Jo is the co founder of EquATA and specialises in the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. She is also a valuable member of the Riding with Autism team. Jo has the brunt of pretty much all the jobs, she helps out with the horse chores on a daily basis, acts as a therapist during the day, leads the horses for the children, markets with presentations and talks to councils, fills out the funding bids, keeps the accounts, takes all the phone calls and bookings and well pretty much everything! She is truly a star and the glue that holds the place together.
Nat Stobbe
Nat and Jo met at a field gate and 3 months later EquATA was founded. Their unique skills allow them to work as a team and provide services for our clients. Nat herself has had horses for many years and works with a natural horsemanship manner. She has many qualifications in the Psychotherapy side and works as a councillor in-between her working with us at EquATA. She is a busy lady but an important part of the team.
Ellie Hawkins
Ellie is Jo’s daughter and one director of EquATA. She is specialised in the Riding with Autism and background with horses allow her to create a safe and specific experience for the children. Ellie competed to a high level in her youth with western riding and uses these skills to create a great ride for the children.
Kevin Quick
Kevin is also certified in the Horse Boy Method offering the Sensory & Riding experience. He is a valued member of our team and great with children offering support on all levels. His background with horses allow him to create bonds and make the impossible seem possible; That's if you can get him away from his favourite and trusted stead known, not to mention the trampoline"
Equine Assisted Pyschotherapy
Equine Assisted Therapy Association
Who we are
EquATA (Equine Assisted Therapy Association) is a not-for-profit organisation specialising in horse assisted mental health therapy. Founder trustees Jo Hawkins, Equine Specialist, and Nathaly Stobbe, Mental Health Specialist, together with several horses make up the experienced therapy team.
What we do
EquATA services provide diversity within the psychotherapy, psychology and counselling fields, to include horses as a tool to facilitate awareness, potential for beneficial growth and desired change in clients who need help with therapy to enable them to overcome emotional and mental health issues.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy has a proven track record in the US, and is run here in the UK by EquATA, on a private estate within the beautiful countryside village of Grafton Underwood in Northamptonshire, in accordance with EAGALA’s code of ethical conduct.
Our objectives
To provide accessible treatment for emotional and mental health related conditions.
To preserve and promote mental wellbeing.
To facilitate beneficial personal development with experiential learning through facilitating interactions with sensitive specially selected horses, within the region of Northamptonshire and surrounding areas.
Our Aims
As a non profit making organisation EquATA aim to provide a much needed service, not only for private individuals, but also especially for:
Organisations and Authorities such as the Mental Health Department of the NHS, charitable organisations like MIND, Headways and other similar Charities, as well as other institutions offering help with emotional & mental health issues including:
