Finding Safety: A Polyvagal & Equine Partnership Workshop: April 27-28, 2025

***********Early sign up special. Sign up on or before April 7, 2025 and save $700 with coupon code EB7APR25. Sign up between April 8 and April 21, 2025 and save $300 with promo code EB3APR25. Full price for sign up after April 22, 2025.

Event Location:
Northern California, contact us for additional details at: Office@PolyvagalEquineInstitute.com

• April 27-28, 2025
• 9:30am – 3:30pm each day

Facilitated By:
Dr. Rebecca Bailey has over 30 years of experience in the field and continues to be dedicated to the notion that authenticity, common sense, and kindness are the most important elements of effective treatment. She is a lifelong equestrian and animal lover who believes animals, particularly horses, have much to teach humans about curiosity and compassion.

Margie McDonald is a lifelong accomplished equestrian and horse trainer. She is trained in classical dressage and has applied the teachings to an approach that embodies compassion and connection. Her work has included promoting self-awareness and kindness between horses and humans. She has raised the conscious compassion of numerous equine enthusiasts.

What will I learn?
Discover the healing power of connection through an immersive two-day experience
This unique workshop combines cutting-edge neuroscience with the gentle wisdom of horses to help you:

• Understand your nervous system's language
• Recognize patterns of activation and shutdown
• Develop practical skills for returning to a state of safety and connection
• Experience the profound power of co-regulation

What to expect?
Over two full days (9:30 AM - 3:30 PM), you'll engage in:

• Direct interactions with horses as natural co-regulators
• Accessible lessons in polyvagal theory and nervous system function
• Partner and small group activities for skill development
• Personal reflection and integration exercises

You'll leave with

• A personalized "Nervous System Map" with strategies for each state
• Practical tools for shifting between states with greater ease
• Embodied experience of safety and connection
• Ongoing community support and digital resources
• A renewed relationship with your body's stress responses

Who is this workshop for?
Open to anyone seeking to expand or deepen their knowledge of Polyvagal principles. This information is exceptionally beneficial for therapists, counselors, coaches, equine specialists, horse professionals, first responders, law enforcement, health providers, educators, and more. No pre-requisite to attend. No prior horse experience necessary. All activities are ground-based (no riding).

Included in Package:

• PVEI Zoom Education (7 hours of pre-recorded topics, including: Animal Assisted Therapy, PVEI Core Concepts and Principles, Role Definition and Informed Consent, Grief and Exploring Perspectives, Trauma Defined and Redefined)
• 2 days of In-Person Training
• PVEI Basic Manual
• Daily Lite Breakfast and Snacks

Full Description:
This immersive two-day workshop integrates polyvagal theory with equine-assisted interventions to help participants experience, understand, and regulate their nervous systems. Through direct interaction with horses as co-regulating partners, participants will explore their own nervous system states while developing practical skills for recognizing and shifting between states of activation and safety.

Day 1:

1. Welcome & Opening Circle
2. Polyvagal Theory Foundations
3. Meeting the Herd
4. Ventral Vagal Exploration with Horses
5. Boundaries & Safety
6. Day 1 Closing Circle

Day 2:

1. Opening Circle & Check-in
2. Navigating Activation & Mobilization
3. Finding the Path to Restoration
4. The Dance of Co-Regulation
5. Integration & Everyday Application
6. Final Closing Circle

PVEI Cancellation Policy:

We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and we aim to accommodate our participants to the best of our ability. Please review our cancellation policy below:

Cancellation More Than 30 Days Before Workshop Start Date:

• You may either choose to apply your full purchase price to the cost of a different future workshop, subject to availability, or you may request a refund to your original payment method, less a $250 processing fee.

Cancellation Within 30 Days of Workshop Start Date:

• No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 30 days of the workshop start date.
• Participants may apply the fee to the next scheduled workshop, subject to availability. Note: Only one reschedule is permitted per attendee. If you are unable to attend for a second time, no further rescheduling will be permitted and no refund will be issued.

Medical Emergency Exception:

• In the case of a medical emergency of the participant, participants can request a refund or apply the fee to the next workshop, with appropriate documentation.

Cancellation Process:

• To cancel your registration, please notify us at office@polyvagalequineinstitute.com as soon as possible.
• Specify whether you would like to apply the fee to the next workshop or if you are requesting a refund due to a medical emergency.

Refund Processing:

• Refunds for applicable cases will be processed within 15 business days of request submission.

By registering for the PVEI workshop, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to the terms of this cancellation policy. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us.