Tania Carns started her journey with Equine Assisted Therapy Australia during one of the toughest moments of her life.
In the years leading up to the course, she had experienced a mild stroke, divorce and a significant trauma.
At the same time, she was trying to navigate the uncertainty of Covid lockdowns with two children.
Each day had become a quiet struggle to find her footing again.
Tania often thought about her happy childhood memories, growing up in the strong horse community of Mansfield, in Victoria.
As a child, she enjoyed long overnight rides with her dad and even hung out on the film set of Man from Snowy River, where he appeared as an extra.
But in adulthood, life had challenged her in ways she didn’t expect.
To get her through these tough times, Tania decided she needed a horse in her life again.
She came across a Quarter Horse named RIP, who was being sold locally in Mansfield.
Tania said she had an instant connection with RIP and bought him without hesitation.
“He was my rock – I spent nearly every day in the paddock with RIP.
He comforted me in many ways and made every day a little bit easier and more bearable.
I sometimes even fell asleep with him.”
While spending time with RIP, Tania began to reflect on her life.
She was an accountant running her own business TLC Bookkeeping Solutions, a mother to two teenage children and she was also developing property on the side.
On the surface, her life looked successful, but in reality, she had already experienced a mild stroke just before her 40th birthday and then a significant trauma in 2021.
She realised her life had become hectic – and a far cry from the long, slow days on horseback which she loved so much as a child growing up in Victoria’s high country.
Tania decided she wanted to change her life and make it more meaningful.
“I wanted to help others in the same way my horse helped me.
So, I researched Equine Assisted Therapy and found EATA to be the most reputable course provider.”
Tania started EATA’s Counselling course, specialising in equine assisted mental health, in 2022.
Despite being very dysregulated and suffering from PTSD, she found the course to be her safe landing place.
With the support of her teachers, the program and her cohort in Victoria, she was given the tools to help her heal and to support others.
After the course Tania said she felt like a new person.
“The growth in myself was huge – I learnt a lot.
I started spending time with horses and learnt so much about them, which was also a big plus.
One key thing that stood out for me from doing EATA’s course is the greater and deeper connection and understanding I now have with horses.”
Since graduating in 2024, Tania has started TLC Equine Assisted Therapy & Counselling from her property in Kangaroo Ground, north-east of Melbourne.
She has a herd of eight horses, and a King Charles Cavilier Spaniel named Dusty, who is also part of the team.
Together they help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as people experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD and autism.
Tania said she hasn’t looked back.
“I am really enjoying this work and find it really satisfying to be helping others whilst spending everyday with my beautiful animals.
I attended an amazing conference in May this year run by Nature Based Therapies where I gained more knowledge and connections in the industry.
I am constantly doing short courses and enjoy learning everything I possibly can.
Some days I look around at this life I’ve created and can’t believe it’s mine.”
EATA graduate Tania Carns with one of her herd members Elton, a rescue pony who was named after Elton John because of his spunk and his flair for doing what he wants.