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.’

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.

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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.

Founder and Therapist at Janteloven - a counseling, psychosocial community capacity building and AAT organisation located in the Adelaide Hills. Kylie has 35 years experience working alongside vulnerable communities - in Fiji in a women’s shelter, in Cambodia in a squatter settlement, in Indonesia with families who were devastated by the 2004 tsunami and with indigenous communities in SA. She has several qualifications relating to her previous career in urban design and town planning - and a Masters in Social Work and Master of Science from Oxford Brookes University, UK. She was previously on the Board of the Animal Welfare League and the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association, and a volunteer with Lifeline for many years . Previously as a CEO of a Not for Profit supporting people who were socially isolated and with financial and psycho social barriers in their lives, she established her AAT business after experiencing first hand the power of her animals in supporting her own family though some challenging personal times in 2023. Growing up in a beef farm and previously a breeder of Smithfield Collies, these days she lectures culturally and linguistically diverse students in mental health, counseling and community development; and spends many hours on her family’s farm with her mini Shetland with dwarfism, pinto Clydesdale, Australian stock horse, her mama and baby cow, 5 dogs that have forgotten the art of being farm dogs in favour of the comfy couch, and a paddock full of chooks.

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

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.

Keira Roffey-Mitchell (FCEDP) is endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist and Educational and Developmental Psychologist. She has over 20 years of experience as a Psychologist and specializes in working with children and adolescents experiencing social and emotional difficulties. Keira also works with individuals of all ages, including parents and adults, addressing challenges from a developmental and systemic framework. She is highly experienced in supporting LGBTQI youth and families and is recognised by the ANZAED (Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders).

Renae Gunn is a trauma-informed counsellor, equine-assisted therapist, and founder of Hooves of Hope in South Australia. With qualifications in counselling, youth work, and neuroscience-informed practice, she integrates evidence-based therapies—such as ACT, CBT, and somatic interventions—with equine-assisted approaches to support neurodivergent individuals, trauma survivors, and those facing complex life challenges. A registered member of the Australian Counselling Association, Renae designs inclusive, client-led programs that foster emotional regulation, skill-building, and personal growth through the therapeutic connection with horses. She is also the driving force behind an ATO-approved research and development project that aims to establish a credible, evidence-based professional development pathway for therapists, equestrian coaches, and support workers seeking to incorporate animal-assisted interventions. Passionate, innovative, and grounded in practice, Renae is committed to advancing ethical and impactful Eqine-Assisted therapeutic services.