ATL National Disability Forum

Brian has 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, providing strong leadership over the course of his career. Brian was awarded with lifetime membership of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) & has an extensive network of corporate relationships throughout Australia.’

Summer Farrelly (They/Them) is a 18-year-old inclusion advocate, education consultant, public speaker, animal behaviourist, creator, and facilitator of an animal
assisted learning program. They are currently in their third year studying a Bachelor of Zoology. Summer is also the Youth Ambassador for ATL.

Sheetal works in the Justice and Equity Centre’s (JEC) project on Disability Rights. She uses her specialist knowledge of NDIS policy and laws to empower disability advocates and to compel systemic change, and represents clients to appeal decisions of the NDIA. Sheetal also advises and represents clients in unlawful disability discrimination claims in the Australian Human Rights Commission and Federal Court. Sheetal will share the work the JEC has been doing on the rights of assistance animal handlers.

Lisa & Lilly began their journey in 2017. One dog, one human, engaging with assistance animal law and processes to become an independent handler team.

Lisa shares her skills freely  online and in the real world, where requests for help began to flow in - Assistance Paws was born 2018.

Fast forward to 2024 and we support a thriving community of handlers enjoying their best lives with their assistance animals - in our Assistance Paws program, and more broadly as independent teams and handlers with other organisations we consult to.

I am an endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist. I have previously worked in child/youth/family mental health in both community and hospital settings as a play therapist, conducting life skills training, experiential and psychotherapy groups and family work. For a number of years now I have specialised in therapy with children, young people and adults, working alongside animals and nature on my little farm sanctuary.

Jay is the Manager and Clinical Director of two private practices in Western Australia.  She has had a therapy dog for 12 years and engages with adults and children in Animal Assisted Therapy, providing counselling and Psychology services to the community that includes NDIS clients.

Meg Kirby is a Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Author, Consultant, and Director of The Equine & Animal Assisted Psychotherapy Institute, and a passionate advocate for the healing wisdom of horses, animals, and nature. Meg and her husband live on a countryside property home to a herd of thirteen horses, three cats, one dog and a kangaroo sanctuary. In other words, Meg is a serious animal lover. Meg’s career began in homelessness and community mental health, evolving through in-patient and out-patient child and family psychiatry before transitioning to private practice as a psychotherapist and animal assisted psychotherapist, educator, supervisor and consultant. After over three decades of working with clients of all ages and experiences, she feels compelled to train the next generation of equine assisted and animal assisted practitioners, dedicating thirteen years to this specialist mission at the Institute training over 1000 students since 2011. Meg currently has a small private practice serving pro bono and private clients in animal assisted psychotherapy and online psychotherapy.

Anne is an Equine Assisted Learning professional, who has developed a program to support children to develop their sensory regulation through exploring their senses. She also uses her therapy dog, cats and chooks to support children’s development. Anne is passionate about using animals and the natural environment to support young children to achieve their goals in a loving, caring way. 

• NDIA registered Service Provider

Shadia (pronouns they/them) is the proud owner and founder of Autism Actually, and enjoys presenting and consultancy. They are also an ambassador of the Autistic-led organisation Yellow Ladybugs. Shadia is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) and has completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) and a Cert IV in Animal Behaviour and Training. They have professional interests in autism, multimodal communication supports, animal-assisted services, and language. Shadia was formally identified with Autism at the age of three and ADHD at 23. They are proudly queer and enjoy discussing the intersectionality of Autism and the LGBTQIA+ community. As an AuDHD person with experience accessing therapeutic supports, Shadia is passionate about sharing how to view Autism from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.

Sarah Munn Biography Sarah Munn AHPRA registered occupational therapist, Member of Australian Meditation Association, Animal Therapies Ltd Member & Therapy Working Party Chair Sarah is an occupational therapist with 3 decades experience of working in paediatrics, mental health and disability sectors both in Australia and the UK. She began Barefoot Therapists in 2012, gradually growing the practice to a multi-disciplinary team of 25 people providing services at a child and family centre and a farm. Sarah shares her knowledge, skills and lived experiences of her neurodiverse family with therapists through professional development, clinical supervision and animal/equine assisted therapy education both online and at her farm on the Mornington Peninsula. She still sees some children with very complex presentations and situations, but now mostly works upskilling parents, carers and other professionals.

Melainie (“Lainie”) is both an exercise physiologist and an osteopath. She has been involved in both academia and clinical practice for all of her career, working across private practice, hospitals, and university clinics. She is currently the program leader for the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours) – Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Southern Queensland. She thoroughly enjoys leading a team of staff to train exercise physiologists of the future. Lainie loves being outdoors, engaging in endurance activity, working on projects over a long time, and including animals (therapy dogs and horses) in her clinical practice.

Sarah Macdonald is the CEO and Founder of Canine Comprehension. With a background in education and a passion for animal-assisted therapy, Sarah has designed evidence-based programs that harness the unique benefits of AAI dogs to support students’ wellbeing, social skills, and learning outcomes. Her innovative approach ensures each curriculum is inclusive, adaptable, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of neurodiverse and vulnerable students. Through Canine Comprehension, Sarah and her team have  partnered with schools across Victoria  to deliver impactful sessions that foster emotional regulation, confidence, and engagement in the classroom. Her commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement has established Canine Comprehension as a trusted provider in the education sector, especially for special development schools. Sarah’s vision is to create compassionate, transformative learning experiences that empower every student to thrive.

Through the combination of specialized qualifications including a Bachelor of Education (B Ed), a Master of Environmental Education (M Env Ed), certification as an Equine Assisted Facilitator - EAQ (UK), and a Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Aware Education, I have been able to design and implement impactful programs for learners who are disengaged from traditional education systems. Over the past 15 years, this expertise has fuelled a mission to foster growth, engagement, and healing through innovative approaches.

Dr Talitha ‘Tilly’ Clements is an OT with over 10 years’ experience as an OT, and over 14 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities and animals within a therapeutic context. Tilly is currently actively involved in providing canine and equine-assisted therapy within her role as an OT through Cornwall House Occupational Therapy Services and also aiding people with their assistance animal journeys including funding applications. Tilly primarily works alongside her ‘Therapy Dog’ teammate – Dash who is a 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and horses from her local Riding for the Disabled Organisation – Capricorn in WA. Tilly also actively aids in puppy raising and training assistance animals and is currently the chairperson for the Western Australian Assistance and Therapy Dogs Charity.

Nadia Knight is a Developmental Educator (DE) who specialises in animal-assisted therapy for children, young people, and adults with disability. Working within the NDIS and DE frameworks, Nadia’s practice is grounded in person-centred, strengths-based approaches that support communication, functional living skills, mindfulness, and social skill development. As a DE, she brings specialist knowledge in developmental theory and practical strategies to assist people with disability. At her practice, Montrose Hills Therapy | Developmental Education, based in Conway in the Whitsundays (Qld), Nadia support participants on The Therapy Space on the Farm, an animal and nature-based setting where therapeutic goals are integrated with real-life, engaging activities. Her collaborative approach focuses on emotional regulation, independence, and functional growth. Nadia’s experience highlights the importance of adaptive, evidence-based practice and multidisciplinary teamwork in achieving meaningful outcomes for participants and their families.

Animal Therapies Ltd Founder, Mental Health Outreach, Health Promotion Activities and Media

Holding an MBA, Wendy has held board roles and senior management positions across a number of industries, including CEO of a not-for-profit business advisory service which held contracts with the NSW government. Wendy also held a Board position with a counselling service funded by the Attorney General, specialising in supporting parents and children, strengthening families through respectful relationships. Wendy’s passion is making a positive difference to the lives of others.

In March 2018, Alex completed a successful 30 years career in the federal public sector, working in agencies such as the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Workplace Relations and the Department of Defence. Alex was selected for the Senior Executive Service within the Department of Veterans Affairs in early 2012. Alex joined FearLess as CEO in October 2018 and was responsible for delivering its first National Conversation on Post Traumatic Stress in August 2019.

Singer/songwriter Rachael Leahcar’s dynamic range, explosive vocals and powerful performances have stunned audiences across the globe. Rachael smashed Australian television records when 4.1 million people tuned in to watch her Blind Audition on the first season of The Voice (2012). With a career that has seen her release three Top 10 ARIA charting albums, tour her live show to sold out crowds and travel to Italy to sing with Andrea Bocelli’s orchestra, Rachael has shown that she is capable of achieving anything despite being legally blind.