Tammy is a Registered Psychologist, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and Animal-Assisted Therapist. She has been working with children and teens in a clinical setting for the past 13 years, and has been engaged in Animal-Assisted Therapy since 2013.

Tammy is the Executive Director of Family Counselling Centres in Alberta, and the Co-Founder of The Institute of Child Psychology. She also provides clinical supervision to Masters-level interns completing their graduate degree in Counselling Psychology, Provisional Psychologists in Alberta, play therapists in training, and those wanting to incorporate Animal-Assisted Therapy into their clinical practice.

Tammy grew up on a farm, was extensively involved in 4-H, and has always had a passion for working with animals. She owns a ranch south of Leduc, Alberta where she runs her own Animal-Assisted Therapy program. Her program utilizes horses, miniature horses, pygmy goats, dogs, cats, and chickens.

Cierra Chmiliar is a Registered Psychologist & Registered Play Therapist, located in Alberta, Canada. She primarily works with children, teens, and families, specializing in play therapy and Animal-Assisted Therapy (primarily Equine-Assisted Therapy). She currently works at a facility with horses, miniature horses, pygmy goats, dogs, cats, and chickens as animal- assistants.

Cierra grew up owning horses and dogs, and was a semi-professional show jumper for many years. When she became a Psychologist, she was thrilled to be able to pair her helping profession with her lifelong passion for animals.

Lucy Sloan is the owner and founder of Lil’ Steps Wellness Farm in St. Malo, Manitoba. She provides Animal-Assisted Therapy services to children and adolescents with the help of her many animal assistants. Lucy is also the proud mother of three children and takes pride in her role as a mother, mentor, and teacher to them. 

Lucy has over 20 years of experience and education in the mental health and counselling field. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and her Applied Counselling Certification. She went on to complete her Animal-Assisted Therapy Professional Certification and is in the process of being certified as an Equine Facilitated Wellness Mental Health Professional with Equine Facilitated Wellness Canada. She is also a Registered Professional Counsellor with the Canadian Professional Counselling Association and a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. 

Lucy has worked with children and teens for many years, providing both individual and group-based Animal-Assisted Therapy services.  She works along with her animal assistants to help improve mental well-being.  Lucy is an author of her first children’s story book, Cindy and Cristabelle’s Big Scare. This book and activity booklet is based on the real animals at her farm and incorporates the practices of Animal-Assisted Therapy to teach children how to manage anxiety more effectively. She has created both a school-based and parent and caregiver program from this story to help build capacity in the adults of children who struggle with mental health difficulties. Lucy is passionate and a strong believer in strength-based work with children and teens as well as providing the necessary emotional regulation skills to help prevent future mental health difficulties in youth.