About Us
In the 1990s, mental health practitioners, teachers, and other professionals began seriously exploring ways to expand the horse's ability to help humans with more than physical rehabilitation. The development of education-based models began. E3A is proud of its foundational model that connects equines with humans to achieve sustainable transformation.
Our Story
Over the Years
About Us
Thank you for your interest in our organization!
Start here to discover E3A – our history, leadership, focus, and vision for the future.
Maybe you've heard about our work. Perhaps you're new to training people with horses and are wondering, "What is Equine Experiential Education all about?" Whatever your reason for stopping by today, we're glad you are here.
Start Here – The Terminology
E3A sets the standard in providing training in all equine-assisted learning aspects. We are the fastest-growing Equine assisted learning organization in the world. Our new Equine Experiential Education Terminology is one of your first stops in learning about the exciting benefits of E3A. This first Industry Standard Guide should provide you with this work's bedrock concepts and familiarize you with the terminology used.
Who We Serve
The individuals and teams we train come from various backgrounds and business and education models. We provide training to:
- Business and Personal Coaches who want to bring a new and practical experience to their client base.
- Mental Health Professionals who are looking for a new modality for their patients
- Educators who wish to provide a meaningful experience for their students College Students exploring a career in E3A
Equine Experiential Education is an expansive field, providing life-changing benefits to all participating in this work. Longtime practitioners of E3A will tell you that they benefit from every client session. Horses have so much to teach us, humans!
Questions. Check Out Our FAQ
At E3A, we love questions! We know everyone who comes to us has questions about this work. We hear them every day! Our goal is to provide you with the answers you are searching for in a friendly, timely manner. Start with our FAQ page, covering some of the most commonly asked questions. Then, feel free to CONTACT US for even more information.
E3A Internships: Training the Next Generation
As with any emerging field of work, educating the next generation on the benefits of Equine Experiential Education is a core focus of our organization. E3A is investigating ways to apply for a new education program, specifically addressing the needs of college students who want to explore this modality as a career path.
Board of Directors
E3A's Membership is led by a diverse and accomplished group of professionals committed to helping humans through the wisdom and generous insight of horses.
Lora Newman is a business leadership and mental fitness coach, author, speaker, and founder of HorseBusinessWhisperer.com and Zero2Sixty Performance Coaching.
Lora has a passion for animals, horses in particular, and the equine assisted practitioners that partner with them. Lora believes equine assisted work is the next wave in personal and professional development. Her focus is to empower practitioners to reach their potential.
A US Army Veteran, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Equestrian – this gives her a balanced look at how we (practitioners) can lead the way with horses into a new post-pandemic world.
Lora holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Missouri State University, Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Drury University, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from Northwestern Louisiana State University and ran a veterinary hospital for over 4 years. She has studied horsemanship under Buck Brannaman, Pat Parelli, Tim Brock and others.
In addition, she is:
- A graduate of Coach U
- E3A Advanced Certified
- Eagala Advanced Certified and Corporate Certified
- Certified Money Marketing and Mindset Coach
- Mental Health First Aid Trainer
Lora's team comprises nine horses, three mini donkeys, one therapy dog, and many humans.
Website:
HorseBusinessWhisperer.com and
Zero2SixtyCoach.com
James Wilson
Vice President
James Wilson is a Texan by birth, and a New Yorker by choice.
Based in Queens, James works with individuals and teams to help them connect to themselves and others, leading to positive change in their work and personal life. He believes that horses can help humans in
many ways, and partners with horses to conduct equine activities in his coaching and leadership work.
James is fortunate to have had a diverse career, from retail buying and planning to non-profit management. He has led teams large and small to accomplish audacious things. As Director of Operations and
Executive Director at Gallop NYC, New York City’s premiere Therapeutic Riding Facility, he led the organization to new heights, helping expand ridership, volunteer capacity, budget, and physical barns.
He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Texas A&M University in Agribusiness and Marketing, respectively, and is an E3A certified practitioner, a CHA certified Equine Facility Director, and CHA EFM Assistant Certifier.
Kathy Milbeck
Treasurer
Kathy Milbeck, MA co-founder of Equinemity, established in 2006, comes to Equine to facilitate human development with 41 years of experience as a psychotherapist. She received her Master's in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame in 1980. As a Psychologist at Special Children's Clinic in Reno, Nevada, Kathy provided assessments and psychotherapy for infants and young children for ten years, leaving to take a position as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. She held this position for 11 years and has had a successful private psychotherapy practice since 1982. Kathy began her EAL work in 2005. She is Level II certified in equine experiential educational and corporate coaching by Equine Experiential Association (E3A). She is a Master Trainer for E3A, teaching students how to do this work. She has been on the board of E3A for 13 years and serves more technical roles as the treasurer and the Chair of the Master Trainers committee. Kathy has 27 years of experience with her horses. She understands that horses have the ability and sensitivity to awaken heart-based moments of authenticity, which she believes can create a space that establishes confidence so individuals can see a future full of possibilities and the path that leads to fulfilling those dreams.
Website:
www.Equinemity.net
Liz Letson
Liz Letson, MS, LPCC, founded Eagle Vista Ranch & Wellness Center, a private practice in Bemidji, MN specializing in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy & Coaching. Her 4-legged team comprises seven horses, one miniature donkey, two dogs, and two cats.
Liz applies a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach in her work and is E3A Advanced Certified, Eagala Certified, and serves as an Adjunct Psychology faculty at Bemidji State University. Her team regularly contributes to the growing body of research on Human-Animal Interaction and Animal-Assisted Interventions.
Certifications include:
- 2009 EAGALA Certified Mental Health Professional (MH) & Equine Specialist (ES)
- 2014 OK Corral Series Certified
- 2019 48-Hour Breakthrough Mindset Performance Facilitator
- 2021 E3A Advanced Certified
- 2021 EMDR Trained Therapist
Isabella (Boo) Martin, M.Ed.
Boo is delighted to be a new board member for E3A. She has founded and run an Equine Business on her family farm in NH for the last 50+ years. With a background in Pony Club, Fox Hunting, horse shows, breeding and training Hunter Ponies, and teaching, she started a specialty riding camp in 1972. She started a riding school for children and got involved in CHA and ARIA in 1975. She then started a therapeutic horsemanship program in 1988 and got involved with NARHA, now PATH, Intl. and EAGALA. These equine programs continue to this day.
Upon retiring, she began consulting to nonprofits in the area of Strategic Planning and Program Development to enhance Fundraising. She was excited to take the Foundations and Capstone course in 2022 and to discover the exciting world of Equine Facilitated Team Building and Leadership Development.
She is a passionate entrepreneur who believes in the power of horses to teach humans. She is the Founder of Wisdom Horse which operates at Stepping Stones Farm & Retreat Center. Together with fellow board member, James Wilson, she is actively hosting retreats for businesses of all sizes. Her team is comprised of 8 engaging horses and 6 terrific wranglers. Groups can do their work in the Indoor arena or outside rings, enjoy delicious locally sourced and lovingly prepared meals by private chefs, and enjoy welcoming overnight lodging all at the same historic New England farm. She sees immense benefit with Equine Experiential Learning and Growth for Youth at Risk, Families, Personal Wellness and Corporate Coaching. She is looking forward to being on the E3A team for many years to come.
Pam Hunter
Pam Hunter is Principal at Unbridled Minds LLC. She is a leadership development coach and consultant working with individuals and organizations to enhance their personal and professional development.
Pam spent a career as a Managing Director, leading investment teams for Chase Asset Management, JPMorgan Investment Management, and other global financial services corporations. Pam left the world of Wall Street to become a coach/consultant in 2018. Driven by a passion for fostering strong leadership platforms and personal growth, she is dedicated to assisting organizations and their leaders in navigating rapid changes by equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to thrive.
She is Certified as a Master Equus Coach and Student Mentor through the Center for Equus Coaching, Advanced Equine Facilitated Learning Coach through the Academy for Coaching with Horses, Equine Experiential Education Facilitator through the Equine Experiential Education Association, Equine Facilitated Leadership and Team Development Coach through Equine Alchemy and is also a certified Executive Management and Leadership Coach through the University of Cape Town, SA.
Pam holds an Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management with individual certifications in Neuroscience for Business, Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World, Mastering Negotiation and Influence, Inquiry-Driven Leadership, and Implementing Enterprise-Wide Transformation. She successfully completed the Women's Leadership Development Programme through the University of Oxford, Said School of Business.
Learn more about our story! Call us today at 775-376-2530
