The OCNLR Level 5 Certificate for Equine Assisted Therapy Clinical Specialist (EATCS) is an advanced accredited qualification designed specifically for qualified therapists who want to develop confident, evidence-informed clinical skills in Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT). Delivered by Svítání – Academy of Equine Assisted Services as an accredited OCN London Centre, this internationally recognised programme provides structured, rigorous training for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychomotor therapists, speech and language therapists, and physicians who are ready to deepen their professional competence in EAT.
This qualification is formally accredited as OCNLR Level 5 Certificate for Equine Assisted Therapy Clinical Specialist (Qualification number: 610/5540/2), with 30 credits and 240 Guided Learning Hours. The course is built for real clinical practice, combining comprehensive theory, practical application, professional assignments, and supervised development of hands-on skills to ensure learners progress beyond inspiration into safe, measurable, and therapeutically meaningful intervention.
The EATCS programme is taught by an expert international faculty led by Věra Lantelme-Faisan, MSc (physiotherapist, course creator and main lecturer), whose clinical experience in paediatric rehabilitation dates back to 1999 and who has been teaching Equine Assisted Therapy internationally since 2004. The multidisciplinary teaching team also includes Beth Macauley, PhD, CCC-SLP, HPCS, FNAP (Speech-Language Pathologist) and Audrey Darby, BSc (Occupational Therapist), ensuring that participants learn how EAT principles apply across physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy perspectives, with clear clinical reasoning and structured decision-making.
The course is delivered in a flexible online format while maintaining a high professional standard. Participants complete 240 hours of training, including e-learning, live webinars, a one-to-one online lesson, self-study, case-based learning, and a required practical component in their own clinical environment. Learners submit recorded EAT sessions for video assessment and personalised mentor feedback, allowing them to refine handling, positioning, therapeutic goals, safety procedures, and overall treatment structure in a practical, clinically relevant way. The programme also includes the development of horsemanship skills, verified through video submissions, to ensure safe and effective therapy delivery with strong attention to equine welfare and professional responsibility.
Course content covers the core principles and advanced application of Equine-Assisted Therapy, including assessment, documentation, outcome measurement, client handling, therapy positions on the equine back, clinical indications, equine movement, multidisciplinary coordination, and the use of the stable environment as a therapeutic resource. Learning is designed to be immediately applicable in practice and aligned with the professional standards expected at Level 5.
To ensure strong foundational knowledge, entry to this programme requires prior completion of the Core Principles in Equine Assisted Services introductory course. Successful participants receive an official certificate issued by OCN London confirming the qualification and credits achieved.
Next intakes open for registration on 30 March and 5 October 2026.
Price: €1,150 EUR.
If you are a qualified therapist seeking a structured pathway to become a confident Equine Assisted Therapy Clinical Specialist, this accredited Level 5 programme offers a rare combination of academic excellence, international expertise, practical mentoring, and long-term professional support within a growing global community.