Our Equine Dream Team
At Equine Assisted Learning our equine team are willing participants that work with you on your goals.
Tully
Our Knowledgeable One. He is aware, inquisitive and always tries his best to please.
Frieda
Our Calm Leader. She is firm, fair and authentic.
Honey
Our Kind One. She is simply full of love.
Snowy
Our Fun One. He loves to play and interact.
Bobbie
Our Wise Lady. She is present and aware.
Our Facilitator
Vivian Oberhollenzer
Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator
BHealthSc(NutMed) GradDipEd MEd
At the age of 12 I had my first Natural Horsemanship lessons and I was hooked. I enjoyed riding, however being on the ground with my horse and forming a connection was my priority. My ponies would come running when I saw them, and I could free lunge them on a hill, with their friends grazing a few meters away. I thought that was normal, and that all kids were spending their days patting horses, hanging out in the paddock and galloping their horses saddle/bride/halter/rope-less around the paddock. It turns out this is not normal, and science now shows how healing spending time in nature and in the proximity with horses is. I believe I owe the horse a great deal by assisting me to become the balanced individual I am today (not perfect! I'm still working on it).
Since then I've studied to become a nutritionist (human one), became a school teacher, a personal trainer, received my Masters in Education, and have spent the last 10 years teaching students with disabilities. This is where I have seen the great effect animals play in regulating the emotions of stressed students and adults. Over the years I've managed to bring guinea pigs, dogs, goats, chickens and horses together with students to create a healing environment. One which I plan on continuing. We all deserve just a little bit of love (or a lot) from another species.
Our Endorsed Facilitators
Julina Minter
Equine Assisted Occupational Therapist
BOccTh
Certified EAP Practitioner with the Equine Psychotherapy Institute
I am passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children, and I believe that fun and engaging therapy provides the best outcomes. I have worked as a ‘traditional’ Occupational Therapist in private practice for 8 years and have owned my own private practice, Limitless Occupational Therapy, for 6 years. Having a love for all animals I am extremely excited about bringing Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy to the Sunshine Coast. In this space I will combine my Occupational Therapy sessions with the added benefits of equine therapy, and the great outdoors. Aside from my Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, I have a Certificate II in Sport and Community Recreation and a Certificate IV and V in Fitness (Personal Trainer). In my spare time I love spending time with my two miniature dachshunds, riding horses and being active outdoors.
Martina Grieve
Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator
At the age of 8 I had my first riding lesson and I have been horse mad ever since. I competed successfully in dressage and show jumping events while growing up in Germany.
I have a great love and interest in natural horsemanship.
I believe being with horses is about your connection with them, reading their body language and understanding their emotions.
I am qualified as an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator and I absolutely love working as such. I am also an accredited teacher aid and love working with children. Joining both my passion for horses and humans who like horses (old or young) is my absolute dream. I love seeing big smiles on happy people’s faces when we start our journey together.