Ranch Team

We are a diverse team here to serve our community and provide the space for healing through connection to animals and nature.

Our Story

This Ranch was a vision manifested after many years of dreaming and hard work. Tammy & Allan were both farm kids heavily involved in their respective rural communities growing up which included several years in 4-H and being involved in their families beef and grain farming operations. Tammy's interests lie more in the equine side of things, and Allan in poultry and water fowl.

Tammy founded Family Counselling Centres in 2013 and began practicing animal-assisted therapy the year prior. She then began training other therapists in AAT and started an internship program for masters-level counselling students. She formerly leased a facility to conduct the therapeutic services, but when this property came available she knew it was the program's forever home.

The ranch not only offers counselling services (group and individual) but is the Alberta chapter training facility for Animal-Assisted Therapy through the non-profit organization Tammy founded in 2021: Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy Association (www.ccaata.com). The ranch also provides volunteer opportunities for youth to be involved with the care of the therapy animals, serves as a venue for local wedding & family photographers, and in 2022 will be offering the opportunities for corporate retreats & trainings.

Meet The Team

Tammy Schamuhn
Owner & Registered Psychologist
* Not accepting new clients

Tammy is a Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Tammy also has a Bachelors of Education from the University of Alberta and practiced as an elementary teacher in Edmonton before going on to complete her Masters degree in Psychology. Tammy is the Founder and former Executive Director of Family Counselling Centres, and the Co-Founder and Director of the Institute of Child Psychology.

Tammy has been working in private practice for the past decade in Alberta, primarily with children and their families. She also supervises offer clinical supervision masters-level counselling students, and provisional psychologists. Tammy also has a big place in her heart for animals developed an animal-assisted therapy program that operates from her property called ‘Hooves of Hope Ranch’ and founded the Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy Association (www.ccaata.com).

Tammy approaches her clinical and educational work with parents and professionals with an attachment and neurobiological lens: all of her work is based on the neurology of the brain and how attachment is integral to adaptive functioning of both children and adults. As a child who endured much trauma in her past she speaks about her personal experiences with family substance abuse, domestic violence, emotional abuse, and how the power of connection is integral to healing and overcoming adversity.

Tammy is passionate, empathic, and down to earth. Her no non-sense approach, woven with humor and personal narratives makes her relatable and her information about mental health, interpersonal neurobiology, trauma, and attachment easy to digest for the audience.

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Nicolette Bader, M.C
Mental Health Therapist

My passion for psychology started in 11th grade, as I remember sitting in AP Psychology being in awe of human sciences and its evolution. After successfully completing my Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle, and through the experience of my Internship, I feel passionate when saying that a person’s therapeutic journey starts with attachment and security. To meet the needs of each individual, an eclectic approach to counselling is necessary, as “one size does not fit all”. In addition to specialized Play Therapy training, I have also begun training in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), realizing that animals provide a unique connection to humans, by meeting sensitive attachment needs. I am eager to utilize my skills to help clients navigate moments in their life that elicit big feelings.

I am considered a Third Culture Kid (TCK) who spent 12 years of my developmental childhood years living overseas in Perth, Australia, Doha, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore, Singapore. My expanded worldview and cultural competency from this experience is an asset I bring into counselling when being mindful of cultural diversity, loss and grief, and identity confusion.

I am committed to learning from my colleagues, clients, and resources to ensure that I remain in the know of current information to help shape my eclectic and subjective approach to interventions. I strive to ensure the animals I work with exceed ethical expectations of AAT, and safety and connection are key.

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

· Children {age 5+}

· Adolescents

· Adults

· Parents

· Groups

AREAS OF INTEREST

· ADHD

· At-Risk Children & Youth

· Behavioral Concerns

· Parenting Support

· Stress/Anxiety

· Depression

· Grief & Loss

· Trauma

· Cultural

· Divorce & Separation

· LGBTQ+

Trauma

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Cierra Chmiliar
Registered Psychologist

I primarily work with children, teens, and families, specializing in play therapy and equine-assisted counselling, but can also treat teens and adults. I work from a client-centered approach, and believe a non-judgmental relationship between the client and therapist is crucial for change; working collaboratively with my clients to help them gain awareness and insight, so they can build and draw upon their own internal resources. To this effect, I use a wide range of modalities, including person-centered, play therapy, sandtray, trauma therapy (EMDR), equine-assisted therapy, art, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

I have experience working within the school system, working primarily with children with developmental disorders and their families. I have also volunteered extensively at organizations working with high-risk youth, and victims of crime. Furthermore, I am an avid horse-person; I have owned horses (and various other animals) for my entire life, and have been a semi-professional show-jumper for over 10 years.

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

Children {age 4+}
Teens
Adults
Parents

EXPERIENCED AREAS OF SUPPORT

ADHD
Autism
Behavioural Concerns
Divorce
Family Violence
Parenting Support
Trauma

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Jenny Al-Aldra, M.C.
Canadian Certified Counselor
* Not accepting new clients

I have worked with children, youth, and adults for the last 25 years in various roles at summer camp, as a youth leader, mentor, and teacher, and now look forward to walking alongside people in a counsellor role.

As a therapist I am client-focused, using a variety of modalities to meet client’s needs. I come from an existential approach, believing that everyone’s life has purpose and meaning, which can get muddled in the messiness of life. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to process and work through problems, rediscover strengths, and release potential. I believe true health comes from the integration of body, mind and spirit and positive connections with others.

Outside of counselling work I am a school counselor, have 5 kiddos of my own, I am a foster parent, breed and raise Canadian Horses, and spend as much time as possible riding in the mountains.

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

Children {age 10+}
Adolescents
Adults
Parents

AREAS OF INTEREST

ADHD
At-Risk Children & Youth
Behavioral Concerns
Parenting Support
Stress/Anxiety
Depression
Grief & Loss
Trauma

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Dani Neufeld, R Psych
ON MATERNITY LEAVE TILL SPRING 2024

I am an experienced clinician with a passion for helping others achieve personal growth and find healing in their lives. I strive to develop a genuine, warm and compassionate relationship with my clients to help support them and their goals.

I am a Registered Psychologist and animal assisted therapist. I have worked with children, youth and families in a therapeutic setting since 2010. I specialize in working with children with disabilities and complex mental health diagnoses. As well as supporting parents with parenting strategies and behaviour management. I also specialize in helping people with anxiety and depression. I use several modalities to help my clients, which include: animal assisted and equine assisted counseling, play based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and art mediums.

I am also a mom, artist and animal enthusiast who enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family.

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

Children {age 3+}
Teens
Adults
Parents

EXPERIENCED AREAS OF SUPPORT

Anxiety
ADHD
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Behavioral Concerns
Boundary Disturbances
Brain Injury
Emotional Regulation
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Global Development Delays
Intellectual Disabilities
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Multiple Complex Diagnoses
Parenting Support
Trauma

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Rhonda Monts
ON MEDICAL LEAVE

I am currently working to complete a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and am interning at Hooves of Hope Ranch working both Hooves of Hope Ranch and at Karunia Counselling starting in September 2022. I bring many years of experience with youth as a teacher with 25+ years experience. Understanding and connecting with people has always been important and I love getting to know and work with kids of all ages and their families, especially teens. For me, counselling is about building relationships, understanding strengths, and what stands in the way of success; therefore, I work through an attachment-focused lens.

I have spent most of my life on a farm surrounded by animals and have experienced the healing power of animals in all settings. It is with pleasure then that I have the help of the animals at Hooves of Hope Ranch and nature itself to work with clients at a pace that is comfortable for them as we explore issues through science-based approaches to healing. Together, alongside the animals, we will work to collaboratively identify a path forward that is right for you.

Type of Clients:
Children (9 years+), teens, adults

Presenting Issues:
Divorce/separation, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, ADHD

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Anh Ambler
Mental Health Therapist

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

I completed my undergraduate degree in Education at the University of Alberta and have spent the last 15 years working with children ages 3 and up as an elementary school teacher with specialized training and experience working with children and families who are neurodivergent or experience cognitive, social, developmental, or physical diversities. In April 2023, I completed my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.

What drew me into the field of counselling was the ability to focus on building and maintaining connections and relationships with client’s founded in an attachment based perspective and through a person-centered approach. I work collaboratively with client’s to explore how early relationships influence the way we understand, view, and belong in the world and create meaningful and purposeful goals as we journey on a path together towards healing, growth, and change. As individualistic as my clients, I use modalities specific to the needs of the client: play therapy, animal assisted therapy, art activities, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, sandtray, and person-centered therapy.

Aside from counselling, I enjoy fishing, rock climbing at the gym, hot yoga, and spending time on our acreage with my husband, 3 dogs, and cat.

CLIENTS SUPPORTED