National Defence committee  If I could have a moment to add on to M.J.'s comments, getting back to this Canadian Foundation for Animal Assisted Support Services, they're prepared to create this umbrella over practitioners like me and the many others who are out there and who, like me, are in our own little

National Defence committee  No, not directly. I have worked through a couple of agencies that have tried to make that connection, but I'm finding that I've been relying heavily on the actions of these agencies to make the connections. The agencies are extremely, extremely overworked at this point, and to ta

National Defence committee  That's an excellent question. Most of the programming we do is for a set period of time. It depends on the agency that we're co-facilitating with and their budget. My biggest partner would be the Phoenix Centre for Children and Families, out of Pembroke. Right now, we're looking

National Defence committee  Generally speaking, we don't have direct contact with or recommendations through physicians. Physicians will approach the agencies—Family and Children's Services, Community Living, and, again, the Phoenix Centre—and refer their clients to those centres, who in turn will come to u

National Defence committee  I believe so.

National Defence committee  Keep in mind that when we're talking about equine assisted psychotherapy, these sessions take place with a mental health professional present who has partnered with us for programming through an agency. This is always done with another agency. Approximately 35% of the clients we'

National Defence committee  First of all, Mr. Chair, honourable members of Parliament, and distinguished guests, I am very honoured to be here and share something that is such a passion in my heart. I was a navy wife for 10 years, and horses have always been an important part of my life, so integrating them