Paws to Reflect - Hooves to Connect
Employee Assistance Program
(EAP)
What is Paws to Reflect - Hooves to Connect?
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a unique blend of animal and equine-assisted interventions designed to build resilience, enhance self-awareness, and promote mental well-being. Through 1:1 coaching and counseling sessions and group workshops, employees engage in experiential activities that foster emotional regulation, teamwork, and personal growth. With a focus on developing stress management skills and improving interpersonal relationships, our EAP provides customized support tailored to individual and team needs. Suitable for businesses of all sizes, we offer flexible delivery options, including on-site sessions and ongoing support, ensuring employees feel empowered, valued, and better equipped to thrive at work and beyond.
Animal and Equine-Assisted Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Developing Resilience, Self-Awareness, and Emotional Well-Being
Program Overview
This Employee Assistance Program (EAP) leverages animal and equine-assisted activities to provide a unique, evidence-based approach to employee well-being. Designed for companies and organizations, the program aims to develop key personal and professional skills, including resilience, emotional regulation, stress management, self-awareness, communication, and teamwork.
By integrating 1:1 sessions with group facilitation, this program offers a holistic approach to building sustainable emotional well-being and strengthening interpersonal relationships. Through interaction with trained animals—including horses and other therapy animals - employees gain valuable insights into their behavior, emotions, and relational patterns.
The program is suitable for individual employee support as well as team-building initiatives, enhancing mental health, job performance, and collaboration in the workplace.
This EAP program focuses on enhancing employee well-being through a combination of animal-assisted interventions, structured workshops, and personalized support.
Components:
Wellness/ Therapy Dog Visits:
Regular visits from trained therapy dogs to the workplace, allowing employees to engage in stress-relieving interactions.
Dog Walking Sessions:
Organized dog walking events to encourage physical activity, social interaction, and mindfulness.
Counseling/Coaching Sessions:
On-site counseling and coaching services provided by trained professionals, addressing mental health, resilience, and work-life balance.
Group Workshops:
Interactive workshops focusing on topics like stress management, team dynamics, and emotional intelligence, incorporating animal-assisted activities to reinforce learning.
1:1 Check-Ins:
Follow-up sessions after workshops for personalized support and goal-setting, ensuring employees can apply skills learned and address individual challenges.
This holistic approach aims to improve employee engagement, reduce burnout, and foster a supportive workplace culture.
Holistic Wellbeing Through Animal-Assisted EAP Programs
Our animal-assisted Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) embrace a holistic approach by addressing the interconnected dimensions of wellbeing - physical, emotional, social, career, and mental health. Working with animals, particularly through equine-assisted activities, fosters self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience, creating opportunities for personal growth beyond traditional interventions.
This approach encourages participants to engage fully in mind, body, and spirit. Physical interaction with animals promotes mindfulness and reduces stress, while building trust and connection fosters emotional and social wellbeing. These experiences help individuals develop skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork, which are directly transferable to the workplace.
By integrating animals into the process, we create a nurturing environment where employees can explore challenges from multiple perspectives, ultimately leading to improved emotional balance, work-life satisfaction, and mental health. This immersive, hands-on method reflects the core principles of holistic wellbeing - recognizing that personal and professional growth flourish when all areas of health are in harmony.
Who It’s For
Our EAP supports businesses and organisations who want to provide personal and professional guidance and support to employees with trusted facilitators across all areas of counseling, wellbeing and professional performance.
How You Benefit
Easily accessible, evidence-based and effective coaching, training and counselling services that benefit all individuals. The workplace and team becomes stronger, more harmonious, resilient and demonstrates better performance.
Target work-life balance, stress, on-the-job skills, communication, mindfulness, mental health and more.
Studies indicate that 95% of employees who access EAP services report a positive experience and are less likely to take sick leave. Employers also benefit from increased productivity, with a potential return on investment ranging from 5 to 10 times the cost of the sessions.
With over 20% of Australian adults experiencing mental health challenges at any given time, EAP programs play a crucial role in identifying, managing, and preventing mental health issues. These services enhance emotional well-being, improve work-life balance, and help employees manage stress. Workplaces that prioritize mental health support tend to see lower staff turnover, higher job satisfaction, and fewer WorkCover claims.
Why pick our program?
Employee participation in our EAP is expected to be higher because we offer a unique, engaging approach through animal and equine-assisted interventions. Traditional EAP programs often feel clinical or intimidating, but interacting with animals provides a non-judgmental, calming environment that fosters trust and emotional openness. Research shows that animals can reduce stress, enhance mood, and promote self-awareness, making it easier for employees to engage meaningfully. Animal activities encourage staff to develop resilience, leadership, and communication skills through experiential learning, which feels more organic and enjoyable than conventional methods. This hands-on, nature-based approach creates memorable experiences, increasing motivation and participation while building a positive connection to well-being support.
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a unique blend of animal and equine-assisted interventions designed to build resilience, enhance self-awareness, and promote mental well-being. Through 1:1 coaching and counseling sessions and group workshops, employees engage in experiential activities that foster emotional regulation, teamwork, and personal growth. With a focus on developing stress management skills and improving interpersonal relationships, our EAP provides customized support tailored to individual and team needs. Suitable for businesses of all sizes, we offer flexible delivery options, including on-site sessions and ongoing support, ensuring employees feel empowered, valued, and better equipped to thrive at work and beyond.
Animal and Equine-Assisted Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Developing Resilience, Self-Awareness, and Emotional Well-Being
Program Overview
This Employee Assistance Program (EAP) leverages animal and equine-assisted activities to provide a unique, evidence-based approach to employee well-being. Designed for companies and organizations, the program aims to develop key personal and professional skills, including resilience, emotional regulation, stress management, self-awareness, communication, and teamwork.
By integrating 1:1 sessions with group facilitation, this program offers a holistic approach to building sustainable emotional well-being and strengthening interpersonal relationships. Through interaction with trained animals—including horses and other therapy animals - employees gain valuable insights into their behavior, emotions, and relational patterns.
The program is suitable for individual employee support as well as team-building initiatives, enhancing mental health, job performance, and collaboration in the workplace.
This EAP program focuses on enhancing employee well-being through a combination of animal-assisted interventions, structured workshops, and personalized support.
Components:
Wellness/ Therapy Dog Visits:
Regular visits from trained therapy dogs to the workplace, allowing employees to engage in stress-relieving interactions.
Dog Walking Sessions:
Organized dog walking events to encourage physical activity, social interaction, and mindfulness.
Counseling/Coaching Sessions:
On-site counseling and coaching services provided by trained professionals, addressing mental health, resilience, and work-life balance.
Group Workshops:
Interactive workshops focusing on topics like stress management, team dynamics, and emotional intelligence, incorporating animal-assisted activities to reinforce learning.
1:1 Check-Ins:
Follow-up sessions after workshops for personalized support and goal-setting, ensuring employees can apply skills learned and address individual challenges.
This holistic approach aims to improve employee engagement, reduce burnout, and foster a supportive workplace culture.
Holistic Wellbeing Through Animal-Assisted EAP Programs
Our animal-assisted Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) embrace a holistic approach by addressing the interconnected dimensions of wellbeing - physical, emotional, social, career, and mental health. Working with animals, particularly through equine-assisted activities, fosters self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience, creating opportunities for personal growth beyond traditional interventions.
This approach encourages participants to engage fully in mind, body, and spirit. Physical interaction with animals promotes mindfulness and reduces stress, while building trust and connection fosters emotional and social wellbeing. These experiences help individuals develop skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork, which are directly transferable to the workplace.
By integrating animals into the process, we create a nurturing environment where employees can explore challenges from multiple perspectives, ultimately leading to improved emotional balance, work-life satisfaction, and mental health. This immersive, hands-on method reflects the core principles of holistic wellbeing - recognizing that personal and professional growth flourish when all areas of health are in harmony.
Who It’s For
Our EAP supports businesses and organisations who want to provide personal and professional guidance and support to employees with trusted facilitators across all areas of counseling, wellbeing and professional performance.
How You Benefit
Easily accessible, evidence-based and effective coaching, training and counselling services that benefit all individuals. The workplace and team becomes stronger, more harmonious, resilient and demonstrates better performance.
Target work-life balance, stress, on-the-job skills, communication, mindfulness, mental health and more.
Studies indicate that 95% of employees who access EAP services report a positive experience and are less likely to take sick leave. Employers also benefit from increased productivity, with a potential return on investment ranging from 5 to 10 times the cost of the sessions.
With over 20% of Australian adults experiencing mental health challenges at any given time, EAP programs play a crucial role in identifying, managing, and preventing mental health issues. These services enhance emotional well-being, improve work-life balance, and help employees manage stress. Workplaces that prioritize mental health support tend to see lower staff turnover, higher job satisfaction, and fewer WorkCover claims.
Why pick our program?
Employee participation in our EAP is expected to be higher because we offer a unique, engaging approach through animal and equine-assisted interventions. Traditional EAP programs often feel clinical or intimidating, but interacting with animals provides a non-judgmental, calming environment that fosters trust and emotional openness. Research shows that animals can reduce stress, enhance mood, and promote self-awareness, making it easier for employees to engage meaningfully. Animal activities encourage staff to develop resilience, leadership, and communication skills through experiential learning, which feels more organic and enjoyable than conventional methods. This hands-on, nature-based approach creates memorable experiences, increasing motivation and participation while building a positive connection to well-being support.
CARERS - COMMUNITY SERVICES - SOCIAL WORK - SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS - HEALTHCARE
Data from WorkSafe Australia indicates that healthcare and social assistance roles rank as the second-highest occupational group for mental health-related claims, reflecting the high-stress nature of these industries. Workers in these fields often face emotionally taxing situations, burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma due to the demands of caring for others. These pressures are compounded by long hours, staffing shortages, and high levels of responsibility, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
This trend emphasizes the need for proactive mental health support tailored to the specific challenges these employees face.
Targeted interventions, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), can help reduce stress, build resilience, and provide coping tools to mitigate the risk of mental health issues, ultimately improving staff well-being, engagement, and retention.
EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FIRST RESPONDERS
Employee burnout among emergency services and first responders is a significant concern, exacerbated by the high-stress nature of their roles. Research indicates that a large proportion of first responders experience mental health issues, with a 2018 study revealing that over 60% reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD. The cumulative exposure to traumatic events and stress can lead to high rates of burnout, impacting not only individual well-being but also overall team effectiveness.
Emergency services personnel often work in high-pressure environments, which can contribute to feelings of isolation and stress. Many organizations are now recognizing the importance of implementing supportive measures to enhance mental well-being, resilience, and coping strategies among first responders.
VETERINARY INDUSTRY - VETS AND VETS NURSES
The veterinary profession in Australia faces significant mental health challenges, with high levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional stress. Veterinarians experience heightened risks of mental health conditions, partly due to demanding schedules, perfectionism, and the emotional burden of euthanizing animals. This emotional toll, combined with financial pressures and understaffing, contributes to the industry’s higher-than-average mental health challenges.
Recent findings highlight that veterinarians are at an increased risk of suicide compared to the general population. The exposure to cyberbullying from dissatisfied clients and limited access to mental health support further exacerbates these issues. Additionally, cultural factors within the profession, such as the stigma surrounding mental health, create barriers to seeking help, perpetuating a cycle of stress and isolation.
To address these challenges, veterinary organizations are encouraging more mental health awareness and the adoption of flexible workplace models. These include part-time positions and remote roles to foster better work-life balance. Emphasizing mental well-being in training and offering peer support networks are essential steps to combat the mental health crisis within the veterinary community. Tailored mental health interventions and telehealth services have also been identified as potential solutions to mitigate stress and provide timely support to professionals working in the sector.
Efforts to raise awareness and improve mental health support within the veterinary profession are crucial, given the increasing demand for veterinary services and the challenges of sustaining the workforce over time.
CORPORATE SECTORS - HIGH STRESS ROLES
In Australia’s corporate sector, mental health challenges have become a significant concern, with stress, burnout, and workplace dissatisfaction on the rise. A recent report indicates that around 70% of Australian workers experience stress at least once a week, with 27% reporting stress more than four times a week. Tight deadlines, toxic workplace cultures, and excessive workloads are key contributors to these high stress levels, affecting both productivity and employee retention.
Psychological injuries have been increasing, with workers in high-pressure corporate environments more prone to burnout and mental health conditions. Data from Safe Work Australia reveals that mental health-related claims are rising, with these claims resulting in longer recovery times and higher compensation compared to physical injuries. Additionally, companies that fail to address mental health proactively often see higher staff turnover, lower morale, and increased absenteeism.
Creating psychologically safe workplaces that promote open communication, support mental health policies, and encourage work-life balance is crucial. Employers who invest in mental health initiatives—such as EAPs, stress reduction programs, and flexible working arrangements—report higher employee satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and improved overall productivity
EDUCATION SECTOR - TEACHERS, TEACHER AIDES
The education sector in Australia is facing significant mental health challenges. Teachers consistently report high levels of stress, often linked to heavy workloads, emotional demands from supporting students, and limited professional resources. Surveys reveal that many teachers experience burnout, with some considering leaving the profession altogether due to unsustainable working conditions.
A key driver of burnout is secondary trauma, which occurs when teachers provide emotional support to students dealing with trauma. This can lead to symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress, including exhaustion, anxiety, and emotional detachment. Studies show that teachers with less experience or minimal training in trauma-informed practices are especially vulnerable to these challenges.
Moreover, teachers face additional pressures from high expectations, administrative tasks, and inadequate funding. Many report difficulties in balancing their responsibilities, leading to long hours spent planning and marking outside of regular teaching time. This lack of work-life balance further exacerbates stress and fatigue, contributing to reduced job satisfaction and mental health risks.
Efforts to address these issues focus on trauma-informed training, emotional support systems, and promoting well-being practices. Schools that prioritize teacher mental health can mitigate burnout, improve retention rates, and enhance both teacher and student outcomes
Data from WorkSafe Australia indicates that healthcare and social assistance roles rank as the second-highest occupational group for mental health-related claims, reflecting the high-stress nature of these industries. Workers in these fields often face emotionally taxing situations, burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma due to the demands of caring for others. These pressures are compounded by long hours, staffing shortages, and high levels of responsibility, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
This trend emphasizes the need for proactive mental health support tailored to the specific challenges these employees face.
Targeted interventions, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), can help reduce stress, build resilience, and provide coping tools to mitigate the risk of mental health issues, ultimately improving staff well-being, engagement, and retention.
EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FIRST RESPONDERS
Employee burnout among emergency services and first responders is a significant concern, exacerbated by the high-stress nature of their roles. Research indicates that a large proportion of first responders experience mental health issues, with a 2018 study revealing that over 60% reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or PTSD. The cumulative exposure to traumatic events and stress can lead to high rates of burnout, impacting not only individual well-being but also overall team effectiveness.
Emergency services personnel often work in high-pressure environments, which can contribute to feelings of isolation and stress. Many organizations are now recognizing the importance of implementing supportive measures to enhance mental well-being, resilience, and coping strategies among first responders.
VETERINARY INDUSTRY - VETS AND VETS NURSES
The veterinary profession in Australia faces significant mental health challenges, with high levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional stress. Veterinarians experience heightened risks of mental health conditions, partly due to demanding schedules, perfectionism, and the emotional burden of euthanizing animals. This emotional toll, combined with financial pressures and understaffing, contributes to the industry’s higher-than-average mental health challenges.
Recent findings highlight that veterinarians are at an increased risk of suicide compared to the general population. The exposure to cyberbullying from dissatisfied clients and limited access to mental health support further exacerbates these issues. Additionally, cultural factors within the profession, such as the stigma surrounding mental health, create barriers to seeking help, perpetuating a cycle of stress and isolation.
To address these challenges, veterinary organizations are encouraging more mental health awareness and the adoption of flexible workplace models. These include part-time positions and remote roles to foster better work-life balance. Emphasizing mental well-being in training and offering peer support networks are essential steps to combat the mental health crisis within the veterinary community. Tailored mental health interventions and telehealth services have also been identified as potential solutions to mitigate stress and provide timely support to professionals working in the sector.
Efforts to raise awareness and improve mental health support within the veterinary profession are crucial, given the increasing demand for veterinary services and the challenges of sustaining the workforce over time.
CORPORATE SECTORS - HIGH STRESS ROLES
In Australia’s corporate sector, mental health challenges have become a significant concern, with stress, burnout, and workplace dissatisfaction on the rise. A recent report indicates that around 70% of Australian workers experience stress at least once a week, with 27% reporting stress more than four times a week. Tight deadlines, toxic workplace cultures, and excessive workloads are key contributors to these high stress levels, affecting both productivity and employee retention.
Psychological injuries have been increasing, with workers in high-pressure corporate environments more prone to burnout and mental health conditions. Data from Safe Work Australia reveals that mental health-related claims are rising, with these claims resulting in longer recovery times and higher compensation compared to physical injuries. Additionally, companies that fail to address mental health proactively often see higher staff turnover, lower morale, and increased absenteeism.
Creating psychologically safe workplaces that promote open communication, support mental health policies, and encourage work-life balance is crucial. Employers who invest in mental health initiatives—such as EAPs, stress reduction programs, and flexible working arrangements—report higher employee satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and improved overall productivity
EDUCATION SECTOR - TEACHERS, TEACHER AIDES
The education sector in Australia is facing significant mental health challenges. Teachers consistently report high levels of stress, often linked to heavy workloads, emotional demands from supporting students, and limited professional resources. Surveys reveal that many teachers experience burnout, with some considering leaving the profession altogether due to unsustainable working conditions.
A key driver of burnout is secondary trauma, which occurs when teachers provide emotional support to students dealing with trauma. This can lead to symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress, including exhaustion, anxiety, and emotional detachment. Studies show that teachers with less experience or minimal training in trauma-informed practices are especially vulnerable to these challenges.
Moreover, teachers face additional pressures from high expectations, administrative tasks, and inadequate funding. Many report difficulties in balancing their responsibilities, leading to long hours spent planning and marking outside of regular teaching time. This lack of work-life balance further exacerbates stress and fatigue, contributing to reduced job satisfaction and mental health risks.
Efforts to address these issues focus on trauma-informed training, emotional support systems, and promoting well-being practices. Schools that prioritize teacher mental health can mitigate burnout, improve retention rates, and enhance both teacher and student outcomes
