Namastables: Building Capacity for the Future of Animal-Included Therapy
“There certainly can be a huge amount of power for anyone of any age when they’re coming alongside an animal who’s had a similar life experience, and they have this moment of, “I’ve been through the same thing, too. The animal gets me. We get each other.”
Kirsten Hargreaves
Powered by RedCircle
About the Episode
In this episode, Jacqueline Wright, founder of Namastables Wellness, Kirstin Hargreaves, Associate Professor and Registered Clinical Counsellor, and Jonathan Boudin, Animal-Included Clinical Counsellor, explore the philosophy and practice of animal-included therapy. Drawing on their work at Namastables Wellness, an animal-included wellness centre and nonprofit in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, they discuss the unique considerations of practicing alongside animals and the reciprocal relationships that support the wellbeing of both humans and animals. They also reflect on the growth of animal-included therapy and Namastables’ commitment to community engagement, education, and mentorship, helping to build capacity for future practitioners and advance ethical animal-included practice in a good way for everyone.
Timestamps
01:14 – Getting to Know: Jaqueline Wright
01:20 – Getting to Know: Kirstin Hargreaves
01:35 – Getting to Know Jonathan Boudin
02:50 – The Story Behind Namastables Wellness0
6:26 – Journeys to Animal-Included Therapy
11:39 – Values of Practicing Animal-Included Therapy
17:11 – Being and Practicing at the Forefront of Emerging Research
28:23 – Looking Forward to the Next Generation
Mentioned in this Episode:
Namastables
#Horseshit
GoFundMe
Our Guests
Kirsten Hargreaves, Chair and Associate Professor, BA-CYC Program and Animal Included Clinical Counsellor
Kirsten Hargreaves is the Chair of the BA-CYC Degree program at UFV, an Associate Professor and a Registered Clinical Counsellor specializing in children ages 3-12 focusing in animal included counselling. Kirsten is an internationally recognized speaker having presented in Portugal, Ireland and across Canada. Kirsten’s Doctoral work focuses in canine included therapy.
Jonathan Boudin, Animal Included Clinical Counsellor
Jonathan Boudin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor focusing in animal included and equine included counselling as well as a certified synergetic play therapist (May 2026). His own experiences growing up with horses significantly contributed to his career path in mental health and in his passion for working with youth.
Jacqueline Wright, Animal Included Wellness Facilitator
Jacqueline Wright is the founder of Namastables Wellness, an animal included wellness centre in Langley, BC that blends mental wellness, therapy and animal rescue in the healing presence of animals. Her work explores connection, resilience and the profound ways animals can help us heal.
