The Human Team

Leah Hope
Volunteer Program Director​

Former Registered Nurse ER/OR/Hospice Palliative Care 
Cartier Equine Learning Centre – 2011
Academy of Equine Assisted Learning – Level 2 and 3 - 2013, 2014 
​Hippotherapy 1 therapy Principles (2016) - AHA
SPECTRUM- lifespan autism resources and training
Mental Health First Aid -2021

My career as an active duty nurse was cut short due to injuries, but this journey to my own wellness has guided me to find health and wellness for my horses and, ultimately, all horses. Along with my husband Dave (Master Carpenter) and my daughter Alex (EAL Program Assistant), my entire family has contributed and ensured the continued success of our EAL programs here at Little Oasis. Our horses are the inspiration and backbone of all we do here. I continue to be wowed by the power and impact that horses have on individuals' lives.​

Gabi Mayrhofer​
Certified EAL facilitator​ and ​Assistant Program Director

Cartier Equine Learning Centre – Level 1 2018
SPECTRUM- lifespan autism resources and training
Mental Health First Aid -2021

I was born and raised in Germany, with horses being a part of my life from 9 years old. I started volunteering in a therapeutic riding program whenever possible, and riding as much as I could. After moving to Canada in 1991, I was soon able to purchase my first horse and have been surrounded by them ever since. In 2017 I started volunteering with Little Oasis in their EAL programs and became certified in 2018. This has allowed me to follow my passion to work with horses in a capacity that I never thought possible and help share these amazing animals lessons and gift with others.

Dee Dee Prout​
Certified EAL facilitator​

Volunteer Assistant for Little Bits Therapeutic Riding 2006-2013 Registered Veterinary Technologist Diploma - 2012
Cartier Equine Learning Centre – Level 1 2018

My work in the veterinary profession has provided me countless opportunities to witness the significant value of the Human-Animal Bond. I initially recognized the unique gifts the Horse brings during my years as a volunteer assistant in a therapeutic riding program in Alberta. Since joining the Little Oasis team in 2017, I have watched these horses gently but effectively enlightening the EAL participants with their "life lessons". Their profound effect on the children and adults they connect with is truly amazing and I feel very privileged to be a part of this amazing process.

Alex Hope
Program Assistant

Volunteer at Little Oasis 2014-2018
​Certified Health Care Assistant 2019
SPECTRUM- lifespan autism resources and training
Mental Health First Aid -2021

I was raised around horses from a very young age and I've had the privilege of being surrounded by the Equine Assisted world as a child, teen, and now as an adult. I've developed a love for the special needs population and children with diverse abilities, and this led me to pursue a career as a support worker. It's an honour to work alongside this beautiful herd of horses here at Little Oasis and take part in the transformations that horses can initiate.

Lea Alessandrello​
Certified EAL facilitator

Cartier Equine Learning Centre – Level 1 2018

My passion to be with horses started early, around 10 years old.  I spent 2 years convincing my parents I was serious about wanting be around and ride horses. They started me on donkeys, and I have never looked back. I can not imagine a lifestyle now, that doesn’t include these majestic animals. I left Switzerland in 2012, coming to Canada to work at the Wilderness Guest Ranch where I was able to work, play, and breathe horses. My interest in human nature, psychology and horses lead me to EAL. There is no better teacher than the horse and I love being able to facilitate people’s journeys with these animals, learning and growing myself along the way.

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Inspiring Contributors

Stacey Chartres
Assistant Program Director​
Certified EAL facilitator

Cartier Equine Learning Centre – 2013
Academy of Equine Assisted Learning Level 2 -2014
Level I in 2014 EAGALA 
Social Service Worker Diploma at Selkirk College 2018

I am an ex-patriot Australian and live in beautiful Trail, B.C. with my husband and two children. I’ve always had a passion for working with people. I grew up on a beef cattle farm and so horses have been a big part of my life. For me, horses really complete the connection to spirit and I am constantly amazed at the power, beauty and grace the horses provide our clients.

Pyper

bio to come...

Beth Dixon
​Facilitator at Equine-Assisted Learning

Equine Science Degree 2013
Instructor in Training with PATH International (2017)
Hippotherapy 1 therapy Principles (2016) - ​AHA Behavioural Interventionist with OCAI

I started riding horses when I was 11 years old and horses have been a passion ever since. I moved to Canada from England in 2013 and realized that something was missing and thus began my search for something meaningful and fulfilling to do alongside horses. This is when I found Little Oasis. I started volunteering for the EAL program in 2014 and haven't looked back.

Michelle Seminoff
​Facilitator at Equine-Assisted Learning

EAGALA certified since 2011
Raindrop Therapy 2011
​Academy of Equine-Assisted learning in 2014
Reiki Level II 2014  

Marrying my love of horses with my passion for helping people helped me find my place in the EAL/EAP field. Working with a wide variety of clients shows me how amazing and life changing this work can be. The horses truly are the teachers/therapists.

At Little Oasis Equine Matters we are committed to our community, and strive to offer objective based programs that will augment our skills as community members. Our dedicated team, both paid and volunteer, have participated in many of the following training as a means to educate ourselves and the families we serve: 

• Standard First aid + CPR level C
• Emergency First Aid + CPR level C
• OSBC Privacy & Information Sharing Certificate
• Duty to Report Training - Autism Spectrum Disorder DSM-V changes
   ​​ASD Challenging behaviours
  

• Expected and Unexpected behaviours  
  
• Family Centered Training
• Brain Gym 101      
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder
• Circle of Security     

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​Meet the Equine Team

Indy

Stiletto

Betty

Mohawk

Bunny

Thunder

Sage

**PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS**

Little Oasis Equine Matters
​4226 Casino Road Trail B.C. V1R 4X3​

p: 250-368-2002