ABOUT SPECIAL SPIRIT
MEET OUR TEAM
EVA LUND
Executive Director
PATH International Certified Riding Instructor
EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist
Eva opened Moonshadow Ranch in 2005; a small ranch nestled in the heart of ShadowHills. A few years later, she founded Special Spirit Inc., a Los Angeles-based nonprofitproviding inclusive equine-assisted services for individuals with special needs, at-riskyouth, and those in recovery. Eva is a PATH International Certified Therapeutic RidingInstructor and EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist with over 20 years of experience anda lifelong love of horses. Her deep, intuitive bond with horses fuels her belief in theirpowerful role in emotional healing and personal growth. Eva is passionately committedto making equine-assisted services a recognized and mainstream form of therapy.Under her leadership, Special Spirit has grown into a trusted provider of trauma-informed care, partnering with educators, clinicians, and community organizations toexpand access, promote equity, and deliver lasting impact across Los Angeles.
CASSIE HURLBUT
PATH International Certified Riding Instructor
EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist
Cassie Hurlbut brings a unique blend of creative arts and therapeutic experience to Special Spirit. A former film industry professional turned PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and EAGALA Equine Specialist, Cassie is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Counseling. She is passionate about making equine-assisted services more accessible and trauma-informed, with a focus on supporting families, youth, and marginalized communities. At Special Spirit, Cassie helps foster connection, confidence, and healing through purposeful, inclusive horsemanship.
ELIZABETH GITTO
Instructor | Facilitator, ESMHL, Equine Meditation and Mindfulness
After experiencing the profound healing power of horses following her own brain surgery, Elizabeth embarked on a journey that combines her lifelong love for these magnificent creatures with a passion for helping others heal. Certified as a Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) with PATH International and the proud owner of two horses, Pal and Midnight, she has dedicated herself to understanding the unique connection between humans and horses. She is certified in both Equine Massage Therapy and Equine Meditation, and feels deeply honored each time she enters an arena or simply stands in the presence of a horse. Elizabeth looks forward to guiding others through their own healing journeys in a mindful way that nurtures both body and soul.
ROSE POIRIER
Instructor
Rose brings over ten years of experience in therapeutic and recreational riding. She follows PATH International guidelines, always putting safety first while creating a fun, enthusiastic, and supportive learning environment. Rose is skilled in building trust and communication between horse and rider. Her compassionate, patient approach helps riders build confidence, form meaningful connections, and grow both in and out of the saddle.
DANIELLE VORNKAHL
Instructor
With a background in Art and Play Therapy Danielle marries her years of horse experience with over 15 years of specializing in early childhood development and education. Danielle believes in meeting students where they are with patients and playfulness to help build confidence and a love of learning. She believes that clear communication, clear expectations and routine are important to build a supportive learning environment for horse and rider alike.
APRIL BAILEY
Instructor
April is dedicated to creating an environment where both people and animals feel comfortable, confident, and excited to learn. With ten years of English riding experience and five years focused on natural horsemanship, she brings a well-rounded and intuitive approach to her lessons. She has taught beginners both in Canada and California, making learning fun, safe, and inspiring for students and horses alike. Her teaching style emphasizes patience, trust, and clear communication—helping riders understand not just how to ride, but why horses respond the way they do.
DAVID SHAPIRO
Equine-Assisted Services Facilitator, NLC-P
David is extremely passionate about the healing capacity of horses. Deeply committed to recovery for over two decades, he has experienced a profound connection with horses in a personal and a professional capacity. He combines his years of experience in recovery and mental health with equine-assisted activities to best serve fellows in recovery. David is certified in Natural Lifemanship (NLC-P), a trauma-informed equine-assisted services modality focused on emotional regulation and the development of healthy, connected relationships.
LAUREN AZMA
EAS Facilitator, NLC-P, EP
Certified through Natural Lifemanship as a Trauma-Informed Equine Professional and Coach (NLC-P, EP), Lauren brings a lifetime of horse experience across various riding disciplines, from competitive showing to casual hacking. Lauren has found her true calling in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS). She is deeply passionate about the authentic connection between humans and horses, wholeheartedly believing in the powerful, transformative healing that this unique partnership fosters.
KATIE GRINER, LMFT
Staff therapist
Katie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#163816) who believes in the healing power of connection to ourselves, to others, to animals, and to the world around us. She is passionate about helping people step out of their heads, reconnect with their bodies, and become more present in their lives. Katie received her BA in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She is trained in DBT, ERP, TF-CBT, and Narrative Therapy, and draws from these approaches to support her work in Animal-Assisted Therapy. Katie deeply values the ways that animals and nature can create opportunities for connection, for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healing. Outside of work, Katie enjoys exploring nature with her cat, spending time at the beach, playing the violin, and crocheting.
DR ERICA REID, OTD, OTR/L
Equine-Assisted Services & Myofascial Release Practitioner
Dr. Erica Reid, OTD, specializes in myofascial release, pelvic floor therapy, and trauma-informed care through her holistic private practice. Through her nonprofit A New Dawn, she offers specialized equine-assisted therapies for survivors of sex trafficking at Special Spirit. Trained in equine coaching and learning, Dr. Reid seamlessly blends arena-based equine sessions, therapy table work surrounded by horses, and hands-on bodywork. Her practice focuses on the intersection of somatic recovery and equine connection, helping clients achieve deep mind-body awareness and nervous system regulation.
NICOLETTA HEIDEGGER, LMFT
​Staff therapist
Nicoletta von Heidegger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#110256) practicing in Los Angeles. Nicoletta received her BA in Psychology from Stanford University, her MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, and her MEd in Human Sexuality from Widener University. Nicoletta has training in EAGALA and Natural Lifemanship, though she usually works from an eclectic approach with animal assisted and eco therapies and sees clients in private practice both at the ranch and virtually. Nicoletta believes in embodied practice and is certified in levels I and II of The Trauma Resiliency Model. When not working with clients, Nicoletta creates and hosts the growing hit podcast Sluts & Scholars and teaches educational seminars, retreats, and classes to help others learn about sexual and mental health.
LAURA KANANI APOLIONA-JONES, CMT MAcHM
Human & Equine Myofascial Release
Practicing since 2007, Laura is a holistic bodyworker holding a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and foundational training from the Hands On Healing Institute. Her practice blends advanced Myofascial Release with traditional Polynesian healing modalities, including Lomilomi and Lomi A’e. Laura’s integrative approach identifies and releases chronic physical pain while supporting corresponding emotional release. As an Equine Bodyworker, she also works with horse-and-rider pairs to correct "mirrored dysfunction," helping both partners achieve balance, harmony, and optimal performance across any riding discipline.
THE SPECIAL SPIRIT VOLUNTEER FARM TEAM
SUZY & THERESA, TINA & TANNER
Suzy is hired by Tierra Del Sol, she assists the associates that work at the Farm during the week. Suzy over sees all their work duties, i.e. bringing out the animals and horses to the arena. Suzy helps with the trimmings of the trees and bushes as the associates help with the cleaning up of the trimmings and raking to make the farm look nice. Suzy works with the associates on learning how to put on a halter and a lead rope, for the horses and goats. Suzy and her associates are also learning to milk the goats. Theresa enjoys giving tours of the farm, telling them about the goats, mini horses and donkey. Tina enjoys working at the farm. Her favorite part is working with the animals. She loves bringing the horses out to the arena. Tanner likes Pixy, the mini horse. He is also a fan of our pigs. He enjoys bringing the mama goat and baby goat out of the barn.
SHENAE & JON
Shenae, been happily working at Special Spirit Farm for going on 3 years. She is the Job Coach of our petting farm zookeeper, Jon. Shenae assists Jon in the garden area, on his daily duties as the zookeeper and with wrangling the critters. She helps to organize the team and volunteers on the daily tasks around the farm. Duties that make it a wonderful place to visit, volunteer or tour. Shenae loves to be around the animals the most. It is the best part of my Job. Jon is the petting farm zookeeper. He wrangles the critters, make sure the grounds are looking nice and especially around the green house. Jon loves to drive the critters from the barn to the arena, to be turned out. But his favorite thing is to take Glitter, our donkey to and from the arena. He enjoys his work here very much.