Client Experiences
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North West Disability Services
“ I found working with the horses a real eye opener and they drew out of me a need to take life easier and “not stress the small stuff. I would highly recommend the experience to all Leaders to bring them back to what is important in what they are doing.”
— Deborah Gersbach, CEO North West Disability Services
Essenz Coaching
“ I had an incredibly profound experience in re-awakening my connection with life and people by truly being present working with horses and with Jackie. The power of being aware of your presence and reading the cues of a horse mirrored my longing to connect and to tune my awareness of the cues of others. As a coach and facilitator I have arrived and evolving - as a human I am connecting and be-ing. Thank you doesn’t seem enough.”
— Vicki Samootin, Essenz Coaching
The Visible Guy
“Brilliant. Having experienced the learning first hand I came away with a stronger understanding of leadership without voice and constantly adapting to the environment around you. The effect on was inspirational. (Yes I managed the whole time without my mobile phone as well!)... highly recommend this to anyone considering effective outcome driven leadership development.”
— Gordon Jenkins, CEO, Adaptive Innovation and The Visible Guy
Fantastic Furniture
“Last week the team took 2 days out in the beautiful Hunter Valley to connect and develop our strategy for the year ahead. We were challenged to observe and interact with horses as a way of understanding how we as a team communicate and engage with each other. We were able to learn and reflect on how our energy, body language, thoughts and intentions impact and influence everyone around us. We walked away from the day feeling connected as a team, energised and incredibly grateful for the meaningful learning experience with the horses. If you’re looking for an insightful team experience I would highly recommend Jackie’s unique approach.”
— Samantha Mueller, Head of Learning and Development at Fantastic Furniture
SafeScape
I’ve done a few team building things in the past with different teams and there seems to always be a level of disconnectedness or trust with the actual process so they will hang back or not actually contribute as much as they are supposed to be contributing.
This equine assisted learning process we did today with our entire team, I am sure that it has something to do with the horses and the facilitators being just a natural environment, not all built for play, that everyone was comfortable to start with. Once we realise we are interacting with the natural environment rather than blocks, toys and notepads etc, everyone is involved, everyone is putting themselves forward and trying to be part of it and so we got a lot out of it. Really really enjoyed it.
— Steve Durkin, Managing Director, SafeScape
Bendelta
“The session achieved everything we had hoped for and so much more.
Participants left buzzing, mystified and gratified from the experience. The richness and depth of the individual and collective learning, combined with the depth and knowledge of your craft, created seamless links to both program content and workplace contexts.
We are deeply grateful for the partnership and look forward to many more experiences in the future.”
— Sean Clemmit
Principal Consultant, Bendelta
Suntory
“As innovative leadership development practitioners at Suntory, we are always looking for new and unique ways to impact leaders through learning simulations and experiences.
From the very first conversation with Jackie, we knew we’d struck learning gold. Jackie brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the structure, design and facilitation of the Equine Assisted Learning process.
The experience was incredibly impactful, emotional and ultimately one that pressed participants to put their learning into action.”
— Sue Gannon
Division COO Global Development, Diversity and Strategic Advisor
Suntory Holdings Limited
Melbourne Business School
“We used Equine Assisted Learning on the last day of a three day program that focused on leadership and team behaviours, understanding the system, relationships and communication.
Participants were able to receive immediate feedback from the horses about how they were showing up and the impact that they were having both positive and not so positive. Participants could not rely on their technical competence and so observable behaviour both as individuals and in their teams generated lots of responses, insights and great discussion.
For many, it was a very powerful and meaningful experience. Highly recommend it as a wonderful experience in a great setting, away from the office.”
— Francesca Talevi
Senior Consultant, Learning Centre Executive Education
Melbourne Business School
Carmel Pelunsky
“Jackie is an extremely skilled facilitator who is able to combine an empathy, intellectual depth and willingness to go with both the tough stuff and the humour of the moment. This enables her to facilitate in a way that creates the context for change of the heart and mind.”