Animals have always been a central part of my life, a source of nourishment and inspiration. One of my earliest memories is the smell of warm pony in an English summer and the feeling of connectedness which that smell signifies. Horses were my passion, cats my soulmates and dogs my playmates, any animal that others rejected was taken under my wing.

I learnt from many people... from the ex army major who instilled in me at an early age the importance of Classical Horsemanship. He also taught me how to jump and to face anything, including his awful temper. And Rosa the 'horse lady' who lived in our village and gave pony rides on the beach, who showed me how to move horses with my energy and intention''. although we didn't have the vocabulary to describe it thus at the time. Then I went to live in France,. India,.. the USA,.. everywhere I went I learnt from the local people .

This is how I realised that it was not the method that was important but the practitioner, if they were centered and clear, so were their horses. It seemed similar to the martial arts which I had been studying and out of this I developed a unique approach to riding based on self-awareness, the eastern traditions such as Aikido and Zen and western body-awareness techniques. This lead to the 'Riding Raps' series of audio tapes for riders.

On returning to Britain in 1996 I decided to focus on the rehabilitation of 'problem' horses which lead me to essential oils. I became interested in Aromatherapy after reading an article by Caroline Ingraham, with whom I later trained. I experimented with the oils for myself and was impressed by how effective they could be in both physical and behavioural problems...... and I fell in love! ..... I love using essential oils with animals, it is so respectful and non-invasive. Their responses are so clear and sometimes their recovery has been nigh on miraculous. I love to share this passion with others as well. I still focus on working with emotional/ behavioural problems in horses and dogs but am also dedicated to educating people in the use of Essential Oil Therapy .

I am now on the commitee of the Guild of Essential Oil Therapy for Animals which is a self regulatory body set up to maintain professional standards and educate the public in safe use of essential oils. I also teach on their certification course.

Life has been my main teacher and although I hold certificates in various subjects they are small indicators on the continuing quest to learn about myself and, where possible, help animals live happier lives. I list the relevant qualifications here.

• Certificate in Aromatherapy for Animals and Touch for Health for Animals. Epona institute,1999
• Post Graduate Certificate in the 5 elements and Aromatic Energetics, The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy
• 2001 International Certificate in Aromatherapy. Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy
• 2002 Certificate in Systematic Kinesiology. T.A.S.K