The Circle Of Support

Katy is the founder of
Heartfelt Therapy which, like many of our animals, found its forever home at Heartfelt Farm. Katy is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist, (Post MA Art Therapy, MA, BA, Vis Art Dpl) and is an Equine - Facilitated Mental Wellness Practitioner. She has training in Expressive Play Therapy and Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy and Complex Trauma.  Katy recalls
fondly caring for her first pony at age 6 and finding a sense of belonging in the natural world. She has been sharing the company of horses now for over 50 years. Katy believes in creating a culture of reciprocity and caring, and her
farm is a place of safety and solace for those who struggle, which is something she has always found in the presence of her animal relations. Her background in the Creative Arts and a variety of Mental Health settings culminated in a career which is centered on supporting the young ones - who are both our present and our future.

Meag Saulnier is a mixed ancestry womyn of European and Mi’kmaq descent. She is grateful to the Lkwungen people for providing a home away from home and has had the great honour to work within community for the past 17 years in various capacities. Meagan’s educational background is in Child and Youth Care and has been trained in attachment and trauma informed approaches. She values relational work while also honouring Indigenous teachings and ways of knowing, doing, being, and healing. Meagan has a deep respect for the land – the four legged, winged ones, crawlers, finned friends, standing still and plant relatives, recognizing them as a part of the work she does. Meagan also believes in the power of play and artistic expression as important tools on ones journey.

For as long as Sasha can
remember, animals and the natural world have held significant roles in her life,
as some of her dearest friends, teachers and healers.  

In her ongoing journey of healing, growth and education, Sasha has learned that horses have extraordinary ways of engaging humans in experiences of authentic connection, deeply felt support and resilience.

Sasha is thrilled and grateful to have a place in this compelling area of therapy, where the innate capacity to heal is nourished through relationships of mutual safety, belonging and kinship with the more-than-human world.

Hannah is our herd manager, group co-facilitator and an up and coming Equine Wellness Practitioner. Growing up with the priviledge of being surrounded by horses and a natural understanding of their sacred way of being, Hannah is motivated by the wisdom and learning that horses have to offer us. Currently completing her Equine Facilited Wellness (Pro Canada) training, Hannah is a Co-Facilitator of many Heartfelt offerings, as well as program lead for our very own Stable Connections program.

Growing up on Coast Salish Territory, Sophie has always walked with a desire to be in relationship to, and a caretaker of, the natural world and its many facets. At the farm, Sophie is our program designer, Little Well Beings lead, flower grower, animal caretaker, and goods curator for our farmstand & shop. Inspired by the teachings of Robin Wall Kimmerer, Sophie believes that when you love something in nature, you will take care of it; at Heartfelt Farm, her intention is to gently guide children into a loving connection with the natural world.