Equinnect Equine Assisted Learning provides a relational experience with a horse on the ground through equine (horse)-assisted activities. These activities facilitate the enhancement of your self-awareness, connection, well-being, and life-skills; and these are transferable to all other aspects of your life. 

Equinnect EAL is non-judgmental, strength-based, and person-centred experiential approach to health and well-being.

At Equinnect, know that you are under the care and guidance of a qualified and experienced team: 

• Equinnect owner and human lead facilitator, Tanya Pidgeon, is a registered nurse with over 25 years’ experience, predominantly in the mental health and palliative care specialities. In addition to Equinnect, Tanya works with Lifeline as a digital care responder (text and web chat), and in palliative care quality improvement and research. 

• Equinnect lead horse co-facilitator, Burke, has had 21 years’ experience as an American Quarter Horse. He has worked with people in a circus, in school riding lessons, on the trails and more recently, therapeutic EAL settings with Equinnect. Few horses are well-suited or enjoy EAL – but Burke is a natural EAL co-facilitator. When not co-facilitating EAL sessions, he spends his time grazing, resting, or playing in his paddock with his friends. Owned by Gail Simms, Director at Zia Park Equestrian Centre, Burke is well loved and cared for by many.  As our lead horse co-facilitator, Burke is also the inspiration behind Equinnect’s logo.