The ROOTS team is a passionate professional cohort with over half a century of combined experience in human services, social work, psychotherapy, working with youth/teens, working with trauma, equine/animal assisted services, humane education and training, and advocating for nonhuman animals.
We are dedicated to teaching and mentoring the next generation of equine/animal assisted services facilitators. While equines are often the bedrock of many animal assisted service programs, we at ROOTS have found that many other species are equally compelling for our clients. Our experience with other species is great news for potential facilitators who may want to start their work with nonhuman animals other than horses. We aim to have this generation redefine inter-species relationship as one that is mutually beneficial and equally mindful of individual needs, rights and agency. We aim for a generation of facilitators committed to healing human and nonhuman animals alike.
The ROOTS Institute faculty includes (in alphabetical order):
Drea holds a MSW (summa cum laude) and undergraduate degree in psychology with a focus on trans-species psychology. She is a WA State Certified Counselor and a Board Certified Life Coach, certified Health Coach, Circle of Life Group Coach, and Equine Touch and Healing Touch for Animals certified.
Founder of One Heart Wild Education Sanctuary & ROOTS Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Former H.E.A.L. Model™ Designated Instructor.
Drea is an author, speaker, and trainer with over 25 years in business and human resource management, coaching and a lifetime in observation and relationship with nonhuman animals wild and domestic. She is a horsewoman who has trained, competed, rescued, rehabbed and worked in relationship with horses throughout her life.
"ROOTS Institute represents an imperative to change the paradigm in how we educate equine/animal assisted therapeutic practitioners and to advocate strongly for all nonhuman animals through mutuality in relationship: We know too much today to justify taking a gain for a human client at the expense of a nonhuman animal emotionally or physically.”
"I am impressed with Drea's ability to weave various theory, empirical results, and practice into efforts that put her on the leading edge of this new and growing sub-discipline within psychology and health care. As anxiety is ubiquitous within the human experience (and is growing more common among the American public), equine-assisted treatment for a wide variety of psycho-social concerns becomes increasingly important. While I was skeptical of this material when first approached about it over a decade ago, I have become very supportive of work that teaches the emotional and social intelligence that has become a greater hallmark of success in life. Drea taught me a tremendous amount that I can add to my future teaching and advocacy regarding psychological health."
Mark A. Hurst, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Psychology Faculty
The Evergreen State College
Psychology Faculty
The Evergreen State College
"Drea’s compassionate regard for horses and for people creates the possibility of a dynamic relationship, one I call “relationship in movement." I watched and observed her creating that triad of partnership between herself, the horse and her client or student from the calm and centered place of connection, to an active and engaged form of consensual leadership.
Her ability to coach the client and the horse from a place of yin connection to yang action I find rare in the field of equine facilitated learning. I will continue to refer clients to her and look forward to our co-creations in the future."
Her ability to coach the client and the horse from a place of yin connection to yang action I find rare in the field of equine facilitated learning. I will continue to refer clients to her and look forward to our co-creations in the future."
Kathleen Barry Ingram, M.A.
International EFLP Trainer, Speaker, Author
Co-Founder of Epona Equestrian Services with Linda Kohanov
International EFLP Trainer, Speaker, Author
Co-Founder of Epona Equestrian Services with Linda Kohanov
Hi Drea,
"Thank you for encouraging mutuality within our relationship with horses. It was fun and interesting to go out to my herd and practice what I learned. There is one horse that is usually a little shy and does not walk up to people. He was the first one to come to me and just hung out next to me. We just stood there together enjoying each other’s company. It was a special moment. I would have stood there for a while but the rain chased me away. He now comes up to me and I just let him give me a nose bump. He does not like to be petted so now I just stand next to him and let him lick and smell me. It's hard not to reach out and touch. But just being close to him feels good.
"Thank you for encouraging mutuality within our relationship with horses. It was fun and interesting to go out to my herd and practice what I learned. There is one horse that is usually a little shy and does not walk up to people. He was the first one to come to me and just hung out next to me. We just stood there together enjoying each other’s company. It was a special moment. I would have stood there for a while but the rain chased me away. He now comes up to me and I just let him give me a nose bump. He does not like to be petted so now I just stand next to him and let him lick and smell me. It's hard not to reach out and touch. But just being close to him feels good.
I had a field trip of special needs kids come out to the ranch on Wednesday. Five of them. One of the mares was having a hard time settling down with one of the participants. I asked the little girl to talk to Tula and tell her that her behavior was scaring her and that she wanted her to have a great time with her and if she would help her get over her fear. It was amazing! Tula settled down and became very calm. The little girl was able to groom her, and ride her. That little girl who had braces on her feet wanted to stop riding and get off so she and Tula could walk around together! It was very cool to see those two make a connection. She made the biggest transition in her group. I just wanted to share that story with you. I knew you would like to hear how you helped us. Thanks again for being you."
Kelly Rose
Hawks Ridge Ranch
Hudson WI
Hawks Ridge Ranch
Hudson WI
Hannah Clarke is a qualified teacher, youth and community practitioner, integrative psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and equine/animal assisted psychotherapist with over 25 years’ experience working with adults, children and young people. Hannah believes passionately that positive relationships between all species are key to growth, change and well-being and that the people best placed to do this are those who spend the most time with the children and young people & adults they work with. Recognising that there is an increasing awareness and pressure for earlier interventions to be carried out by front line staff she has spent the past four years developing accredited qualifications for professionals working with children and young people in therapeutic skills.
Hannah is a faculty member of the ROOTS Institute in Washington where she teaches on their Trauma Informed Equine/Animal Assisted Self Development & Psychotherapy Certificate. She is an Associate of the Romanian Psychology College and a visiting lecturer for ARPI (Romanian Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy) where she has taught on their Children and Young People’s Integrative Psychotherapy Diploma. She is also a supervisor for the YMCA George Williams College in London.
"Hannah Clarke is a highly motivated, enthusiastic professional who has taken the needs of young people with autism spectrum conditions to heart and produced an ethos of trust and relaxation enabling them to progress in areas that for some have remained throughout their school lives as unattainable. Her warmth and commitment to enhancing the lives of young people with autism comes through and much can be gained by parents and professionals from her practical support and skill."
Gay Waters B. Phil (Ed), Chair Inclusion Project,
Vice Chair Autism Jersey, retired Head of Forum School, Dorset, UK
Vice Chair Autism Jersey, retired Head of Forum School, Dorset, UK
"I know Hannah well from her work in Jersey with young people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Her work was of critical importance to the young people she served and to their families. She is a passionate advocate for her work and ensures the needs of her groups are recognized. She provided thoughtful leadership and was creative in resolving the many challenges around resources and logistics. I commend Hannah for her outstanding work in the field of neuro-diversity."
Richard Mills, Director of Research, The National Autistic Society,
Research Director, Research Autism
Research Director, Research Autism
Founder of Rainbow Counseling & Equine Connections, LLC, providing private practice and equine/animal assisted psychotherapy services. Clinical Director for One Heart Wild Education Sanctuary providing equine/animal self development and therapy services. Conference speaker and educator.
As a social worker, Brenda has provided 20+ years of service to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, individuals impacted by abuse and violence, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, support for significant life transitions, holistic approaches to wellness and connecting humans with horses and other nonhuman animals; increasing self-awareness, emotional healing, empowerment and resiliency.

Brie Youngker, AASD - USA
Brie is an experienced, relational, lifelong equestrian and animal advocate. She is One Heart Wild’s Sanctuary Manager, Volunteer Coordinator and active Board Member. She is the Roots Institute Executive Director and a certified ROOTS Institute Equine/Animal Assisted Self-Development Practitioner.
Brie’s background includes many years as a horse rider, showing in Hunter/Jumper rings and training with a focus on improving the relationship between horses and humans. She studied Equine Science at University and has participated in several programs including Therapeutic Riding for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, children’s summer horse camps and fundraising for these causes.
Brie’s time at One Heart Wild is spent caring for the 60+ animal residents she loves, training volunteers in safely working with these animals, providing social/emotional animal assisted services in schools and providing equine/animal assisted sessions with individuals and groups to improve the lives of people of all ages. As the Executive Director of Roots Institute, Brie manages the organization of the program, supervises the online learning platform, and acts as an advocate for students.
ROOTS INSTITUTE ADVISORY FACULTY
Kathleen Ingram, MA, BCCKathleen Ingram, MA, BCC
Kathleen brings over 30 years of experience in mental health counseling, non-profit services, marketing and communications in the health care industry, and equine facilitated learning faciltitator training. She is past executive director of San Juan United Way, corporate director of marketing and intake at Sierra Tucson Treatment Center and has been a board member of several non-profit health care agencies. She did her internship for masters in counseling with Lesley College at Four Corners Mental Health Clinic in New Mexico where she worked with a wide range of cultures and specialized in nonverbal communication with the Native population.
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Kathleen and Linda Kohanov co-created, developed, and taught the Epona apprenticeship program together until 2007 when the ninth class graduated and another group of talented and experienced individuals began their own equine facilitated learning practices.Kathleen continues to teach and train equine facilitated learning facilitators in the United States and Internationally. Kathleen is passionate about teaching facilitators that the horses, as equal partners, can assist the facilitator by modeling congruent messages and behavior, co-creative and consensual leadership, appropriate boundaries, experiencing emotional messages as information, and teaching and educating their human students to live consciously in the present moment. The horses have been among her greatest teachers, and even when she is not working with them directly, she carries them in her heart. These amazing beings constantly guide and teach her and she feels blessed to count them as her friends and companions.
**One Heart Wild's ROOTS Institute is a CEU provider for MSW, LMFT, and LMHC mental health providers.
Level 1 qualifies for 13 CEUs. Level 2 qualifies for 23.75 CEUs.**
Level 1 qualifies for 13 CEUs. Level 2 qualifies for 23.75 CEUs.**