Keri-Ann Smith - Registered Psychologist & Certified Equine Wellbeing Practitioner
Keri-Ann was raised in Perth, Western Australia. She has been obsessed with horses from as far back as she can recall, and started to ride at 9 years of age. Between 9 and 15y she owned her own horses and engaged in various horse-related activities and competitions. However, by 16y she took a different direction in life after the sudden and unexpected loss of the horse she was riding at the time. For the next 3 decades she focused on her family, career, and showing, breeding and training pedigree dogs.
In 2002, Keri-Ann decided to go back to University and study Psychology even though she had 2yo and 5yo sons to raise. She thrived in this environment and graduated in 2007 with 1st Class Honours, a minor in Child Development, and an award for academic excellence (Vice Chancellors Award of Commendation for Academic Excellence). By 2011, Keri-Ann had completed the requirements to be formally recognized as a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and a few years ago she became a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Keri-Ann has worked in many different roles over the years, starting with the Department of Corrective Services (now Department of Justice) conducting assessments on offenders in prison, providing counselling, and delivering offender rehabilitation programs. In 2015, Keri-Ann began working for the Department of Child Protection (now Department of Communities) Family and Domestic Violence Unit where she gained specialist skills as a practitioner, policy maker and trainer.
As a specialist family and domestic violence (FDV) practitioner, Keri-Ann has a sound understanding of the complexities of FDV for both survivors (adult and children) and perpetrators, and understand how these dynamics can play out across a range of contexts. These skills have led to many requests for FDV training which she has developed and delivered to a variety of professionals. Of note is the two day, Multi Agency Risk Assessment and Management course offered by the Department of Communities (Learning and Development Centre) which Keri-Ann designed and facilitates. Keri-Ann is also a founding member of the Domestic Abuse and Resource Training group which is the leading body for FDV and sexual violence training and consulting in Western Australia. DART aims to eliminate FDV and sexual violence through leadership, advocacy, and best practice responses.
As a psychologist, Her approach is client-centred, and strengths based. Keri-Ann usually provides medium to long term therapy according to the needs of the individual and draws from a variety of treatment methods including, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing. Keri-Ann is a Certified Equine Assisted Wellbeing Practitioner working in conjunction with horses to promote mental health and healing from trauma.
Although Keri-Ann had a beautiful family, successful career and was successful in the dog show world, having bred and handled Best In Show winners on multiple occasions, she never lost her love for horses, and there always seemed to be something missing in her life - a hole that just couldn't be filled. So, at 46y, she returned to horse riding and by February 2022, she had acquired a pony "for her son".
It was shortly after getting Xander, that she met her friend Gemma. There was an instant connection and friendship, built on mutual admiration and trust, so there was never any hesitation when they decided to combine their skills and passions and create EquiConnect Wellbeing & Therapy. It was also no surprise to anyone who knew Keri-Ann that she fell in love with, and quickly purchased one of Gemma's home-bred horses, GL Sacred Beginnings (Finn). Finn is still only young but is already developing into a clever, sound and respectful horse - so much so, that he is now one of the therapy horses.
Gemma Leef - Certified Equine Assisted Wellbeing Practitioner, Horse Breeder & Trainer
Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand Gemma had the privilege of being involved with horses from the age of 4 years old. With over 35 years of experience with horses Gemma has had a very interesting varied work life with horses over that time.
In her late teen years she finished school and went on to study Equine Management & Care. Gemma then became a working pupil for one of the top Warmblood Studs in New Zealand at the time. Gaining invaluable knowledge learning the art of breaking in young horses, selecting mares and stallions suited to breeding and educating dressage horses. This is when the love of dressage really became such an important part of her life. Gemma moved on to work for a top dressage trainer North of Auckland where she educated young horses and competed on the weekends.
After a major tragedy in her life Gemma took a break to travel to NSW and spent a significant amount of time in Sydney working. Upon return to New Zealand with a new found ambition to help and support people. She took on a role working as a tutor in alternative education with at risk youth and adults returning to learning, ranging in ages from 15 to 35 years old. All who came from low socio economic areas. Gemma specialised in teaching verbal analogies, numerical reasoning & abstract reasoning, physical fitness, employment skills & personal growth to support her students in gaining employment in the New Zealand Armed Forces.
During this time she met her husband and took a short break from horses to have her children. In 2011 Gemma and her family moved to Perth and from there began her Equestrian business educating horses and selling on behalf. In 2016 she starting her breeding programme of high quality sporthorses, something she had dreamed of doing since a child. Find out more about Gemma's Equestrian business here: gemmaleefequestrian.com.au
When her friend Keri-Ann Smith a registered psychologist suggested coming together as a team and offering Equine Therapy, bringing their love of horses together with their passion for helping people to better their lives it was an easy decision and that's when EquiConnect Wellbeing & Therapy was born.
Gemma is most passionate about teaching life skills, helping young people specialising in school leavers transitioning into employment. Gemma is also dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence.
Leigh Green - Certified Equine Assisted Wellbeing Practitioner & Registered Vet Nurse
From the time I could walk, my whole life was about horses. They always put a smile on my face when no one else could. That love of horses was a little grey pony called Bilbo. I was so obsessed that I would take my bridle to school in my school bag just so I didn't have to go home first (I lived right next door to Bilbo's paddock). He was a little devil but not once did I ever think of my life without him in it.
I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and at the age of 8 my parents separated. I went to live with my mum, this is when my world came crashing down and my childhood became a traumatic one. My only saving was my pony. I spent countless hours with this little grey pony. He listened to me crying, listened to me when I told him about how much anger I had felt. He was just there and he made me smile.
At the age of 18, I moved to Perth to start a new life and once again I gravitated to horses. In 1991 I began a jockeys apprenticeship and started my new life with racehorses. During this time I learnt a lot about equine management, training & equine nutrition.
In 1994 I began working as a veterinary nurse. This enabled me to use my love of horses in a patient setting. This is where I realised that I could connect with clients and easily understand how they were feeling while their little fur babies were in hospital. This connection helped put any minds at ease.
1998 I met my husband Darren. We have 3 children. In 2004 I took time out and gained my certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing and my Certificate 3 in Equine Management. I have been working in the veterinary field ever since.
The way my patients look at me even though they can't talk, when they are feeling 100% and jumping around because their owners are there to take them home makes my heart bounce with joy. I have worked most of my veterinary life at The Animal Hospital - Murdoch University.
In 2021 I began working at the Perth Cat Hospital. Working with cats is amazing, they have such different personalities and learning their body language is very important as to how you handle them. Once you do they will give you so much love.
Throughout my career, not only have I looked after my patients but also their owners. As a nurse, it is you they turn to when they don't understand the news they have just received. It's you, they turn to for a hug and reassurance. Just being there for them is so incredibly important.
In February of this year 2023 I went through something tragic I could never have imagined it would affect me in such a way, but unfortunately it did.
I was talking with Gemma & Keri-Ann about their new business plans of Equine Therapy and I realised this was something I was very passionate about and would love to do. Helping people, children, teens or adults so they felt heard, loved and safe. The best way to do that was through my love of horses. Horses that always made me smile, connected and wanted. My angels.
All our practitioners have undergone a Working With Children Check and a National Police Clearance.
Certification
It takes one moment in time to fall in love with a horse.
Abraham Maslow
EquiConnect Wellbeing & Therapy
Psychology, Equine Assisted Therapy, Equine Therapy, EAT, PTSD, Anxiety, ASD, ADHD, Trauma, Neurodivergence.
Copyright © 2023 EquiConnect Wellbeing & Therapy - All Rights Reserved.
"We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, Whadjuk Noongar people. We recognise their continuing connection to the land , waters, and culture. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal Elders in Australia, past, present and emerging."
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