Meet the team
Master of Counselling (ECU, 2024), Grad. Cert. Counselling (ECU, 2022), Master of Public Health (UWA, 2017), Registered Nurse (1997), Bachelor of Science (Curtin University, 1997), Bachelor of Creative Industries - Creative/Visual arts (ECU, 2009).
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Facilitator (2019).
Established Equinnect in 2020.
Health professional
Tanya has been a health professional for over 25 years, working in various clinical, educational, and research settings. Her expertise includes mental health and counselling, general nursing, triage, oncology, aged care, and palliative care.
Tanya currently works in the areas of palliative care - educating clinicians in improving health service quality and improving patient and family/carer outcomes, as well as proudly serving as a Digital Care Supporter/responder for Lifeline WA-Australia, and a Helpline responder for Palliative Care WA.
Horse and riding experience
Tanya has been deeply involved with horses since childhood. Her family, particularly her father, was in the horse industry in Western Australia, where they trained horses and established a prominent horse stock and product service. Tanya began her formal riding lessons at Broadacres Riding School during the 1980s. As an adult, she resumed her personal riding experience several years ago and has recently been riding at Zia Park Equestrian Centre in Gidgegannup. It's never too late to get back in the saddle, whether it's for riding lessons, trail riding, or learning something new.
Tanya has been privileged to volunteer at Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre (CTRC). Here she assisted the team and clients to care, groom, lead and ride horses; provided stable hand and property maintenance duties; and empower and nurtured individuals’ abilities.
Tanya has completed a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Visual arts, ECU) and worked as a graphic designer. She’s also participated in local exhibitions, including winning the corporate identity design for the 2010 Hyundai Hopman Cup tennis competition (Perth, WA). This creative and artistic background adds a unique value to Tanya’s practice and life experience and will further enhance your EAL experience and session.
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Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Registration for Certified Practising Counsellor (current).
Registered Counsellor (Level 2) with Australian Counselling Association (ACA, current).
Registered Nurse with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA, current).
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Clearance #91042120 (Current.)
NDIS Provider Registration ID: 4-HF935MO; Support Class Code 0116: Innovative Community Participation (Renews 07/2025.)
HorseVision Accreditation for Equine Assisted Facilitator Training, and independently-run an EAL program (Current.)
Mental Health First Aid Training and Certificate through Mental Health First Aid Australia. (Current.)
First Aid Certificate (ABC First Aid). (Current.)
AVT Horse Industry Skills - unit set. (Current.)
Police clearance (Current.)
Working with Children Check (Current. Notice # 244211)
Polyvagal Equine Institute PVEI (Premium membership)
Industry standards, professional education, and guidelines adhered to:
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Mental Health Statement of rights and responsibilities of people who provide services and Mental Health Statement of rights and responsibilities of individuals who seek assessment, support, care, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery (Australian Government Dept of Health and Aged Care)
NDIS Code of Conduct
Safe Work Australia
Horse Safety Australia
Australian Horse Industry Council
Australian Therapies Ltd: Animals Helping Humans membership https://animaltherapies.org.au/ , adhere to the ATL Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics
Australian Counselling Association (ACA), adhere to ACA Code of Ethics and Practice.
Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), adhere to PACFA Code of Ethics, Conduct, Policies and Guidelines.
EAL Co-Facilitators
Burke
// Co-Facilitator
Burke has had 22 years of experience as an American Quarter horse. He brings a broad skill set and vast experience to his EAL role. He has worked with people in a circus, in school riding lessons, on the trails, and more recently, in therapeutic EAL settings with Equinnect.
Burke is a natural EAL co-facilitator. Not every horse is suited to or enjoys this role. Tanya shares that she is so thankful to Gail for her support, for introducing Burke to her, and for providing Burke with this opportunity to care for humans using the EAL approach in Burke’s unique and nurturing way. In addition to Gail, he has 3 other lovely human guardians: Leah, Klara, and Heidi.
Burke can support people with no horse experience and those well versed in ‘horse’ or ‘equine’. With his kind and gentle approach, Burke helps you to identify and develop your human potential, release and apply your inner life-accumulated wisdom and knowledge (at your pace), and/or the opportunity to feel safe, respected, compassion, and connected to a large and beautiful creature.
Mabel
// Co-Facilitator
Mabel is a 16-year-old Gypsy Cob Waler. The Waler is a resilient and historic mixed breed horse introduced to Australia by the British colonies in the 19th century. Mabel began her remarkable journey to Zia Park from Prenti Downs, 900 kilometres northeast of Perth, as one of 15 horses rescued by the Outback Heritage Horse Association of Western Australia. Despite being the most malnourished among the group, Mabel’s spirit remained unbroken. Under the care of Dr. Sheila Greenwell in Margaret River, she regained her strength and vitality.
On 27 December 2009, Mabel found her forever home with Ms. Petra Holtz, where she has flourished ever since.
Mabel is now a distinguished Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Co-facilitator, renowned for her intuitive ability to connect with people. Her calm, friendly, and compassionate temperament fosters a safe and supportive environment, helping participants build confidence, develop emotional awareness, and navigate personal challenges. Mabel’s innate wisdom and gentle presence make her an exceptional partner in facilitating meaningful growth and self-discovery.
We’d love to meet you.
Call us for more information about our Equinnect offerings, or you can book a session directly, and we will contact you soon.