ABOUT
Healing Doesn't Always Sound Like Words.
Sometimes it’s a quiet moment with a horse, a walk through a field or simply being truly seen. That’s what I’ve built here and it’s built from my own life, not a theory.
MY PATH TO THIS WORK
Dakota Taught My Body How to Settle Again
When Dakota was born 2020, Mo Chroí’s foal, I was living inside a fear I can only describe as total. I couldn’t sleep. I was having multiple panic attacks a day. Nothing felt safe. Slowly, being with him taught my body how to settle again. He didn’t fix me. He just stayed and something in me started to heal.
Later I got sick with fibromyalgia and my whole life had to slow down whether I chose it or not. One day I was sitting watching the horses out in the field and for the first time in a long while I felt peace. I wanted other people to feel that too.
“I found the perfect fit for me in Athena.”
I went looking for someone who could bring Equine Facilitated Learning onto my land, because at the time I didn’t believe I was good enough with people to do it myself. When I couldn’t find anyone, I had to sit with the fact that maybe I was the one who was supposed to do this. So I found the right training and started building this properly.
TRAINING & APPROACH
Certified, Ethical and Rooted in Trauma Awareness
CORE CERTIFICATION
Athena Herd Foundation
Equine-Facilitated Learning, Level 2 and Level 4 (QQI Level 4 and 6 equivalents). Grounded in ethical, reflective practice with equal emphasis on the wellbeing of horse and person.
MENTAL WELLBEING
Mental Health First Aid
Recognising and responding to mental health difficulties with the right first response, not a script.
SAFETY
First Aid
Fully trained and current, because presence and preparedness aren’t in conflict.
COMPLEMENTARY
Reiki & Rihanni Healing
Additional practice that shapes how I hold space, quietly, in the background of every session.
SAFEGUARDING
Child First (Tusla)
Trained in national child safeguarding guidance, relevant to sessions involving young people aged 8+.
BACKGROUND
Hands-On Horse Experience
Years across trekking centres, racing, and showjumping yards, before I ever saw horses as healers, I saw them do every other job there is.
WHAT WE VALUE
Four Things That Don't Move
Respect
For every human, horse and the natural world we share.
Curiosity
Openness to explore, without judgment or pressure.
Presence
Slowing down to notice what’s here right now.
Choice
Your pace, your voice, your process, your journey.
If You Feel Drawn to This, Even a Little.
We would love to welcome you. No horse experience needed, just comfortable shoes and a little curiosity.