All authorized EASEL® methodology training programs in Finland and abroad are organized by EASEL Training oy and have a certified EASEL®Trainer as the chief educator. EASEL Training may collaborate with local organizers but the training staff is provided by EASEL Training.
EASEL®Facilitator, EASEL®Coach, and EASEL®Trainer are titles for persons certified by Oy Cavesson Ltd or EASEL Training oy in the use of EASEL® methodology as part of own professional work.
The certified people have been tested on integrating EASEL®’s theoretical framework, process descriptions, experiential activities, psychoeducational tools and facilitation principles into own professional framework and principles of working with own clients. Those certified to also work with dogs or horses in EASEL® have been tested in their animal handling skills, relationship with own horse and/or dog and the level of specific EASEL® training of the animal. The facilitators themselves are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of own work quality, ethics and professional integrity already during the training.

Certified EASEL®Facilitators may use EASEL® only in working with clients he or she is by other education credentialed (licensed, certified, etc.) to legally and independently offer services to. Alternatively, the participant can team up with a suitable professional. Facilitators maintain active membership in national / international professional organization(s) of own field(s).

To guarantee quality of own services, facilitators will regularly evaluate own professional strengths and limitations, and actively participate in continuing education and work counseling / supervision by a cert. supervisor preferably personally familiar with EASEL®.

Facilitators are responsible for marketing their services and using animal assisted activities only within limits of own competence and after having passed EASEL® Facilitator’s test with own dog and/or horse. It is the responsibility of the Facilitator to provide clients the necessary documentation of licensure and insurance, to comply with their country laws, procedures and protocols of own professions, and ethics and standards set by relevant organizations.

Facilitator is professional in handling the animals he or she works with. Facilitators are responsible for ensuring that all personnel and volunteers offering with Facilitators dog or equine assisted activities are assessed for their ability to work with the dogs and horses and that particular client population, oriented to the program offered, oriented to the needs of the specific clients with whom they assist and involved in a post-session processing.
Facilitators strive to promote and model through own example Ethical Horsemanship and Dog training.

Facilitators agree to share information and experiences to support each other and benefit the field at large. The Facilitators treat other professionals with respect. Facilitators represent their entire international field of colleagues, and are committed to advance and model the high standards of EASEL training programs and the ethical treatment of other people and animals, at work and in their private lives.

Facilitators look after the physical, mental and emotional well-being and and safety of their clients and possible animal partners. Those certified to also work with dogs or horses in EASEL® have been tested in their animal handling skills, relationship with own horse and/or dog and the level of specific EASEL® training of the animal.

General codes in Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy
As written in 2005 as EFMHA (Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, part of Narha currently called Path International) code of ethics with Mari Louhi-Lehtiö serving as a consultant to the Ethics Committee. May vary a little depending on the organization and their emphasis.

The guidelines expressed in the Code are not to be considered all-inclusive of situations that could evolve under a specific principle and are designed to be additive to such other professional codes as may be applicable (such as: psychology, social work, nursing, etc.).
Further, this Code is meant to be complementary to other documents.

The Facilitator respects the rights and dignity of all individuals (human and animal) and promotes well-being for all involved.

Guidelines:
1.1 The Facilitator is guided by consideration for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of all concerned.

1.2 The Facilitator accurately represents their level of expertise, experience, education,
and actual practice. The Facilitator accurately represents to the participant(s) possible benefits, potential outcomes, expected activities, risks and limitations.

1.3 The Facilitator serves individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation.

1.4 The Facilitator respects the participant’s right to privacy and discloses information only where appropriate, with a valid written consent from the participant or in response to a legal mandate and is in compliance with other regulations where appropriate.

1.5 The Facilitator avoids dual or multiple relationships (facilitator and e.g. friend / employer / lover) with participants or former participants if there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the participant. In situations where dual relationships are unavoidable, the Facilitator is responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and sensitive boundaries.

1.6 The Facilitator assesses the clinical advisability and/or appropriateness of physical touch or a hug, in order to avoid misinterpretation and minimize the possibility of psychological harm.

The Facilitator accepts responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment and professional
competence.

Guidelines:
2.1 The Facilitator engages in best practices of their field in all phases of their work with individuals.

2.2 The Facilitator offers services within the scope of their practice, competence, education, training, and expertise.

2.3 The Facilitator is responsible for continued personal growth, continuing relevant education and professional skill development.

2.4 The Facilitator agrees to address own personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse or mental health difficulties which may interfere with their professional judgment or performance. The Facilitator agrees to immediately seek consultation and take appropriate remedial action should their judgment or performance become impaired and refrain from facilitation work especially with horses until facilitation can be safely and professionally continued.

2.5 The Facilitator demonstrates openness to, and respect for, other colleagues and professionals.

The Facilitator acknowledges and responds to the necessity of responsible care for
their equine colleagues, recognizing the unique character, psychology, physiology, desires and needs of the equine co-facilitator.

Guidelines:
3.1 The Facilitator utilizes language which reflects a collegial relationship.

3.2 The Facilitator designs safe, mutually beneficial human and horse interactions. The Facilitator avoids intentionally harassing, intimidating, frightening, or confusing the horse.

3.3 The Facilitator is aware that every interaction with the horse is teaching also the animal something, whether purposeful or incidental and that this serendipitous learning is taking place in all observers of the interaction, both human and horse. Consequently, the Facilitator models appropriate interaction.

3.4 The Facilitator demonstrates the highest level of animal care, understanding
and responding to the horse’s needs for socialization, play, turnout, time off, and retirement.

3.5 The Facilitator assesses and addresses the need to include other professionals to provide medical, safety, and other support for the horses.

The Facilitator demonstrates responsibility for contributing to the broader knowledge base
of the profession through teaching, supervision, consultation, mentoring, conducting and/or supporting research, and publishing, or otherwise contributing to the development of the profession.

Guidelines:
4.1 The Facilitator engages in providing and receiving individual or peer supervision, and/or staffing consultation.

4.2 The Facilitator engages in an annual meeting with colleagues to formally review their compliance with this code in proactive fashion.

4.3 The Facilitator presents this ethical code to all human personnel, outlines their collective obligation to support it, and addresses any questions or concerns pertaining to it.

The Facilitator honors all professional and volunteer commitments.

Guidelines:
5.1 The Facilitator negotiates and clarifies the fee structure and payment policy prior to the initiation of service, and charges only for services rendered.

5.2 The Facilitator accurately describes services provided with legally recognized terminology, consistent with their credentials.

5.3 The Facilitator follows all standards and codes of conduct of own profession, and maintains relevant licenses, insurances and memberships necessary for own professional work at the highest standard.

The Facilitator abides by the Standards and Guidelines of own profession, and Local Laws.

The Facilitator recognizes the need to support this Code for the protection of participants,
horses, the public, and the profession from unethical, incompetent, or illegal practice.

Guidelines:
7.1 The Facilitator takes active steps to ensure that the work environment and culture in which
horses reside and services are taking place is compliant and congruent with this ethics code.

7.2 The Facilitator accepts the responsibility to discuss the suspect unethical behavior directly with the parties involved and, if that fails, to take appropriate actions.

7.3 The Facilitator’s failure to report a clear violation of this code by another Facilitator constitutes a violation of this ethical principle.

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