Jennifer Garland, BA, MA (She/Her)
Registered Psychotherapist
Program Director and Founder
The Mane Intent
On behalf of our team, welcome to The Mane Intent ! I’m Jennifer and I’m pictured here with Raven, one of our natural coaches.
Horses have helped me take the lead through experiences both joyful and challenging. They’ve inspired personal change, growth and creativity. As I witness their support of our guests and clients, our team continues to gift me with what I like to call ‘horse-inspired life lessons.’
In the Arizona desert almost 20 years ago, a beautiful Appaloosa offered up my first horse-inspired-life lesson. After a run of professional set-backs, I was seeking clarity and direction. Feeling vulnerable and blue, I opened my heart to this horse on a beautiful ride in Saguaro National Park. Then and there, I made the decision to launch my own corporate communications and management consulting firm – The Cactus Group – when I returned home to Toronto.
In 2001, my husband, Chris, and I said goodbye to city living and embraced country life in a small rural community near Peterborough, Ontario. When our two daughters left the nest, we pursued our shared dream of owning a farm. We found home on a historic farm in Indian River, Ontario in 2010.
Then very comfortable with the rhythm of my personal and professional life, I was able to explore my creative passions as an avid gardener and mixed media artist. I was focused on refreshing our farm and pursuing my professional interests with The Cactus Group. Then Sunny (with a Chance of Tornado) found me in November 2011.
To say that Sunny taught me a horse-inspired life lesson does not fully capture the profound, life-altering impact he’s had on me. With him, I began to experience for myself the profound gift of working with horses as natural coaches. Sunny taught me patience, resilience and courage. He guided me through my own journey to enhanced self-awareness and personal wellness. With him, I faced my fears. With him, I realized I was ready for change. He pulled us both towards our new shared intent.
I was drawn to deeper education in the unique field of equine assisted learning. In 2013, I completed certification in Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL™) and established The Mane Intent a year later. I can confidently say I’ve found my passion and a solid sense of purpose. I’ve discovered what is for me my ‘heart’ work.
Eager for training that would complement this work, I’ve completed:
- A Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
- A Certificate in Trauma Counselling from the University of Toronto
- A Certificate in Connection-Focused Therapy® (Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy developed by Dr. Rebecca Bailey and Eponaquest founder Linda Kohanov)
- Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship training in Trauma-focused Equine -Assisted Psychotherapy
- Somatic Experiencing® Professional Training in Beginning 1, 2 & 3 Modules
- EQUSOMA™ – Introduction to Somatic Experiencing® Skills for Equine-Facilitated Practitioners
- Reddin-Global Effectiveness Coach Certification
- First Degree of the Usui System of Reiki Healing
I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
On behalf of my husband Chris and horse mentor Sunny, we welcome you to our rural sanctuary. We can’t wait for you to meet our wonderful herd of horses, goats, donkeys, dogs, cats and other creatures. Our farm boasts tranquil, natural beauty, refreshing country air, rich heritage and an abundance of passion, heart and intent. Come see for yourself!
To learn more about Jennifer’s corporate experience, lectures, awards and publications, go here.
To learn more about the unique experience of working with our horses inspiring greater well-being, watch our video.
Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL™) is a registered trademark of Horse Spirit Connections Inc. used with permission.