HAARTTM is founded on the innate connection humans have with their natural environment and its ability to bring about positive biopsychosocial change and healing. 

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For over 15000 years, humans have been interconnected with our natural environment inclusive of animal and plant life. While this may have socially evolved from function and necessity for survival between our species, a deeper connection has always stood the test of purpose and time. Scientific research has proven that our interaction with our natural environment, inclusive of animals, can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, raise blood oxytocin levels, and, in some cases, may reduce direct pain. These wholistic benefits of our connectedness have often been overlooked in traditional therapeutics. By facilitated interactions with animals and our natural environment, people can experience positive mental and physical effects. Positive results from this interaction have been well studied in children during emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral development; adults in various climates of personal change; and the elderly during emotional, cognitive, social, and functional decline.

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As the industrial and technological age advances, increasing societal pressures are pushing us away from this innate connection with our natural space resulting in a loss of sense of self, a loss of one's inner peace, and general biopsychosocial malaise. Fortunately, mounting evidence in interdisciplinary research continues to show that, by incorporating animals and our natural environment into the practice of psychotherapy, a deeper sense of self-awareness and connection can be achieved to bring about positive biopsychosocial change and healing. 

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NP Jen grew up as the middle child of an established rural family physician and school teacher on the western edge of the Greater Toronto Area surrounded by the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment and vast farmland [respectfully honouring the treaties of:  Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Wendake-Nionwentsïo, Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee), Attiwonderonk (Neutral),  Mississauga, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation]. This upbringing provided a deep sense of acceptance, nature and community as well as an understanding to the importance of wholistic biopsychosocial health - including somatic wellness without stigma. 

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By tapping into lived experiences of culture, family, community, and environment, NP Jen's psychotherapy practice focuses on the importance of nature as nurturer and acceptance for all. 

Unlike many other Animal/Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning programs, HAARTTM is not a one size fits all approach and is facilitated by a licensed medical practitioner with over a decade of clinical practice combined with over 30 years experience in animal and equine stewardship.  We focus on the use of miniature equines (horses/donkeys) as well as other common companion and farm animals and nature which allow us to mobilize our services to a variety of environments.  

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In the HAARTTM program, NP Jen offers animal- and eco-facilitated therapy to help clients through their journey to psychological wellness in two formats: Holistic Animal Assisted Recreation & Therapy for our Wellness and Recreation programs and as Holistic Animal Assisted & Recreation Therapy for our more in-depth Psychotherapeutic programs.

 

HAART WELLNESS and RECREATION: 

Our fully insured therapy animal and eco-wellness program is offered for all individuals either at our host Farm (Hobby Acres Farm - Ospringe, Ontario) or by outreach in the communities of Halton and Wellington Counties.

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We are happy to bring our program to your:

• retirement residences

• residential institutions

• respite and hospice homes

• long-term-care residences

• health-care facilities

• educational settings

• community engagement centres​​​​

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