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Mission

Human and Horse Connections for Personal Growth and Healing

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Vision

TAILS will allow anyone in the community the opportunity to partner with horses to better themselves, regardless of income, ability or age, and continue to grow in program variety and meeting participant’s unique needs.

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Tiffany Nichols

Tiffany’s extensive background in horsemanship, mental health, and child welfare has inspired her to create a transformative program designed to help youth and families thrive. Through Horse Connected Learning, she offers experiential, hands-on opportunities where participants partner with horses to build essential life skills. The unique emotional connection that horses provide, combined with structured horsemanship practices, supports personal growth, resilience, and deep learning. Tiffany’s programs harness the therapeutic and educational power of horses to foster meaningful, lasting change.

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Tiffany’s relaxed and authentic approach helps kids feel safe opening up and embracing experiences that support their growth. Although maintaining some structure during coaching sessions is essential, she prioritizes the fluidity of each session to cater to the participant's current needs, comfort level, and emotions.

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"I just really believe kids need more chances to build life skills—like how to get through tough stuff and deal with what they're feeling. A lot of the time, we take that away by doing things for them. At the same time, so many kids are going through really hard situations-trauma or chaotic home lives- and they don’t have a safe, comfortable space to work through it all."

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Qualifications

  • Certified EFL Instructor/Coach from the Human-Equine Relational Development (HERD) Institute
  • B.A. Psychology, Arizona State University
  • Certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid (2022).
  • Education in Youth Trauma-Informed Care from the Center for Adolescent Studies.
  • Equine Science Program, Scottsdale Comm. College
  • 36 years experience in the horse industry
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Additional experience and background:
  • Employment with CPS both in Phoenix, AZ and Montezuma County developing knowledge of the child welfare system, families in need, and high risk youths.
  • Employment in adult mental health in Phoenix, AZ.
  • Experience and education working with individuals with addiction issues. 
  • Foster Parent for Montezuma County. 
  • Special interest in at risk youth and teens.
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Toiyabe Hoyopatubbi

Toiyabe Hoyopatubbi (Doy-yo-be Hoy-yo-pot-uh-be)
 

Toiyabe’s deep connection with animals and the natural world has shaped their path into mental health care. As an Animal-Assisted Therapist, they primarily work with children and youth ages 4 to 17, creating a welcoming space where clients can choose from a variety of animals—horses, rabbits, chickens, cats, and a goat—as partners in their healing journey. Toiyabe integrates mindfulness, movement, play, and art-based activities along with time in nature to help children build social-emotional skills, practice identifying and expressing emotions, improve communication, and develop healthy coping skills.

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With eight years of experience, Toiyabe’s clinical background includes work in educational and wilderness settings, as well as culturally rooted Indigenous peer recovery programs. They bring a trauma-informed, grief-attuned, client-centered approach to therapy and are currently working toward their LCSW licensure.
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