
- [What Endures: Justice, Compassion, & Humanity](https://herdinstitute.com/what-endures-justice-compassion-humanity/) - We stand now at a crossroads of righteousness and humanity.
- [Rooted in the Rhythm of The HERD](https://herdinstitute.com/rooted-in-the-rhythm-of-the-herd/) - When people find out I live on a farm, I usually get one of two reactions. Some get that dreamy look in their eyes, picturing golden sunsets over rolling pastures and horses grazing peacefully. Others will question how hard it must be to be so tied down, how my days must revolve entirely around feeding,
- [Stand Up, Stand Out, and Stand Strong](https://herdinstitute.com/stand-up-stand-out-and-stand-strong/) - Our Diversifying The HERD Virtual Summit is almost upon us! I can hardly believe how quickly that has come together. From talking to Elizabeth McCorvey one day about how often we were the only people of color presenting at industry conferences, to deciding that we would take the plunge to create this summit, and pulling
- [The Joy of Witnessing Courage & Growth](https://herdinstitute.com/the-joy-of-witnessing-courage-growth/) - Turns out that I love being a tour guide. Perhaps that’ll be my next career! I spent July 4th weekend in the UK with our HERD students and graduates at UK HERD CAMP. Our Senior Instructor and Program Manager, Rachael Loucks, came with me to co-facilitate an incredible weekend of connection and learning. We are
- [With Awe and Wonder: Stepping Beyond Our Bubble](https://herdinstitute.com/with-awe-and-wonder-stepping-beyond-our-bubble/) - Being immersed in a culture whose rhythm differs from your own invites a unique kind of humility and self-awareness. I felt this recently while traveling in Japan. Though my Chinese heritage gives me a close connection to East Asian cultural practices, I was captivated by the nuanced differences in Japanese social customs and expectations, and
- [The Language Between Us: Intention, Impact, and the Space in Between](https://herdinstitute.com/the-language-between-us-intention-impact-and-the-space-in-between/) - Language holds power. Not because it conveys information, but because it carries the weight of our presence—our history, our emotion, our intention. In relationships, in partnership with horses, and in the work that we do, language is not just what we say—it’s how we say it, when we say it, why we say it, and
- [Homecoming](https://herdinstitute.com/homecoming/) - There is a moment—quiet, almost imperceptible—when you realize you’ve crossed a threshold. Not into a building or a place, but into something more visceral. A return, not just to where you came from, but to something inside yourself that remembers who you were before the forgetting began. That’s the feeling of embodied nostalgia. That moment
- [One Hundred Years](https://herdinstitute.com/grateful/) - In this season of Thanksgiving, I’ve been reflecting on the dark side of gratitude. Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that either. My usual musings tend to lead me down the path of embracing gratitude for all the ways that I am privileged in my existence. While that all still holds true, I’m also aware of how
- [It's Time!](https://herdinstitute.com/conference/) - Four years ago, HERD Operations Executive, Sarah Morehouse, and I started dreaming about creating an in-person conference for our community. We wanted this to be a space of collective celebration of the work of our students and graduates, their commitment to their communities, and acknowledge the gift of our equine partners in these endeavors. Then,
- [Aftermath](https://herdinstitute.com/aftermath/) - Thank you to all of you who contacted me before, during, and after the recent hurricane that swept through our lives. Hurricane Ian was a beast of a storm. As the forecasts developed throughout the week prior to it making landfall, we were bracing ourselves in Central Florida for a minimum of a Category 1
- [Growth Opportunities](https://herdinstitute.com/growth-opportunities/) - Find Your Growth Opportunity Here I’ve been on a crazy, wild ride these past 14 weeks. Last September, I applied for a scholarship to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and was accepted in the Spring Cohort. The program is like a mini-MBA, with a grueling schedule of about 20 hours a week studying,
- [Reflections in Community](https://herdinstitute.com/reflections-in-community/) - I’m still basking in the joy of connection post-summit. Deep gratitude to all of you who joined us for our Diversifying The HERD 2022 Virtual Summit! As always, in the lead up to these events, I am so focused on the details and tasks that go into creating these spaces that I sometimes forget to
- [Embodied Nostalgia](https://herdinstitute.com/embodied-nostalgia/) - Last month, I made a trip down memory lane and returned to the UK to offer a presentation on animal assisted services at my old school. I attended this establishment from the age of 10 to 18 and while my time there was certainly not all rainbows and unicorns, it did shape who I am
- [Navigating the DEI Paradox: The Risk of Retreating and the Necessity of Resistance](https://herdinstitute.com/navigating-the-dei-paradox-the-risk-of-retreating-and-the-necessity-of-resistance/) - The paradox is clear: in a time when DEI is most needed, it is also most vulnerable.
- [Illusionary Perfection and Performative Evolution](https://herdinstitute.com/illusionary-perfection-and-performative-evolution/) - Every year, the Miss America pageant captures the attention of millions, its shimmering gowns and heartfelt performances painting a picture of aspirational beauty. This year, my friend Diana was covering the story of Miss Massachusetts for her town magazine and invited me to attend the finale of the pageant with her. It’s not something that
- [Tears Before Bedtime](https://herdinstitute.com/tears-before-bedtime/) - You know the saying “There’ll be tears before bedtime”? Usually said in the context of kids being over tired and over stimulated. Well, for me, it’s not just the kids! The holiday season can bring immense joy and connection, but it can also lead to sensory overload and overwhelm. The twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and
- [Resilience in Relationship: Building Collective Strength and Healing](https://herdinstitute.com/resilience-in-relationship-building-collective-strength-and-healing/) - Resilience is often viewed as an individual pursuit, a deeply personal process through which we find the strength to endure and recover from adversity. It sounds triumphant. Heroic, even. To conquer the obstacles single-handedly and still have energy to keep on going. For me, this perspective simply reinforces the old “pull yourself up by your
- [Never Enough](https://herdinstitute.com/never-enough/) - We’ll never be enough in this equation because the world is burning and the “need” is endless. Which means that the demands on us can feel utterly overwhelming. Cue the vicious cycle of chasing self-worth through meeting needs.
- [No Words](https://herdinstitute.com/conflict/) - I’ve really struggled to find words this month to articulate the depth of pain and horror that we are witnessing in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I feel a responsibility and desire to name the atrocities and to stand against the onslaught against humanity, but everything that I write seems pithy and insincere. Not only because
- [Journey to Alignment](https://herdinstitute.com/community/) - In honor of Leap Day, we’re taking a leap of faith to let the secret out about what we’ve been planning for you all! The HERD team has been working hard since our inaugural in-person Sharing Space with The HERD Conference to create our next offering to meet the requests from our HERD community. Over
- [One Of Us Is All Of Us](https://herdinstitute.com/social-justice/) - I don’t know about you all, but 2024 has me exhausted already! I feel like I’m constantly running late, trying to catch up with my never ending to-do list, while spinning in circles to put out the fires I see every which way I turn. This feeling isn’t new to me. I know that it’s
- [Coming Home](https://herdinstitute.com/coming-home/) - Time. This human social construct that helps us to navigate our existence. So elusive, yet constant. An ever-present reminder that life goes on even when it feels like you’re standing still. I feel like I’ve traveled back in time, to memories I thought I’d lost, but my senses tell me they’re very much alive and
- [All Hands on Deck](https://herdinstitute.com/all-hands-on-deck/) - It’s been all hands on deck at The HERD Institute® this month as we prepare to launch our BRAND NEW Equine Facilitated Learning Foundation Certification curriculum. This Foundation program replaces our existing EFL Level 1 Certification. HERD members please note: All EFL Level 1 Graduates and current EFL Level 1 students will be automatically transferred
- [Questions As A Vehicle For Connection](https://herdinstitute.com/questions/) - I’ve just returned from Europe on a trip with friends to London and Paris. Aside from the joy of being able to spend time with people I love, it was also the first time that I’ve been a “tourist” in London since I was about 7 years old. I’d been looking forward to this trip
- [Navigating Relationships Post-Election: A Reflection on Boundaries, Connection, and Social Justice](https://herdinstitute.com/navigating-relationships-post-election-a-reflection-on-boundaries-connection-and-social-justice/) - At The HERD Institute, we are deeply invested in social justice. It’s the lens through which we operate and the foundation of our values. So, it’s inevitable that our community will feel the weight of the election results—especially when those results don’t align with our hopes for a fairer, more inclusive society. For many of
- [Resilience, Recovery, and Reconnection](https://herdinstitute.com/resilience-recovery-and-reconnection/) - ***WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DON’T WANT TO ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR THE VOICE OF A PERSON OF COLOR. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE STATUS QUO. DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE TOO EXHAUSTED
- [A Million Dreams](https://herdinstitute.com/a-million-dreams-2/) - I’ve often been called a dreamer, an idealist, and an optimist. The implications of these terms being that I’m being unrealistic and lacking in pragmatism. The privileges that I have been afforded in my life means that I possess the internal resources to hold an abundance of hope. Hope for a more equitable, sustainable, and
- [Deep Diving in Rabbit Holes](https://herdinstitute.com/deep-diving-in-rabbit-holes/) - It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that one of our beloved HERD members lost her battle with cancer last month. Kris Miner was a HERD EFL graduate and was working towards completing her EFP Certification when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer. In life, Kris embodied
- [In the Room Where it Happened](https://herdinstitute.com/https-herdinstitute-com-in-the-room-where-it-happened/) - In the Room Where It Happens I never want to be in the room where it happens. These tragedies that keep replaying. Again, and again. I never want to hear the screams of terror, grief, and anger in the aftermath of these atrocities that keep repeating. Again, and again. I never want to feel the
- [Awareness, Alignment, Alliance](https://herdinstitute.com/awareness-alignment-alliance/) - May was Mental Health Awareness Month. It was also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Additionally, folks have also celebrated May Day, Star Wars Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Mother’s Day. Aside from Star Wars Day, when I feel compelled to respond to every meme and greeting of “May the Fourth be with you”
- [When the Going Gets Tough We McCabe It](https://herdinstitute.com/when-the-going-gets-tough-we-mccabe-it/) - What I love about being a therapist is that I have license to be curious about everything that happens between me and my client in the therapy process. I am eternally fascinated by how people assimilate novel experiences, challenge their habitual patterns that no longer serve them, and how in that process we can collaborate
- [Independence Day](https://herdinstitute.com/independence-day/) - This year, I celebrated my first Independence Day as a US citizen. I hold deep gratitude for this land of the free and home of the brave that has become my adopted home. There’s so much that I love about this great nation. The opportunities that have come my way that have allowed me to
- [Owning My Mistakes](https://herdinstitute.com/owning-my-mistakes/) - Not gonna lie - the past three weeks have been a struggle for us here at The HERD! Due to unforeseen circumstances, we found ourselves short staffed during our busiest time of year. Leading an organization through a rough patch without putting undue expectations and burdens on staff members who are already working at capacity
- [Reconnecting](https://herdinstitute.com/reconnecting/) - What a whirlwind few weeks it’s been! We closed out last month with hosting our Level 2 EFL Certification and our EFP Relational HERD™ workshops. This was followed by a quick trip to St. Louis to present at the Opening Panel of the PATH International Annual Conference, attend my first Board of Trustees meeting, meet and greet our Share in
- [Last Christmas](https://herdinstitute.com/last-christmas/) - We’re at that time of the year where the holiday season looms large. I experience a shift in focus towards completion of projects for the year, an intentional closing of one chapter while holding space for what is yet to be. My social media feed is full of photos of Christmas trees and holiday wreaths,
- [All I Want for Christmas is a New Chainsaw](https://herdinstitute.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-new-chainsaw/) - I’ve just returned from a quick trip to California to teach at my alma mater. It was an interesting experience to introduce so many students to the world of animal assisted services, while also recognizing how far I’ve come in my own journey. Being immersed in the industry, it’s easy to forget that this field
- [Where is the Love?](https://herdinstitute.com/where-is-the-love/) - What Carly the Cat Taught Me February signals the month of love with Valentine’s Day. Whether you subscribe to this tradition or not, it’s hard to miss the flowers, chocolates, and heart shaped balloons on display everywhere you go. For this month’s missive, I’d intended to write about a rabbit hole I went down about
- [Stay Awhile with Us](https://herdinstitute.com/stay-awhile-with-us/) - It’s been a busy few weeks at HERD HQ! There’s something about Spring that always sends me into overdrive: new connections, new student cohorts, new programing, new learning, new growth. I love the sensation of forward movement at the start of the year and seeing what I’ve imagined come to life. It appears that I’m
- [The Risks of Connection](https://herdinstitute.com/connection/) - I just got back from an incredible week of reconnecting with friends and family in the UK. England is stunning this time of year and I was able to fill my senses with the beauty of our green and pleasant land. Lying on the grass in the middle of a field full of buttercups, inhaling
- [Naked and Afraid](https://herdinstitute.com/naked-and-afraid/) - Have you seen the show Naked and Afraid? It’s a reality show where a pair of total strangers have to survive for 21 days together with no clothes and supplies, exposed to the dangers of extreme environments. There are 15 seasons of this show, so clearly that says something about us as viewers and our
- [Embracing Differences: Assembling Our Collaborative HERD Conference Jigsaw](https://herdinstitute.com/collaborative/) - We're thrilled to announce that the big day is approaching fast - just ONE MONTH until the Sharing Space with The HERD Conference, and we couldn't be more excited! It feels like we've been assembling an enormous jigsaw puzzle, and you, our amazing attendees, are the missing pieces that will complete the picture, each of
- [Sharing The Love of The HERD](https://herdinstitute.com/love-2/) - Wow! What an incredible ride these past few days have been. One week post-conference and I’m still basking in the joy of being in community. I am overflowing with gratitude and excitement about what will come from all the connections made. Thanks to each and every one of you who made this event such a
- [No Spring Without Winter](https://herdinstitute.com/no-spring-without-winter/) - It was nearly 14 years ago that Alfie came into our lives. This small, ginger, fluff ball with big soulful eyes and the most delicious puppy smell captured our hearts from the moment we met him. It was because of Alfie’s curiosity that I stepped onto the path towards animal assisted therapy and services. The
- [Gaining Momentum](https://herdinstitute.com/gaining-momentum/) - Our Diversifying The HERD Virtual Summit at the beginning of February was a groundbreaking event. This was the first ever summit that was led and hosted by people of color in the equine facilitated space and I’m so grateful to my co-host for the event, Elizabeth McCorvey and to all our speakers and panelists for
- [Love](https://herdinstitute.com/love/) - “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return” -Moulin Rouge I’ve spent the last couple of weeks sitting by my Grandma’s bedside in hospital. She’s rapidly declining, and it’s likely that she won’t make it through this latest bout of pneumonia. It’s serious enough for my whole family
- [Building Upon A Dream](https://herdinstitute.com/building-upon-a-dream/) - Finally! Here at The HERD Institute, our transition from Ohio to Florida is almost complete. After almost six months of back and forth, inactivity, and failed promises from contractors, the barn conversion is finished. Originally, an RV port, the previous owners had created a makeshift barn by putting together some corral panels, thrown some sand
- [Happy New Year!](https://herdinstitute.com/happy-new-year/) - I hope the year is off to a good start for all our HERD members! It’s been a busy month for us here in Florida. Construction on the classroom and barn is almost complete (finally!), and I am writing as we complete our first Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy training module of the year. We are so pleased
- [Season’s Greetings!](https://herdinstitute.com/seasons-greetings/) - Season’s Greetings! 2018 has certainly brought a lot of change and developments at The HERD, and I want to take a moment to offer my appreciation to you all for your love and support throughout our transitions. I am deeply grateful for the community we are building together, and so proud of the work that
- [Vulnerability](https://herdinstitute.com/vulnerability/) - HERD Institute students and graduates are all familiar with a mantra I borrowed from one of my professors, Dr. Theopia Jackson, “Sit with the discomfort, and breathe through to possibilities”. This phrase was revisited many times this month as we begin to expand our offerings at The HERD, and develop new and exciting programs for
- [Changes](https://herdinstitute.com/changes/) - “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” ― Eckhart Tolle There’s been a lot of change in the past few weeks at The HERD Institute. We’ve relocated from Columbus, Ohio to pastures new in Orlando, Florida. I have
- [#4 Questions](https://herdinstitute.com/4-questions/) - Happy New Year from The HERD! The beginning of the year is always a time when I feel called to re-evaluate how I want to live my life. The new year opens up infinite possibilities, and as I reflect on the changes from the year before, I want to step into this liminal space with
- [Marvelous Mistakes](https://herdinstitute.com/marvelous-mistakes/) - As a beginning therapist, I remember being terrified of making mistakes with my clients. What if I did more harm than good? What if my interventions missed the mark, and my clients left our sessions feeling misunderstood and more alone? As part of our training, we experienced practice sessions in both small group settings, and
- [Holiday Traditions](https://herdinstitute.com/holiday-traditions/) - As we approach the holidays, I’ve been thinking about how and what traditions are passed on from generation to generation. What survives, thrives, or dies? What effort do we put in individually to create or sustain traditions that are important to us, and what makes them important? My family didn’t really do holiday decorations and
- [Continuing Conversations](https://herdinstitute.com/continuing-conversations/) - We are now only 2 days away from our HERD Virtual Summit launch! We have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the summit and I’m so thrilled that almost 600 people have registered so far to attend. I’m giddy with excitement at the potential for new learning and connections and feel so
- [More than the Minimum](https://herdinstitute.com/more-than-the-minimum/) - A dear friend of mine and I had a conversation recently about what it means to be seen. Truly seen. Not the type of seeing that means that you notice another’s presence, but the type of seeing that is actively engaged and intentional. For me, this type of being seen comes with a feeling of
- [Gratitude](https://herdinstitute.com/gratitude/) - Thank you to each and every one of you who supported, attended, and presented at our HERD Virtual Summit this past weekend. Despite the technical glitches (of which there were many), the feedback we have received has focused on the high caliber presentations, breadth of topics offered, and discussions that came out of the live
- [What Are We Giving Thanks For?](https://herdinstitute.com/what-are-we-giving-thanks-for/) - When I first arrived in the USA, I reveled in the All-American tradition of Thanksgiving. I loved the idea that this was a holiday dedicated to our ability to feel gratitude, rather than one of commercial gifts and gains. I felt humbled by the spirit of abundance and generosity extended by our new friends in
- [Kumbaya](https://herdinstitute.com/kumbaya/) - Last month saw our first hurricane preparation at The HERD Institute. We are incredibly thankful that Hurricane Dorian spared us a direct hit. I cannot imagine the horrific devastation that this storm has caused for all those in its path, and my heart goes out to all those affected. Thanks to friends and neighbors who
- [Embracing Our Imperfections](https://herdinstitute.com/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
- [Holding Space](https://herdinstitute.com/holding-space/) - The group stood in a circle outside the stable block, in front of the classroom where we had spent the past three days. There was a gentle breeze that swirled around us as we prepared to say farewell to each other, both horses and humans, holding gratitude and excitement about what each graduate would be
- [You Belong](https://herdinstitute.com/you-belong/) - My post last week spoke about the importance of recognizing our unconscious biases. I also want to recognize the intersectionality of privilege and oppression. While I may have experienced sexism and racism in my life, I am also privileged by being a cis-gender, heterosexual woman without physical or cognitive disabilities. I have lived an economically
- [There is Light](https://herdinstitute.com/there-is-light/) - It’s been 15 months since the start of the global pandemic that stopped the whole world in its tracks. This week also marked the first anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. I feel the weight of what has been the toughest year ever of being a trainer, mentor, and supervisor to educators and mental health practitioners
- [A Whole New World](https://herdinstitute.com/a-whole-new-world/) - By now, we will all have been impacted by the global pandemic of Covid-19 in some way. Cancelled conferences and workshops, school closures, social distancing, and self-isolation are becoming the norm. Bars and restaurants, theaters, and other public gathering spaces are being closed. Businesses are closing their doors. Some will survive and some will not.
- [Grace, Humility, and Gratitude](https://herdinstitute.com/grace-humility-and-gratitude/) - I love this time of year of pumpkin spice lattes, autumnal leaves, cozy blankets, and wood burning fires. Of course, living in Florida, we only get the pumpkin spice, but I do love seeing pictures on my social media feed of everything else and daydreaming about snuggling up in front of the fireplace in my
- [Making the Invisible, Visible](https://herdinstitute.com/making-the-invisible-visible/) - This week, I have mostly been thinking about making the invisible, visible. I’ve been noticing the distinct differences in how my friends have responded to recent events. The past few months have changed the way we view the world around us in previously unimagined ways. Whether this has been through seeing the visible impact from
- [The Double-Edged Sword of Anti-Racist Work](https://herdinstitute.com/the-double-edged-sword-of-anti-racist-work/) - To My Black, Indigenous, and Friends of Color: The world is appearing to wake up to calls for racial justice. I say “appearing”, because as many of you well know, some of it is simply a performative act to appease those in their audience who may take their business or patronage elsewhere otherwise. The optics
- [What My Chickens are Teaching Me About Diversity and Inclusion](https://herdinstitute.com/what-my-chickens-are-teaching-me-about-diversity-and-inclusion/) - Yes, you read that right. I’m talking about my chickens. I’ve had a backyard flock of chickens now for the last four years. Learning to raise chickens has been an eye-opening process full of joy and heartbreak. Those of you who have been to The HERD Institute® headquarters will know how much HERD Program Manager,
- [Gratitude in the Here and Now](https://herdinstitute.com/gratitude-in-the-here-and-now/) - As I write, it’s an unusually cold and blustery day in Orlando, Florida. The trees are swaying from the strong wind, the air is damp and drizzly with rain, and it’s the first time that I’ve felt cold in a while. The view from my window is reminiscent of the cold and dreary days I
- [Anniversaries of Grief and Gratitude](https://herdinstitute.com/anniversaries-of-grief-and-gratitude-2/) - Personally, 2021 is a special year. I’d been looking forward to celebrating many milestones with my nearest and dearest. Last month, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. My brother-in-law turned 50 a few weeks ago. Next week, it will officially be 10 years since we moved to the United States, and in June, my
- [You Are Not Alone](https://herdinstitute.com/you-are-not-alone/) - It’s hurricane season again in Florida. This means that we are dealing with daily thunderstorms, tropical storm surges, and localized flooding. It also means that I spend the season on high alert for sudden shifts in weather, constantly worrying about the state of my horses’ feet as they stand in rain-soaked pastures, with a daily
- [The Most Wonderful Time of The Year](https://herdinstitute.com/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year-2/) - This year, in the lead up to the holiday season, I’ve been noticing two very different responses to the challenges that Covid-19 has brought. Many people are opting for a more low-key holiday period, foregoing large get togethers, Christmas parties, and holiday decorating. Others are going all out in a show of defiance that a
- [Love as a Five Letter Word(le)](https://herdinstitute.com/love-as-a-five-letter-wordle/) - The world owes Josh Wardle, creator of the daily word game Wordle, an enormous debt of gratitude. First, let’s just pause and acknowledge that he created this game for his partner who loves word puzzles. Through this act, he provided her with a daily gift of mystery and fun, and a small reminder of his love.
- [The Skin We’re In](https://herdinstitute.com/the-skin-were-in/) - Last week, I absent mindedly reached down to pick up a bag of mealworms from the ground. I hadn’t noticed that the bag was covered with fire ants. Within seconds, I dropped the bag as I felt the unmistakable piercing stings all over my hand. I brushed the ants off as quickly as I could

## Pages

- [Home](https://herdinstitute.com/) - Inspiring Personal and Professional Development For mental health practitioners, educators, and coaches interested in incorporating horses into their practice LEARN MORE GET CERTIFIED BOOK ONLINE & EXPLORE True healing and learning occur through the power of relationships HERD stands for Human-Equine Relational Development, a philosophy we proudly embody in the compassionate and relational way we
- [Our Team](https://herdinstitute.com/our-team/) - Leadership and Staff Leadership Staff Instructors Our Herd Veronica Lac, PhD. LPC Founder & Executive director Facebook Twitter Linkedin Envelope Dr. Veronica Lac has 25 years of experience as a corporate trainer and mental health professional providing her with an integrated perspective to equine-facilitated work. Her academic background includes a Masters in Training and Performance
- [Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Foundation](https://herdinstitute.com/equine-facilitated-psychotherapy/) - certifications Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Foundation For mental health practitioners interested in incorporating horses into their practice. APPLY NOW The HERD Institute® offers Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Training for licensed mental health practitioners. Graduate students who are in the process of obtaining mental health licensure are also eligible to apply. Our training focuses on the philosophical, theoretical, and experiential process of
- [Equine-Facilitated Learning Foundation 1](https://herdinstitute.com/efl-foundation-1/) - certifications Equine-Facilitated Learning Foundation 1 For certified life coaches, licensed educators, organizational leaders, trainers, and human resource professionals interested in incorporating horses into their work. As well as equine professionals interested in developing their facilitation skills. APPLY The HERD Institute® EFL Foundation 1 certification is designed to offer training to certified life coaches, registered educators,
- [Intro To The HERD](https://herdinstitute.com/intro-to-the-herd/) - Intro To The HERD Not sure if we’re right for you? Want to experience an introduction before getting certified? Attend an Intro Workshop to get started! REGISTER NOW Our Intro to The HERD workshops offer a glimpse into what training with us looks and feels like. These in-person workshops are open to practitioners interested in finding out
- [Equine-Facilitated Learning Foundation 2](https://herdinstitute.com/efl-foundation-2/) - certifications Equine-Facilitated Learning Foundation 2 Eligible to HERD EFL Foundation 1 Graduates ONLY! APPLY The HERD Institute® EFL Foundation 2 Certification is designed to further your skills as an equine facilitated practitioner within your scope of practice. It is currently open to HERD EFL Foundation 1 Graduates only. The program is structured to extend your
- [Our Mission](https://herdinstitute.com/welcome-herd-institute/our-mission/) - A SENSE OF BELONGING is the heartbeat of the HERD The HERD Institute® came to life through Dr. Veronica Lac’s desire to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive space within the equine industry. Informed by her doctoral research, The HERD Model™ of incorporating horses into human services offers a cultural competence framework for practice.
- [Find A Practitioner](https://herdinstitute.com/find-a-practitioner/) - FIND A PRACTICITONER The HERD Institute® is proud to spread the work of our graduates who offer a diverse range of services. We currently have students and graduates in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, and Argentina.Locate a HERD Institute Certified Practitioner near you by navigating the map below. Double-click on the map to zoom in. Scroll
- [Belong in The HERD](https://herdinstitute.com/belong-in-the-herd/) - Inclusion & Belonging at The HERD Institute At The HERD Institute®, we are firmly committed to creating a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We are dedicated to creating a safer and more inclusive space where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are a central focus in all that we offer. We want all
- [Become A Member](https://herdinstitute.com/welcome-herd-institute/become-a-member/) - Become a Member JOIN THE HERD General Membership Become a member of The HERD and join our growing community! General Membership is open to anyone interested in the field of equine-facilitated work. Whether you are an experienced practitioner, or someone who is looking to enter into this arena, your HERD General Membership will provide you
- [MYCAA](https://herdinstitute.com/welcome-herd-institute/training-certifications/mycaa/) - FUNDING RESOURCES MyCAA Helping Military Spouses Reach Career Goals The HERD Institute® is proud to announce that we have been approved by the Department of Defense as a Continued Education provider through Military One Source and Spouse Education & Career Opportunities. Military spouses can now apply for funding via My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) to cover tuition
- [Books](https://herdinstitute.com/welcome-herd-institute/books/) - Books Publications by Dr. Veronica Lac Obviously, I’m Not From Here: Embodying a Sense of Belonging with the Help of Horses Obviously, I’m Not from Here: Embodying a Sense of Belonging with the Help of Horses is essential reading for anyone involved in working with horses and humans. It offers a process-oriented, embodied, and relational approach
- [404](https://herdinstitute.com/welcome-herd-institute/404-2/) - Whoops! We couldn't find what you were looking for. Check out some of these links to get you back on track. EFP CertificationsEFL CertificationsAbout The HERD Institute If you have any questions, send us an email at info@herdinstitute.com.
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