Deep Dive Learning Terms and Conditions

1. Definitions

In these Terms, “Courses” means all educational services offered by the Schlote Psychotherapy Professional Corporation, including webinars, seminars, workshops, retreats, intensives, and related content (with the exception of the 2-year EQUUSOMA® training program).

“Participant” means any individual who registers for or attends a Course as a learner.

“Team Member” means faculty, assistants, guest instructors, approved providers, or other individuals involved in delivering Courses.

“EQUUSOMA® Student, Graduate, or Practitioner” refers to individuals who are participating in or who have completed the 2-year EQUUSOMA® training program.

“EQUUSOMA® Team Member” means faculty, assistants, approved providers, and other individuals involved in delivering the 2-year EQUUSOMA® training program.

“Releasees” means Sarah Schlote, the Schlote Psychotherapy Professional Corporation, and their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, staff, faculty, training assistants, approved providers, contractors, successors, and assigns.

2. Scope and Application

These Terms apply to all Participants and Team Members regardless of whether they are members of the public or enrolled separately in the EQUUSOMA® program.

EQUUSOMA® Students, Graduates, Practitioners and EQUUSOMA® Team Members remain subject to all EQUUSOMA® agreements and policies, including but not limited to the EQUUSOMA® Policies Handbook (Student and Practitioner Edition, and Team Member Edition), and all applicable Addenda, as updated from time to time. Where there is a conflict between those policies and these Terms, these Terms govern with respect to the Courses unless expressly stated otherwise.

3. Nature of Services and Disclaimer

The Courses provide a mix of theory and practical skills and the opportunity to experience the learning in a bottom-up way, supporting personal and/or professional development in relation to specific contexts and topics. Although the Courses might support an individual’s own healing journey, they are educational in nature and are not considered psychotherapy, counselling, or any other regulated or unregulated professional service. The Releasees do not provide formal clinical supervision, unless otherwise agreed to in writing, and are not a regulatory or licensing organization.

All content is provided for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical or veterinary advice or diagnosis, and participation does not create any therapist–client, clinician–patient, fiduciary, or other professional relationship between any Participant and the Releasees. Participants are solely responsible for seeking appropriate professional guidance for their individual circumstances and should not rely on the Courses as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Participants are strongly encouraged to regularly engage with a psychotherapist or counsellor for personal support.

An EQUUSOMA® Student or Graduate may establish a patient–client relationship with one of the EQUUSOMA® program’s approved credit providers, though doing so is not required to complete credit hours. This relationship takes place within that provider’s independent practice and is entirely separate from the EQUUSOMA® program. It requires its own signed written agreement, and the Releasees are not parties to that agreement and bear no responsibility or liability for any matters arising from it.

4. Scope of Practice and Professional Qualifications

The Courses do not qualify any Participant or Team Member to be a trauma therapist, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, EQUUSOMA® Practitioner, equine professional, equine-assisted interventions professional, or any other kind of professional. The material taught in the Courses does not lead to a standalone scope of practice or occupation that will authorize someone to work with humans and/or other species as clients.

Not all methods, principles, or techniques taught within a Course will be suitable for inclusion in someone’s professional practice or personal life. Participants and Team Members will only implement what they learn in a way that aligns with their qualifications, circumstances, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Participants and Team Members who attend the Courses for professional development (continuing education) must have a relevant scope of practice or occupation prior to registration. Participants and Team Members who attend the Courses with the intention of applying the material in their profession or occupation are responsible for operating within their professional scope of practice or the limits of their occupation or industry, and for abiding by the terms of their insurance as well as any applicable provincial/state and federal laws and legislation.

Although Participants who register for eligible Courses for personal exploration will be exposed to the same educational content as professional Participants, this does not permit them to apply the material professionally without additional training, an appropriate scope of practice or occupation, insurance, or any other credentials or requirements necessary to work safely, ethically, and legally. Instead, their participation will reflect the different intentions and contexts in which they will be applying the material. In some cases, these Participants will act as observers (or, in exceptional circumstances, “practice clients”, also known as lenders) during practice rounds or demonstrations but will not assume the roles of practicer or practitioner, which are reserved for professionals.

5. Eligibility and Use of Content

Participants and Team Members agree to use the material solely for purposes that are lawful and appropriate to their personal or professional circumstances. Nothing in the Courses confers any professional designation, expands any existing scope of practice, or authorizes any Participant or Team Member to provide services for which they are not otherwise qualified or licensed.

6. Payment, Access, and Refunds

All fees for Courses are as listed at the time of registration and are payable in accordance with the stated terms. Fees are subject to change in future years.

Online Courses are subject to provincial sales tax for Canadian Participants based on their province or territory of residence. For Participants residing outside of Canada (Foreign Participants), no Canadian tax applies, but additional taxes may be required. Foreign Participants are solely responsible for determining, complying with, and remitting any taxes that may apply in their home jurisdiction or any other non-Canadian jurisdiction. The Releasees bear no responsibility or liability for any such tax obligations or compliance.
In-Person Courses are subject to tax for all Participants, regardless of country of residence, when offered in Canada. Additional taxes may be required for Courses held outside Canada.

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that certain Courses constitute digital educational services that may be delivered immediately upon registration (such as access to pre-recorded content or materials).

Where access to a Course (including recordings or materials) is made available immediately or within any applicable statutory cooling-off period, the Participant expressly requests and consents to the services starting during that period and acknowledges that, to the extent permitted by law, any cancellation rights may be reduced or lost once access or performance has begun.

A full refund will be provided for withdrawal requests made within 72 hours of registration, provided the Course has not been accessed and no materials or recordings have been made available. After this period, all sales are final and no refunds will be issued, except as required by applicable law.

If access to the Course, including any live session or recording, has been provided, any refund may be reduced to reflect the value of services already delivered, to the extent permitted by law. No refunds will be provided for failure to attend a live session where a recording or equivalent access is made available.

Courses are typically delivered online (e.g., via Zoom). Participants are responsible for their own technical access. No refunds will be provided for technical issues where the Course was delivered as scheduled.

When courses are delivered live and recorded, the recording(s) for each course will be released to registered participants within two weeks of the course’s live offering. The course registration fee includes lifetime access to the recording(s) of that course.

Lifetime Access

“Lifetime” means the period during which Deep Dive Learning or Schlote Psychotherapy Professional Corporation continues to operate the applicable platform and course, retains the legal right and technical ability to host the recordings, and has not retired the course, whichever period ends first. “Lifetime” does not mean the lifetime of the purchaser and does not guarantee permanent or perpetual access. We may retire a course or discontinue access where reasonably necessary due to legal, licensing, technical, operational, or business requirements. Access also remains subject to section 18 (Force Majeure).

If a Course is cancelled or cannot be delivered as described, the Releasees may offer a rescheduled session, a credit, or a full or partial refund.

Nothing in this Agreement limits any non-waivable rights under applicable consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2002. Where such rights apply, they will prevail.

7. Intellectual Property

All content, materials, methodologies, and recordings associated with the Courses remain the exclusive property of the Releasees or their licensors.

Participants and Team Members are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to access and use the content for their own personal educational purposes and, where applicable, for use within their own professional practice, strictly in the course of providing services directly to their own patients or clients.

For clarity, permitted professional use is limited to the application of knowledge and principles learned in the Courses in the Participant’s own work with individuals whom they personally treat or serve. This license does not permit Participants or Team Members to teach, train, certify, supervise, or otherwise disseminate the content, materials, or methodology to any third party, including other professionals, students, or members of the public.

Participants and Team Members shall not record, reproduce, distribute, publish, adapt, transmit, license, sublicense, or commercially exploit any content, nor incorporate the content into any course, workshop, training, or program, without the prior written consent of the Releasees.

8. Non-Solicitation and Non-Circumvention

Students and Team Members acknowledge that, through their participation in the Courses, they may gain access to confidential business information, relationships, and goodwill associated with the Releasees, including relationships with other students, graduates, clients, referral sources, and collaborators.

Accordingly, during their participation in the Courses and for a period of twelve (12) months following their last participation in any Course or program activity, Participants and Team Members agree that they shall not, directly or indirectly:

solicit, divert, or attempt to solicit or divert any Course Participant or Team Member, EQUUSOMA® Student or Graduate, EQUUSOMA® Team Member, client, or referral source of the Releasees for the purpose of providing competing or similar services;
encourage or induce any Course Participant or Team Member, EQUUSOMA® Student, Graduate, or Practitioner or EQUUSOMA® Team Member to disengage from the Releasees or to reduce their involvement with the Courses or EQUUSOMA® program;
use relationships or contact information obtained through the Courses or EQUUSOMA® program for personal or commercial gain outside the scope of their permitted involvement.

For clarity, this restriction does not apply to individuals who had a pre-existing, independent relationship with any of the aforementioned individuals prior to their involvement with the Courses, provided that such relationship was not developed or enhanced through involvement in the EQUUSOMA® program.

Participants and Team Members agree not to circumvent the Releasees by offering substantially similar services, programs, or training derived from or based on the material covered in the Courses in a manner that competes with or undermines the business of the Releasees, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

9. Enhanced Intellectual Property Protection

In addition to the general intellectual property provisions set out above, Participants and Team Members acknowledge that the content, structure, methodology, and delivery of the Courses constitute proprietary intellectual property and confidential information of the Releasees.

Participants and Team Members agree that they shall not, without prior written consent:

reproduce, adapt, teach, license, sublicense, or create derivative works based on the content or methodology;
incorporate the material into any training, program, or service offering in a manner that is substantially similar to or competitive with the Courses;
use any trademarks, branding, or representations in a manner that suggests affiliation, endorsement, or authorization where none exists.

Any unauthorized use of the intellectual property shall constitute a material breach of these Terms and may result in immediate termination of access, legal action, and a claim for damages, including injunctive relief where appropriate.

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that monetary damages alone may be insufficient to remedy a breach of this provision and agree that the Releasees shall be entitled to seek equitable relief, including injunctions, without requiring proof of actual damages.

10. Liquidated Damages for Intellectual Property Breach

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that unauthorized use, reproduction, dissemination, or commercialization of the intellectual property described above would cause significant harm to the Releasees, including loss of revenue, dilution of proprietary methodology, and damage to goodwill, the precise value of which would be difficult to quantify.

Accordingly, in the event of a breach of the intellectual property provisions set out in these Terms, the following applies:

Where a Participant or Team Member uses the intellectual property strictly within the scope of permitted use described in Section 7, including personal educational use and application within their own professional practice with individuals they personally treat, such use shall not constitute a breach.

Any use that exceeds this limited scope, including but not limited to reproducing, adapting, sharing, teaching, training, sublicensing, or incorporating the intellectual property into any program, course, workshop, training, supervision, or service offering provided to third parties (other than direct one-on-one services to their own patients or clients), shall constitute unauthorized use.

Where such unauthorized use involves commercial activity or provides any direct or indirect financial or professional benefit, including incorporation into paid or unpaid offerings, the Participant or Team Member agrees to pay liquidated damages in the amount of $25,000 CAD per breach, or such greater amount as may be established at law.

Each distinct act of unauthorized use, reproduction, dissemination, or commercialization shall constitute a separate breach for the purposes of this section.

The parties agree that this amount represents a genuine pre-estimate of damages and is not intended to operate as a penalty. The Releasees retain the right to seek injunctive relief and to recover additional damages where actual losses exceed the liquidated amount, as permitted by law.

For clarity, the Releasees retain the right to seek:

injunctive or equitable relief;
recovery of additional damages where actual losses exceed the applicable liquidated amount;
recovery of legal costs to the extent permitted by law; and

11. Audit and Compliance Rights

Where the Releasees reasonably believe that a Participant or Team Member may be in breach of the intellectual property, non-solicitation, or use-of-material provisions of these Terms, the Releasees may request written confirmation of compliance from that individual.

Such confirmation may include a written declaration that the Participant or Team Member is not using, distributing, or commercializing the intellectual property in breach of these Terms.

Where reasonably necessary and proportionate to the circumstances, the Releasees may request supporting documentation sufficient to verify compliance. Such documentation may include, without limitation:

commercial documents such as course or program descriptions, service offerings, pricing schedules, or sales pages;
marketing and communications materials, including website content, social media posts, email campaigns, promotional materials, or advertising copy;
contractual documents such as client agreements, licensing arrangements, or partnership agreements relevant to the delivery of services or programs; and
any other documents reasonably required to verify whether the Participant is using, reproducing, adapting, or commercializing intellectual property in a manner that is inconsistent with these Terms.

Any such request shall be limited in scope to what is reasonably necessary to assess compliance and shall be made in good faith. The Releasees agree to treat any documentation provided in response to such a request as confidential and to use it solely to verify compliance with these Terms.

Failure to respond to a reasonable compliance request within a reasonable time, or the provision of materially incomplete or misleading information in response to such a request, may constitute a material breach of these Terms.

12. Privacy and Confidentiality

Participants agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of all Participants, Team Members, and animals involved in the Courses, including their attendance and anything they have shared or processed during a Course, and shall not disclose personal information or shared experiences outside the context of the Course without consent.

Participants may disclose information to staff or training Team Members regarding their capacity to engage in the Courses or their experience with any Course. Such disclosures may be shared within the staff and training team to support that Participant, address feedback, or respond to concerns that give rise to a duty to investigate. These disclosures are not confidential in the same way as disclosures made during personal sessions or consultations but must remain within the staff and training team unless external consultation is required (for example, with a peer consultant, legal professional, or regulatory body). Staff and training Team Members will discuss only what is reasonably necessary and will inform Participants in advance of any private disclosure that this sharing may occur, so they can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

In some cases, the names and contact information of Participants in a Course may be shared within the group to facilitate communication among Participants. Participants agree not to disclose names or contact information obtained through the Courses to anyone outside the group or event without that individual’s written consent.

Participants and Team Members consent to having their contact information shared with others for the sole purpose of facilitating professional referrals, including potential inclusion in a directory or list on the Releasees’ websites (where applicable), subject to the scope of any such directory or list. Participant and Team Member contact information will not be shared with or sold to third parties for solicitation, marketing, or other commercial purposes. Any mention of Participant or Team Member contact information in the context of referrals or a directory does not constitute an endorsement of their skills or services, and there is no guarantee that any referrals will be received.

The Releasees may collect, use, and disclose Participant and Team Member information for purposes reasonably related to the administration, delivery, and improvement of the Courses. The Releasees take all reasonable steps to ensure the security of personal data, including recordings. Confidentiality is subject to legal, ethical, and safety limitations, including where disclosure is required by law or reasonably necessary to prevent harm.

13. Participant and Team Member Conduct and Removal

Participants and Team Members agree to conduct themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner. The Releasees reserve the right to remove any Participant or Team Member from a Course where it is reasonably necessary to maintain the safety, integrity, or educational purpose of the Course, including where conduct is disruptive, inappropriate, or inconsistent with applicable policies.

Where a Participant or Team Member is removed from a Course during its delivery for cause, including but not limited to disruptive or inappropriate conduct, failure to comply with these Terms or applicable program policies, conduct that poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, or receipt of a complaint or finding of misconduct, no refund of any fees paid for that Offering shall be provided. The Releasees shall not be liable for any losses arising from such removal, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential, including but not limited to loss of income, loss of opportunity, or any other financial or non-financial loss. For the purposes of this provision, removal for cause during an Offering is distinct from a cancellation or withdrawal initiated by the Participant prior to the commencement of the Course, to which the payment and refund terms set out in Section 6 apply. The Releasees’ right to remove a Participant for cause and to retain all fees paid is without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to the Releasees, including those set out in Section 15.

14. Non-Disparagement

Participants and Team Members agree that they will not make or publish any false, misleading, or defamatory statements about the Releasees, the Courses, the EQUUSOMA® program, or any associated individuals.

Participants and Team Members further agree that they will not engage in any conduct or communication that is reasonably likely to harm the reputation, goodwill, or commercial interests of the Releasees, including through public commentary, marketing materials, or professional communications.

Nothing in this section restricts a Participant or Team Member from:

providing truthful information where required by law;
making good faith complaints to regulatory bodies; or
expressing honest opinions that are not false or misleading.

15. Suspension, Termination, and License Revocation

The Releasees reserve the right to suspend or terminate a Participant’s or Team Member’s access to any Course or related content where reasonably necessary, including where:

there is a breach of these Terms or any applicable policies;
the Participant or Team Member engages in conduct that is disruptive, unsafe, unlawful, or inconsistent with the integrity of the Courses;
continued involvement is deemed inappropriate for any reason relating to safety, legal risk, or program integrity.

Upon suspension or termination:

the Participant’s or Team Member’s license to access and use the content shall immediately cease;
access to recordings, materials, and program content may be revoked without further notice;
no refund shall be provided except where required by law.

Where a Participant or Team Member is suspended or terminated for breach of these Terms, including but not limited to breaches of intellectual property, non-solicitation, or professional conduct obligations, the Releasees may:

revoke any current or future access to the Courses, the EQUUSOMA® program, or related services;
remove the individual from any directories, listings, or affiliations associated with the Courses and/or the EQUUSOMA® program or related services (as applicable);
prohibit the individual from representing themselves as affiliated with or trained by the Releasees and/or the EQUUSOMA® program to the extent permitted by law.

Termination does not limit any other rights or remedies available to the Releasees, including claims for damages or injunctive relief.

The Releasees may exercise these rights in their reasonable discretion, and such discretion shall be exercised in good faith, having regard to the integrity of the Courses and the protection of the Releasees’ intellectual property and business interests.

16. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Releasees shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, including but not limited to loss of income, loss of opportunity, business interruption, reputational harm, emotional distress, or any personal or professional losses arising out of or related to involvement in the Courses.

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that the Courses are educational in nature and that the Releasees do not guarantee any particular outcome, result, or benefit. Any application of the material is undertaken at the Participant’s or Team Member’s own risk.

Without limiting the foregoing, the Releasees shall have no liability for any claims arising from:

the Participant’s or Team Member’s application, misuse, or interpretation of the material;
interactions with third parties, including clients, patients, or animals;
reliance on the content provided in the Courses.

The total aggregate liability of the Releasees for all claims arising out of or relating to the Courses or these Terms shall not exceed the total amount paid by the Participant or Team Member for the specific Course giving rise to the claim.

This limitation applies regardless of the form of action, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, except to the extent that such limitation is prohibited by law. Nothing in this Agreement excludes liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

17. Indemnity

All Participants and Team Members agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from and against any third-party claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising out of or related to their participation in the Courses or their breach of these Terms.

Participants and Team Members agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Releasees from and against all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees on a substantial indemnity basis where permitted by law) arising out of or related to:

their application or use of the material in any professional, clinical, educational, or commercial context;
any services they provide to third parties, including clients, patients, or members of the public;
any allegation of professional misconduct, negligence, or breach of duty arising from their activities;
any failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or professional standards.

For clarity, any services provided by Participants and Team Members outside of the Courses are performed independently of the Releasees, and the Releasees bear no responsibility for such services under any circumstances.

If the Releasees are required to defend any action, lawsuit, or proceeding initiated by a Participant or Team Member, or by their agents, successors, assigns, executors, or heirs, whether on the Releasees’ own behalf or otherwise, the Participant or Team Member agrees to pay all associated legal fees, disbursements, and costs on a full indemnity basis

18. Force Majeure

Extenuating circumstances are significant unforeseen situations that are beyond an individual’s or company’s reasonable control. The Releasees shall not be in breach of these Terms or liable for any delay or failure in performance resulting from events beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, fire, illness, death or incapacity of Participants or Team Members, medical or veterinary emergencies, death of an immediate family member or pet, technical failures, internet or power outages, labour disputes, epidemics or pandemics, acts of God or public enemy, unexpected changes in the number of registered Participants or in the number of Team Members available to support a given Course, unavailability of required facilities or resources, or any local, provincial, federal, national or international law, governmental order, or regulation, or any other event beyond the Releasees’ control (collectively, “Force Majeure Event”).

In the event of such circumstances, the Releasees shall be entitled to suspend, reschedule, modify, or cancel the Course and/or access to recordings and materials. The Releasees will use reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements where feasible, but do not guarantee that such arrangements will be available.

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that no compensation shall be payable for losses arising from such events, including but not limited to lost time, income, or opportunity, and that any remedies shall be limited to those expressly set out in these Terms.

19. Insurance

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that they are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining adequate professional insurance to cover the following, as applicable:

their involvement in the Courses (and the broader EQUUSOMA® program, if applicable);
when delivering professional services that incorporate teachings from the Courses (and the EQUUSOMA® program, if applicable) in their work with humans, equines, or other species;
when providing approved credit hours or other services to EQUUSOMA® Students or Graduates outside of their role as a training Team Member during Courses or the EQUUSOMA® program; and/or
when acting as faculty member or as guest instructor for a Course, including insurance coverage that extends to training assistants who are volunteering for the faculty or guest instructor when Sarah Schlote is not the primary instructor.

The Releasees do not provide insurance coverage to Course Participants; EQUUSOMA® Students, Graduates, and Practitioners; contractors; training assistants; approved providers; guest instructors; or faculty, with one limited exception: training assistants are covered under the professional liability insurance of the primary faculty or guest instructor, during their undertaking of their volunteer assistant role during the specific educational Course (training module, webinar, seminar, workshop, retreat, intensive, or related service), only. This coverage terminates alongside their role as an assistant and is provided without any admission of liability.

The Releasees will not be held liable for any losses arising from any Participant’s or Team Member’s failure to obtain any required insurance coverage. Participants and Team Members expressly assume all risks associated with their professional or commercial use of the material and acknowledge that the Releasees shall have no liability whatsoever in connection with such use.

20. Potential Risks and Responsibilities

Programs focused on the “safe and effective use of self” invite Participants and Team Members to reflect on how the material affects them personally, supporting self-awareness, self-regulation, integration, attunement, and embodiment. Courses addressing trauma, relationships, and/or interspecies interactions are not without risk, and the same elements that contribute to their unique learning potential can also pose challenges, some of which are described below.

Group-Based Experiential Learning

Many Participants and Team Members are drawn to the Courses because of personal, ancestral, or collective adverse experiences, whether equine-related or not. Certain aspects of the material may be more challenging or activating as a result. Experiential learning involves group activities and varying degrees of social engagement, which may include disclosures about human and other animal experiences; learning about unconscious patterns; participation-based vulnerability during demonstrations, practice rounds, and discussions; unresolved shame, guilt, or feelings of inadequacy that might emerge; interpersonal dynamics and re-enactments; and spontaneous recall of past experiences.

Participants have varying needs and capacities that can sometimes conflict. While the Releasees aim to apply trauma-informed principles and to attune and titrate the experience as much as possible, doing so perfectly for each individual nervous system is not possible.

Participants and Team Members are responsible for managing their own safety and voicing their needs. Participants may opt out of any individual or group activity or demonstration they are not comfortable with or feel is beyond their current capacity. Participants have the right to change their mind, set limits around what they wish to explore, or withdraw consent to participate in experiential components at any time, without this affecting their general involvement in the Offering as a whole, unless it is determined that a particular Course is not the right fit at the present time.

Team Members may similarly opt out of participating in experiential components where they are personally uncomfortable or where participation would exceed their individual capacity. However, Team Members are not permitted to opt out of, or otherwise fail to fulfill, the core responsibilities and expected duties of their role, including their obligations as instructor training assistants. Any accommodation of a Team Member’s opt-out must remain consistent with the operational and instructional requirements of the Course.

Activation or disruptions that arise during Courses are approached as learning opportunities to demonstrate and apply the material in real time. A willing Participant or Team Member may consent to volunteering for a demonstration of working with activation for educational or illustrative purposes, as distinct from therapeutic purposes. The specific concern that triggered the activation may not be fully addressed or resolved during the Course.

All Participants and Team Members are expected to have a baseline level of self-regulation skills prior to engaging in the Courses. Anyone who experiences activation or hypo-arousal during a Course will take appropriate steps to look after themselves without interrupting the rest of the group. Further support may be required outside the Courses, and all Participants and Team Members are encouraged to engage in personal work outside the Courses to address what has arisen, reduce overwhelm, and support integration.

Training Team Members may offer brief support to Participants during class time or on breaks, provided this does not interrupt the delivery of the Course or interfere with their assisting, teaching, or facilitation duties. Training Team Members are not responsible for resolving Participants’ or other Team Members’ patterns or emotional states during an Course.

Faculty or guest instructors are responsible for managing situations that arise during a Course. If a concern arises about a Participant’s or Team Member’s ability to manage their activation in a way that does not interfere with the rest of the group, the faculty, the guest instructor, or another Team Member may speak with that individual about appropriate steps. If a disruption is not resolved and hinders the learning of other Participants or affects the training team, those responsible may be removed from the Course so that the material can continue to be taught as intended. Other reasons for temporarily pausing or formally ending a Participant’s or Team Member’s involvement in a Course include, but are not limited to, risk of harm to themselves or others, receipt of a complaint, conduct that does not comply with stated expectations and policies, or a finding of misconduct by any licensing, regulating, associative, or legal body.

Interacting with staff, administrative procedures and policies, and technology can also lead to activation or hypo-arousal. All Participants and Team Members are expected to communicate in a respectful and appropriate manner, to recognize the layers of complexity that may be present, and to initiate repair where appropriate.

In-Person Venues, Animals, and Livestock

Equines and other livestock are powerful animals that may jump, run, buck, kick, bite, nip, or step on people or objects, resulting in destruction of property, physical injury, permanent disability, or death. Care and awareness must be exercised around livestock, pets, and wildlife.

Equipment may fail and weather or terrain conditions can change with little or no notice, which can be dangerous.

Certain in-person Courses could be held in rural locations. If injuries or illness occur, it could be a considerable distance to doctors, hospitals, or any other type of assistance.

Appropriate clothing and protective footwear (sturdy, closed-toed shoes or boots) are required for Courses that take place outdoors or at farms. Fashion footwear, open-toed sandals, and being barefoot are not permitted when interacting with equines inside the fence, unless otherwise specified by the facility and/or the terms of its insurance coverage.

Experiences involving equines mostly take place on the ground. Should any experience involve being on the back of an equine, a riding helmet is required. Local laws or facility rules may require that people wear helmets around equines even when on the ground. Participants and Team Members understand and agree to take responsibility and assume any liability for not wearing appropriate footwear, headgear, or clothing.

Health Concerns

In-person Courses may expose people to communicable diseases, including zoonotic diseases, especially if these events are held at an international location that has risks for infection (which may require travel vaccinations).

Anyone attending in-person Courses will follow any mandatory directives for standard precautions, personal safety, and public safety (including but not limited to exposure, physical distancing, personal protective equipment, and self-isolation protocols) that the Team Members, health authorities, or government officials might implement between now and the end of any event pertaining to any epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, inclement weather conditions, or other emergency situations. The Course’s format and requirements for completion may need to be adapted or a Course might need to be postponed or rescheduled in these circumstances.

Physical distancing may at times be difficult to implement fully due to the nature of in-person Courses. The Releasees will engage in appropriate cleaning and/or sanitizing of frequently touched areas and objects. However, the Releasees cannot guarantee that anyone will not contract COVID-19 or other communicable or zoonotic diseases.

Participants and Team Members agree that they will not attend an in-person Course if they have either had (A) a positive COVID-19 test result, or (B) any of the following symptoms of illness in the week prior to the start of the Course: fever, chills, shortness of breath, sore throat, difficulty breathing, or coughing. If any of these occur, the Participant or Team Member agree that they will only attend if they have a doctor’s note confirming their recovery, a negative test result, or the recommended quarantine period has passed. If any such symptoms arise or if the Participant or Team Member tests positive for COVID-19 or any other emergent illness of public health concern during an in-person event, they will advise the teaching team and immediately self-isolate. Participants and Team Members understand that their ability to continue to participate in the in-person Course (even with accommodation) is not a guarantee, depends on several variables, and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Research and anecdotal evidence indicate that chronic stress and trauma can affect a developing foetus and can trigger or exacerbate complex health symptoms. A person’s resilience can also be diminished because of adversity, serious health issues, or the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy, resulting in greater vulnerability or a reduced capacity to engage with complex material without feeling overwhelmed.

Participants and Team Members who have significant unresolved trauma, are currently facing a crisis, are pregnant, have recently had surgery they are still recovering from, are experiencing symptoms from a head injury or other injury, or have other serious health conditions, are encouraged to discuss the Course with a qualified healthcare provider prior to confirming or postponing their involvement. Involvement may be limited or adapted accordingly if a concern of this nature is disclosed to the training team.

21. Policies and Updates

The Releasees reserve the right to update or modify these Terms and any referenced policies at their discretion. Any material changes will be communicated on reasonable notice, including by email or by posting on the Releasees’ websites, and will apply prospectively from the date of such notice.

Continued participation in any Course following notice of updated Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes.

EQUUSOMA® Students, Graduates, Practitioners, and EQUUSOMA® Team Members remain bound by the EQUUSOMA® Policies Handbook (Student and Practitioner Edition, and Team Member Edition), and all applicable Addenda, including policies relating to conduct, confidentiality, scope of practice, intellectual property, participation requirements, and program standards. These policies form an integral part of the contractual framework governing EQUUSOMA® Students, Graduates, Practitioners, and EQUUSOMA® Team Members and continue to apply in addition to these Terms.

These Terms supersede and take precedence over any prior or contemporaneous terms, conditions, policies, or agreements governing the same subject matter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where an earlier term or condition addresses a specific subject matter in greater detail or imposes more stringent obligations, restrictions, or standards, that earlier term or condition shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. To the extent possible, all terms shall be interpreted to be complementary and not conflicting.

22. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Courses shall be resolved by binding arbitration in Ontario, except where prohibited by law.

23. Entire Agreement

These Terms (including the documents referred to in Term 21 Policies and Updates where applicable) constitute the entire agreement between the Participant or Team Member and the Releasees with respect to the Courses and supersede all prior agreements, representations, or understandings relating to the subject matter.

Participant and Team Member Acknowledgement

Through their participation in the Courses, each Participant and Team Member confirms that they are fully capable of engaging in activities involving humans, equines, and other animals as applicable, and takes responsibility for managing their own safety, voicing their needs and concerns in a timely manner, and informing the Releasees and training team of any known or reasonably foreseeable limits on their ability to safely participate.

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that no amount of caution, experience, or instruction can eliminate all risks, that potential harm may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others or of themselves, and that the possible benefits of participation are greater than the risks assumed. Participants and Team Members confirm that they have read this agreement in full, understand its terms, assume all risks described herein and any others not presently known, and have chosen to participate voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently, without any inducement, assurance, guarantee, or representation having been made.

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AUDIOVISUAL AND MEDIA RELEASE

Governing Document

This Audiovisual and Media Release is part of the Deep Dive Learning Courses Terms and Conditions and applies to all Course Participants and Team Members. For individuals who are also EQUUSOMA® Students, Graduates, Practitioners, or EQUUSOMA® Team Members, this Release is subordinate to the EQUUSOMA® Policies Handbooks and Addenda (the “Handbook”). In the event of any conflict between this Release and the Handbook, the Handbook prevails for those individuals. For all other Participants and Team Members, this Release governs and applies independently. Nothing in this Release grants the Releasees any rights that exceed those permitted under applicable law or, where applicable, the Handbook.

Nature and Purpose of Recordings

Video recordings of online or in-person Courses, including but not limited to webinars, seminars, workshops, retreats, intensives, or related educational services, may be recorded in a manner consistent with the above, depending on their format.

The primary purpose of video recordings is to support learning and integration of the material. The purpose of photography is educational (such as enhancing video recordings or serving as a reference during training) and marketing (such as illustrating email newsletters and social media posts).

Participation and Consent

Video recording consent is a condition of participation in the Courses. Participants and Team Members acknowledge that complete exclusion from video recordings cannot be guaranteed and that editing a Participant or Team Member out of all appearances may not be technically possible. Participants or Team Members who are not comfortable with this may decline involvement.

Photography consent is not a condition of participation. Participants and Team Members may opt out of being photographed (in accordance with the Handbook, if applicable).

By participating, each Participant and Team Member consents only to recording in the manner described in this Release (and the Handbook, if applicable). Consent to use of video recordings is limited to internal program use, training and educational materials available via the portal, program delivery and professional development, and the internal video library. This Release does not authorize use of video recordings in advertising, external marketing, public distribution, or commercial resale to third parties without separate written permission. Photography may be used for educational and marketing purposes as described above.

Participant and Team Member Control

Online Participants may mute their video or change their display name following attendance verification to limit their visibility in recordings or screenshots. Participants and Team Members may also leave before a group screenshot or photograph is taken. However, during online breakout sessions (which are not recorded or photographed), Participants must keep their video on and remain visible for attendance and participation purposes, except as otherwise discussed during setup for practice rounds.

Withdrawal of Consent

EQUUSOMA® Students and EQUUSOMA® Team Members may withdraw consent for future recordings in accordance with the Handbook. All other Participants and Team Members may withdraw consent by providing reasonable notice to the Releasees.

In all cases, recordings created while valid consent was in place cannot be retroactively invalidated, altered, or deleted, and withdrawal of consent does not affect any lawful prior use.

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that if consent is withdrawn and future recording cannot reasonably be avoided, continued participation in the Course may no longer be possible. In such circumstances, any applicable refund and payment policies shall apply.

Waiver and Release

Participants and Team Members acknowledge that recordings are the property of the Releasees and grant the Releasees the irrevocable right to use the recordings as described above. Participants and Team Members release and forever discharge the Releasees from all claims related to the use of their name, image, or voice as described in this Release, including any claims for libel, slander, invasion of privacy, copyright or trademark violation, right of publicity, or false light.

No compensation is payable to any Participant or Team Member in connection with any use of recordings as described in this Release. This Release is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada.

These Deep Dive Learning Terms and Conditions are in effect as of April 19, 2026 and were last updated on September 10, 2026.