Discover the Healing Power of nature with Dreamcatcherâ„¢ Therapy
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Dreamcatcher™ Nature Assisted Therapy is a Psychology Practice, 30 minutes east of Edmonton, on a beautiful 40 acre ranch. The tranquil setting boasts a holistic approach to healing; offering a wide variety of traditional and unique therapies to help children, youth and adults find healing, balance, and joy that contributes to their personal growth.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help people find healing, balance, joy, hope and confidence
through the immediate feedback that animals and nature provide.
We are here to guide, teach, counsel and inspire.
through the immediate feedback that animals and nature provide.
We are here to guide, teach, counsel and inspire.
The Canadian Standards for Development of a Management System for Animal Assisted Human Services
Our Lead Therapist and Founder, Eileen Bona, has worked with the Animal Assisted Services Technical Committee of Canada to develop The National Standards in Animal-Assisted Human Services.
What's New
Check out Julia Smith's Fearless Practice Podcast featuring our CEO & Founder, Eileen Bona!
Eileen Bona: Using Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling
In this episode, Eileen and Julia discuss how Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is utilized in Counselling. Introducing you to AAT, the certification process, and the ethical and legal implications to consider prior to starting your own practice. They also explore the differences between Human Services Assistance Animals (HSAAs) in various therapeutic or medical settings and how to evaluate and screen your HSAAs. Eileen goes over her stance on writing letters for Emotional Support Animals and the legal implications that may incur as a result (click the link above to read about this in our blog!).
To learn how you can become certified in Animal Assisted Human Services, visit our AAS Certification page!
You can also register for one of our upcoming Workshops and Professional Trainings (see below to register).
In this episode, Eileen and Julia discuss how Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is utilized in Counselling. Introducing you to AAT, the certification process, and the ethical and legal implications to consider prior to starting your own practice. They also explore the differences between Human Services Assistance Animals (HSAAs) in various therapeutic or medical settings and how to evaluate and screen your HSAAs. Eileen goes over her stance on writing letters for Emotional Support Animals and the legal implications that may incur as a result (click the link above to read about this in our blog!).
To learn how you can become certified in Animal Assisted Human Services, visit our AAS Certification page!
You can also register for one of our upcoming Workshops and Professional Trainings (see below to register).
Kids PD Day Recreation Camp!
School's out, but the fun's just getting started! Join us for an unforgettable day at our 40-acre ranch where kids aged 7-12 will explore, learn, and play through hands-on animal activities, active games, and creative crafts!
What to Expect: Hands-on animal education with horses, donkeys, mini horses, goats, sheep, and chickens. Exciting outdoor activities and games. A full day of ranch adventures with our Recreational Therapist and her team!
What to Expect: Hands-on animal education with horses, donkeys, mini horses, goats, sheep, and chickens. Exciting outdoor activities and games. A full day of ranch adventures with our Recreational Therapist and her team!
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Program Details:
Program: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Drop-off between 8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Pick-up between 4:00 PM - 4:15 PM Location: 53044 RR #213, Ardrossan, AB Cost: $125 per dependent Registration Dates
Note: A minimum of 10 participants must be registered for the program to run. We also do not have childcare on-site before or after the program, so please plan accordingly. |
Book with one of our intern therapists for 2 free counselling sessions!
Dreamcatcher™ adopts a client matching process to secure the best fit between client and therapist. To ensure you receive the best care, our admin team will have a brief consultation to confirm that your needs align with our intern program.
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Get to know our interns!
Click here to read their personal bios Getting Started Please download the appropriate intake paperwork below and send your completed forms to: [email protected] Intake Forms What to Expect at Dreamcatcher Dependents Dependent Complete Paperwork Dependent Intake Forms Adults Adult Complete Paperwork Adult Intake Forms |
We're Hiring!
Psychologist/Social Worker
Contract Job
Registered Psychologist / Clinical Social Worker / Provisional Psychologist / Master Level Registered Social Worker
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Dreamcatcher™ Nature Assisted Therapy is a psychology private practice located on a ranch in Ardrossan, Alberta. Dreamcatcher™’s population includes children and youth with neurodevelopmental challenges, multiple mental health diagnoses, trauma, addictions, emotional and behavioural concerns as well as people with a variety of disabilities. Dreamcatcher™ also provides services to adults with a range of life issues and people with complex needs.
Dreamcatcher™ therapists work in a natural setting with animals while conducting counselling and therapy sessions. Dreamcatcher™ is recruiting for a Registered Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, Provisional Psychologist, or Master Level Registered Social Worker who is cross trained in Animal and Nature Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Equine Facilitated Counselling (EFC) methods. Experience in other mediums such as Talk, Art, Play, EMDR and Sand Tray therapies is an asset. The candidate will work on contract with the private practice starting with part-time hours with the intention of moving into a full-time contract position. A candidate willing to work evening hours is preferred and work hours can be flexible. Candidates must possess a minimum of a Master’s degree and be registered with their respective regulatory body. Only those applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be contacted for interviews. Dreamcatcher™ thanks all applicants. Please apply to:
Eileen Bona 53044 RR #213, Ardrossan, AB, T8G 2C4 Ph: 780-809-1047 | Fax: (780) 809-1046 Deadline: Open |
Statement Qualifications:
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Upcoming Workshops & Professional Trainings:
Annual 3-Day Animal Assisted Human Services Internship!
Exploring Animal Assisted Human Services Internship
Friday May 29th - Sunday May 31st, 2026
Friday May 29th - Sunday May 31st, 2026
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This training is experiential and includes education about how human services assistance animals (HSAAs) such as canines, equines and farm animals may be incorporated into therapeutic and educational settings and professions. Tailored to suit the needs of participants, this training may be focused more on one species than another (e.g., canines vs equines). Participants attend the training at the Dreamcatcher™ ranch and partake in a combination of theoretical and hands-on applications while exploring the intricacies of AAS fields to learn how to ethically integrate HSAAs into a therapeutic or educational setting. This training is part of Dreamcatcher™ certification in Animal Assisted Services.
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Note: This 3-day internship is an advanced training intended for professionals who work within a helping field. It is one component of our full certification process and provides valuable ethical and practical education about the modality. Completion of this training alone does not qualify participants to integrate animals into their practice!
What We Offer
Dreamcatcher™ is a proud member of the Expert Psychologists Interagency Clinical Network (EPIC)
Click here to visit the EPIC Network Website!
Click here to visit the EPIC Network Website!
“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers.
It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.”
-Shannon L. Alder