Let’s Start the Conversation 

Interested in bringing this experience to your group, exploring a partnership, or simply learning more? We’d love to hear from you. 

Reach out to Dr. Kate Warner at kwarner@valdosta.edu or Dr. Gwen Scott Ruttencutter at gwescott@valdosta.edu to begin the conversation—your next step toward something meaningful might be closer than you think. 

Advance Clinical Training: Equine-Assisted Learning & Therapy Pathways 

We are working to expand both equine-assisted learning and equine-assisted therapy into our clinical preparation programs—creating innovative pathways for students in fields such as social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling, and nursing. 

With your support, we can develop certificate programs and specialized training tracks that integrate these approaches into clinical education and practice. 

This initiative will: 

  • Prepare graduate students to incorporate equine-assisted therapy into their professional practice  
  • Develop certificate and credentialing pathways that expand career opportunities  
  • Provide hands-on, supervised experiences that build competence and confidence  
  • Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration across health and human services fields  

At the same time, we are committed to using equine-assisted learning as a powerful tool for clinician development—supporting the growth of the noncognitive and relational capacities that shape effective practice. Through guided experiences with horses, students have the opportunity to: 

  • Deepen self-awareness and emotional insight  
  • Explore presence, boundaries, and authenticity in real time  
  • Strengthen observation, attunement, and nonverbal communication  
  • Reflect on how their own responses influence and shape clinical relationships  

These experiences cultivate clinicians who are not only technically skilled, but also reflective, grounded, and responsive—able to navigate complexity with awareness, adaptability, and intention. 

Equine-assisted therapy expands the ways future clinicians can support clients. Equine-assisted learning strengthens the clinician themselves—developing the habits of mind, presence, and relational awareness that underpin meaningful change. Together, they create a more holistic, human-centered approach to care. 

Your investment helps us prepare professionals who are not only well-trained, but deeply attuned to the individuals and communities they serve. 

Help us shape the future of clinical training—where learning is experiential, relationships are central, and new possibilities for growth and healing can emerge.  

Bring the Barn to You—or Come See What Awaits 
Curious what learning with horses might unlock for your group? We’d love to partner with you to design a retreat or visit your class for a unique, hands-on experience. Whether on campus or at the barn, we create meaningful opportunities for connection, reflection, and growth. 

Step Into the Arena—Just Once, and See What Happens 
Looking to spark something different in your class, organization, or team? A one-time EAL experience offers a powerful introduction to learning with horses—dynamic, memorable, and unlike anything else. Come see what unfolds when you step into the arena. 

Not at VSU? You’re Still Invited 
Not part of VSU but interested in equine-assisted learning? We welcome community organizations, schools, and teams to explore customized EAL experiences with us. Let’s start a conversation about what your group hopes to discover. 

Let’s Grow the Field—Together 
Are you an EAL scholar or practitioner interested in collaboration? We are always excited to connect with others exploring the transformative potential of this work. Join us in advancing research, sharing insights, and deepening the field together. 

Lead Differently. Learn Deeply. 
Great leadership starts with self-awareness, adaptability, and trust. Our EAL leadership experiences invite departments and colleges to engage in hands-on learning that strengthens communication, collaboration, and confidence. Step into a new kind of leadership development—one that stays with you long after you leave the barn.