Welcome
to Healing Minis Farm School
Welcome to Healing Minis Farm School—a place where nature, gentle miniature horses, and meaningful connection come together to inspire learning, healing, and unforgettable experiences.
Book a session or a speaking engagement (here or away) with Laurie Hunt—Canadian author, speaker, Certified Addictions & Mental Health Counsellor, educator, and storyteller.
Step into a peaceful, nature-based setting where my miniature horses guide you through a journey of self-discovery, growth, and genuine connection in beautiful North Augusta, Ontario (just a one-hour drive from Ottawa!)
Laurie Hunt (Bowen)
Author of ...
Life Lessons I Learned from My Dogs: A Woman’s Story of Trauma, Healing, and the Power of Unconditional Love
– Jan. 30 2025
by Laurie Bowen (Author)
About the Author
Laurie Lynn Hunt, B.Ed., C.D.C., M.S.W. (Former), OCT is a Canadian author, speaker, Certified Addictions & Mental Health Counselor, educator, and storyteller. Her work blends humour, emotional truth, and trauma-informed insight, inspiring audiences to heal, reconnect, and rediscover their strength.
She is the author of Life Lessons I Learned From My Dogs and creator of The Housecoat Gospel, a comedic–heartfelt performance rooted in resilience, grief, and the animals who carried her through her hardest seasons.
Laurie offers keynote talks, school and community presentations, workshops, author events, and performances throughout Ontario.
About the book
Dogs are filled with love and loyalty… and they have life lessons to teach us too. This rare gem of a memoir will show you how to listen.
Recovery begins when we learn how to be quiet… and who better to teach that lesson than a dog?
There’s a good reason that dogs are used to comfort victims in courtrooms… that they work with therapists to improve a patient’s outcome… that they’re taken into schools or used as emotional support animals…
A dog will never judge you, only shower you with love, loyalty, and comfort… and they feel your feelings.
Dogs are incredibly intuitive animals—and when we tune into them, we can tune into ourselves and find the strength inside us to overcome the hardest things.
Laurie Bowen knows this very well, and she wouldn’t be the person she is today without the lessons she’s learned from her dogs and the love they’ve given her over the years.
Availability
Available for Kindle, and in paperback and hardcover through Amazon.ca
Occasionally books are available to purchase at speaking events and after sessions at the farm.
Degrees, Licenses and Professional Certifications
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Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Dramatic Arts abd Senior English
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C.D.C. — Chemical Dependency Counselor
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Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) — Former Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist Family Therapy
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Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)
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Professional Graduate Certificate in Montessori Methods for Alzheimer’s & Dementia
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Certified Laughter Yoga Facilitator
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Dance for Parkinson’s Facilitator
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Trauma-Informed Practice & Mental Health Training
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Member: Ontario College of Teachers
My Services
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Overview of Services
(Author & Speaker Focus)
Primary Services
Keynote Speaking – Resilience, Recovery & Healing
Inspirational talks blending humour, lived experience, and trauma-informed insights.
The Housecoat Gospel – Live Storytelling Performance
A comedic and emotional performance about grief, joy, survival, and the power of dogs and humour.
Author Talks, Readings & Literary Events
Engaging presentations for libraries, schools, book clubs, agencies, and organizations.
School & Community Workshops
Topics include mental health, empathy, neurodiversity, anti-bullying, grief, and resilience.
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Secondary Services
Trauma-Informed Support for Women
A safe, compassionate space for women navigating stress, grief, trauma, boundaries, and healing.
Creative Healing Workshops
Writing, storytelling, and expressive arts sessions designed to help participants process emotion and find their voice.
Animal-Assisted Wellness Sessions (Optional Add-On)
Gentle, grounding mini-horse and/or dog-assisted experiences available by request.
Programs
Equine Assisted Learning
Engage in our equine-assisted learning programs designed to promote personal growth, leadership skills, and emotional regulation through interactions with horses. Our sessions cater to individuals, families, and groups seeking a unique and therapeutic experience.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Discover the art of mindfulness and meditation in the tranquil presence of our horses. Learn to cultivate inner peace, reduce stress, and enhance self-awareness while building a deeper connection with nature and these majestic animals.
Stress Management and Forest Bathing
Unwind and rejuvenate with our stress management and forest bathing workshops. Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature, guided by our experienced instructors and our gentle equine partners.
Participant Stories
"My experience at Healing Minis Farm School was truly transformative. The equine-assisted learning program helped me gain a new perspective on leadership and communication."
Laura S.
"I cannot express enough how much the mindfulness and meditation workshops have positively impacted my life. The serene environment and the presence of horses made the experience truly special."
David M.
"The stress management and forest bathing workshop was exactly what I needed. It allowed me to disconnect from the chaos of everyday life and reconnect with myself in a profound way."
Sophie R.