One Heart Wild Team

CLINICAL TEAM

DREA BOWEN, LICSWA, MSW, SW-ESA

Drea's qualifications include; LICSWA, MSW, Certified Social Work Educational Staff Associate (ESA), Certified Counselor (WA), and Board Certified Life & Health Coach. Drea is also a Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology, minor in trans-species Psychology and multiple specialty certifications in complex trauma, for children and adults. Drea has worked full time with youth, teens, and adults since 2010.

Drea’s advocacy for finding individualized solutions to heal from psychological harm and to find meaning and purpose is highlighted in One Heart Wild’s humane education and therapeutic programs. Her work with schools, students, and parents is driven by her passion to see children, teens, and families in our community thrive. With a deep understanding of the impacts that childhood trauma, ADHD, anxiety, and depression have on a person's ability to be and do what means the most to them, Drea is committed to stay up on cutting edge research that continues to reveal answers on how best to help, heal, and inspire her clients.

BRENDA NEWELL, LICSW

Brenda is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), practicing social work since 1993, She is a Certified Children's Mental Health Specialist, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certified in providing Equine/Animal Assisted Therapeutic Services. Brenda enjoys providing counseling, consultation and community education.

Brenda's therapeutic approach is respectful, compassionate and educational. She works to establish a partnership in a journey of growth and healing. Her background and extensive training includes: serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning+ (LGBT*Q+) community, serving individuals who are neurodiverse, working with individuals impacted by trauma, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, individuals seeking support for significant life transitions, holistic approaches to wellness, and bringing humans and horses/animals together for healing through Equine/Animal Assisted Therapeutic Interventions. Brenda fully embraces the philosophy of One Heart Wild, that "what is wounded in relationship is also healed in relationship".

GABRIELLE YOUNGKER, CEAAT

Brie is certified in Equine/Animal Assisted Therapeutic Services and is an Associate Faculty for ROOTS Insitute. Brie practices with children of all ages in local schools and with youth-adult clients at One Heart Wild.

She provides services one-on-one as well as facilitates workshops, groups and camps. Brie also holds certifications in Suicide & Self Harm in Youth, Motivational Interviewing, HeartMath, COVID-19 Crisis Management, Skills for Psychological Recovery, and is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist.

Brie is an experienced, relational, lifelong equestrian. Brie’s background includes many years as a horse rider, showing in Hunter/Jumper rings, training and studying Equine Science. She loves partnering with horses in her sessions, but can also be found with clients sitting with the little critters of the Bunny Barn, playing with sheep and goats in their paddocks, laying with the pigs in the Piggy Palace, or cuddling the cows in their pasture.

MINDY ROMAN, LICSWA, MSW, SW-ESA

Mindy has her Master’s degree in Social Work, and an undergraduate degree in Social Welfare from the University of Washington-Tacoma. Her previous experience has been in child welfare, trauma informed practice, and supporting survivors of interpersonal violence. In her graduate program Mindy also received certifications from the Child Welfare Training Advancement Program and Zero Abuse Project.

Prior to higher education, Mindy spent 7 years working as a Veterinarian Technician aiding in the physical healing of non-human animals. Mindy also spent over 20 years working closely with dogs in positive training practices, showing, and rescue work.

Mindy grew up in Kitsap County and had always had a passion for healing all species, human and non-human. She has held space for her community in volunteering for organizations such as PTA President, NAMI- Family to Family Educator, Crisis Clinic of the Peninsulas, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, President.

Her passion for children, youth, and families coupled with her love of animals has brought her to One Heart Wild where she can achieve her goals of healing others through animal assisted therapy.

PAIGE BURNHAM, LMHC

Paige is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has her Master’s degree in Counseling and her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a Minor in Animal Science. She has worked since 2013 in schools, homeless shelters and primary care clinics with a diverse range of clients. She graduated from the ROOTS Animal Assisted Therapy training program in 2022 and is Level 1 trained in Internal Family Systems Therapy. She believes in a holistic and
compassionate approach to therapy and a collaborative therapeutic relationship.

Paige is an avid reader and continues to learn about trauma informed practices and research as they evolve. She is a believer in the impact of trauma on the body and the utility of somatic and
body-based practices to address these responses through the mind-body-spirit connection. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018.

Paige has always loved nature and animals and has spent time volunteering at horse rescues and animal shelters, where she met her beloved cat, Ferrigno. She is excited to combine her passions
and work with people toward healing through Animal Assisted Therapy.

DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAM TEAM

MARLAINA SIMMONS - DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANAGER

Marlaina Simmons holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from Western Washington University (2010). She is passionate about early learning, parenting, and advocating locally through her role as the Peninsulas Early Childhood Coalition Co-Lead and Policy and Advocacy Lead. In early 2022, she was appointed to the Kitsap County Council for Human Rights where she works to further advocate for a safe and welcoming community for all Kitsap County residents.

Prior to joining the OHW team, Marlaina served as the Networks Coordinator for Kitsap Strong from 2016-2022. During her time with Kitsap Strong she collaborated with community partners and facilitated the process for coming together and learning. Marlaina also organized Kitsap Strong’s Resiliency Summit serving 200+ people, as well as the Community Leaders Luncheon, a brave space for elected officials and community leaders to engage in deep discussions.

Marlaina is the wife of a fireman and mother to 2 kids, 2 dogs and a bearded dragon. In her free time, she enjoys reading, camping and traveling to new destinations and historical sites.

SANCTUARY TEAM

ANIMAL CARE

Our Animal Care staff and volunteers care for over 70 animals including 10 different species currently. Care happens 24/7, 365 days a year, no matter the weather.

Staff work with multiple veterinarians all over the county and beyond to provide expert care for our residents as they age and for general wellness. We are so grateful for their compassion, care and for the large animal veterinarians, their willingness to show up for emergencies which invariably happen after hours and often is not so great weather.

The animal care staff and volunteers are the foundation for One Heart Wild and all of the services we provide. The animals love seeing them daily and depend on their compassion and commitment for their care.