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
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. As a soon-to-be Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor 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.
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
David has been with Special Spirit since March of 2024 and 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.
Dr Erica Reid, OTD, OTR/L
Equine-Assisted Services & Myofascial Release Practitioner
Dr. Erica Reid is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy specializing in myofascial release, pelvic floor therapy, and trauma-informed care. She runs a private practice dedicated to holistic healing and has extensive experience working with trauma survivors. In 2022, she brought her horse, Reva, to Special Spirit, along with A New Dawn, her nonprofit organization, to provide equine-assisted therapies for survivors of sex trafficking.
Erica has trained in Equine Coaching with Kathy Pike and in Equine Learning at a private ranch in Tennessee. She is currently pursuing certification in Natural Lifemanship, a trauma-informed equine-assisted services approach that emphasizes emotional regulation and healthy, connected relationships.
At Special Spirit, Erica integrates her expertise in myofascial release through arena-based sessions, therapy table work surrounded by horses, and equine-assisted therapy. Passionate about the intersection of trauma recovery and somatic healing, she helps clients cultivate deeper mind-body awareness and nervous system regulation through her work.
BRIANA FERRON, LMFT
Clinical Staff
Briana Ferron is an LMFT & owner/clinical supervisor of Sweetgrass Therapy in Los Angeles. As an EMDR Certified Therapist, Briana helps those to heal from past trauma and find joy in daily life. Her background includes significant work with CPTSD, attachment trauma, and foster youth. Through gaining her certificate as an equine assisted psychotherapist from the post masters program at the University of Denver, Briana’s passion lies in harnessing the power of equine interactions within psychotherapy to rejuvenate and form connections to those affected by trauma.
NICOLETTA HEIDEGGER, LMFT
Clinical Staff
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
Myofascial Release Therapist, Equine Myofascial Release Therapist, Massage Therapist
Laura has been compassionately serving the Los Angeles community as a holistic bodyworker since 2007, receiving her massage and Myofascial Release training from Hands On Healing Institute in neighboring Tujunga, CA. She has studied Lomilomi in the renowned style of Aunty Margaret Machado, learning from her daughter Nerita Machado at Keei Beach, South Kona, and was also a grateful student of Uncle Freddie Tiramakea of the Aitutaki Cook Islands in the ancient Polynesian healing art of structural alignment known as Lomi A’e, Kakekirunga. Laura earned her Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree at Dongguk University Los Angeles. Her healing touch skillfully identifies and releases chronic aches and pains while facilitating the body’s natural expression of the corresponding emotional component. In addition to her human practice, she is an Equine Bodyworker who enjoys helping both horse and rider address their shared “mirrored dysfunction,” restoring balance, connection, calmness, and fitness to both partners, whatever their goals or 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.