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MEET THE TEAM

JESSAMINE ("JESSIE") IHRCKE

JESSAMINE ("JESSIE") IHRCKE

MANAGING DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

Jessie is the Managing Director and Founder of THERIS. She has a long and extensive background in Equine Assisted Therapy having previously worked as the Operations Manager at the Riding for the Disabled Association Hong Kong and as an Instructor at the Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore.

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She was also the Head Equine Assisted Therapist and a Riding Instructor for the Equestrian Federation of Singapore (EFS) based at the National Equestrian Centre (NEC). Her role with the EFS included the development and delivery of the EQUAL ARK Program - Equine Assisted Therapy For At-Risk Kids, a landmark program funded by Temasek Holdings.
 
Jessie has a degree in Psychology and Counselling from the University of Surrey Roehamption (UK) and a diploma in Equine Assisted Therapy (IGOGO, Germany). She is fluent in English and German, and has a good knowledge of Cantonese. 

AMEERAH MATTAR

AMEERAH MATTAR

EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIST

Ameerah is an Equine-Assisted Therapist with THERIS and also a clinical psychologist by training. She has experience with a range of psychological difficulties including depression, anxiety, stress management, self-esteem issues, and emotional and behavioural difficulties. She has also previously worked in Singapore and overseas in both public and private practice settings. 

 

Prior to joining the THERIS team, Ameerah was the Clinical Director at EQUAL-ARK Singapore Ltd., where she was in charge of facilitating as well as overseeing the curriculum planning and delivery of the equine-assisted learning programs there. She has also completed trainings and certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) and the British Horse Society (BHS). 

 

Ameerah believes in the powerful impact horses can have in helping us to learn more about ourselves, as well as in healing and transforming lives. She is thankful to be able to combine her professional training with her love for horses in her work at THERIS. 

LAVANNYA ("LAVA")

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LAVA

EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIST

Lava is an Equine-Assisted Therapist who joined the team after attaining knowledge and experience through an extensive and immersive apprenticeship at THERIS. 

 

With a degree in Psychological Science, Lava's therapy background covers: 

  • Supporting clients from the Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders in Vancouver, BC;

  • Aiding residents from the Institute of Mental Health Singapore diagnosed with schizophrenia, speech impairment and intellectual disabilities through therapeutic activities; and

  • Developing and delivering curriculum materials and activities to support educational, cognitive and socio-emotional development for children aged 7 -12.

 

Aside from her apprenticeship with THERIS, Lava has prior experience working in Vancouver as a stable hand aiding with equine-related tasks. She is also certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and Strides to Success on: 

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder;

  • Trauma-informed practises for youth participants; and 

  • Working with kids with cerebral palsy. 

Lava is currently pursuing a diploma in Equine Studies from the University of Guelph. 

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With her passion for replacing the stigma surrounding mental illness, Lava aims to make a difference through therapy by incorporating her experience and newfound knowledge. Through her advocacy, Lava believes that her act of building a relationship between horses and humans will improve her clients' overall mental and physical well-being.

CATHY LIVINGSTON

CATHY LIVINGSTON:

STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES ... !

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