Welcome to Equinnect:
Counselling and Equine (horse)-Assisted Services
Equinnect:
Counselling & Equine-assisted services co-facilitated by a horse and an experienced, qualified mental health professional.
Enhance self-awareness, connection, confidence, curiosity and well-being through an Equinnect-EAS session.
And develop your life skills and resilience while having fun in a supported, safe, relaxed & natural environment.
Equinnect is person-led, trauma informed & responsive.
This is equine (horse)- assisted services.
Let Tanya and Burke or Mabel (or another of their special horse friends) at Equinnect provide you with an individualised EAS session in a safe and comfortable environment.
No prior experience with horses is necessary. There is no riding; all sessions are on foot.
For individuals or groups of two; ages 10+ years, adolescents. and adults.
Registered NDIS Provider.
Increase self-awareness
Joy & relaxation
Improve
communication
Enhance compassion -
self & others
Health & wellbeing
Meet the team
Tanya (she/her) is a Health Professional with over 25 years’ experience in clinical, education, and research settings, working predominantly in mental health and palliative care. Tanya has a Master of Counselling and is a Registered Nurse. Tanya is a qualified Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Facilitator through the internationally recognised, WA-based, HorseVision. Becoming an EAL Facilitator was a natural progression for Tanya – combining her passions and compassion for humans and horses.
Burke (he/him) is a 15-hand chestnut Quarter Horse. He is loved by all who meet and know him at Zia Park Equestrian Centre for his gentle and reliable nature. Burke has approx. 22 years’ experience as a horse and has worked in a variety of environments.
Mabel (she/her) is a 16-year-old Gypsy Cob Waler who began her journey to Zia Park from Prenti Downs, 900 kilometres northeast of Perth. On 27 December 2009, Mabel found her forever home with Ms. Petra Holtz, a riding instructor at Zia Park, where she has flourished ever since. Mabel
is now a distinguished Equinnect Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) Co-facilitator, renowned for her intuitive ability to connect with people. In 2025, Mabel was honoured with a Gold Award at the RSPCA WA Animal Welfare Awards for her dedication to improving the well-being of many West Australians.
For more detailed information on the team’s qualifications and professional history, please visit the About Equinnect page.
An Equinnect session
You’ve booked your Equinnect session. So, what’s next?
Tanya will call to introduce herself and have a chat with you. Tanya will answer any questions you have about an EAT session. Additionally, Tanya will ask you some questions to guide your session. If all is soundfing great, a standard counselling intake form and working with horses consent/waiver form will be sent for completion.
On the day of your session, Tanya will meet you at Zia Park Equestrian Centre. Informed by your prior chat with Tanya, this may be seeking a unique experience of nurturing You - time to a health or goal orientated session, co-facilitated by a beautiful horse. We look forward to meeting you.
“The horse will teach you if you listen”
Ray Hunt, Horseman
The Equinnect experience.
Discover more about the unique Equine Assisted Therapy sessions with Tanya, Burke, Mabel, or friends.