HETI Wisdom Board

What is wisdom board?

At HETI, we believe in the value of experience and the importance of learning from our past. To further enhance our strategic direction, we have invited former HETI Presidents to join our newly established HETI Wisdom Board. With their wealth of knowledge, vast experience, and deep understanding of the field, they provide invaluable guidance to ensure that we continue to grow while avoiding past challenges.

The Wisdom Board offers advice on critical issues, suggesting alternative approaches when needed and helping us navigate complex decisions. Current HETI Executives will connect with the Wisdom Board members online 2-3 times per year, or on demand, ensuring that their insights are available when most needed.

With this collaborative approach, we aim to build on the strong foundation of HETI’s legacy, ensuring our future continues to reflect the highest standards of leadership and innovation in Equine-Assisted Services.

Meet the HETI Presidents

Octavia J. Brown, Ed.M., D.H.L

HETI President 1997-2003
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Gundula Hauser

HETI President 2003-2009
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Pauline Perry

HETI President 2009-2012
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Sanna Mattila-Rautiainen

HETI President 2015-2021
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Gisela Heimsath-Rhodes

HETI President 2021-2024
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Octavia J. Brown, Ed.M., D.H.L

Role
HETI President 1997-2003
Country
USA
Biography
Dr. Brown is now retired and is Professor Emeritus of Equine Studies at Centenary University, Hackettstown, NJ, USA. Born in England, Octavia Brown emigrated to the US in 1964. She earned her Master of Education from Harvard University and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2008 by Centenary University. A founder of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (now PATH International) in 1969, she is a PATH Master Instructor and a certified Special Olympics coach. Dr. Brown founded the first New Jersey EAS program and was co-founder of the first state organization in the US for EAS. Dr. Brown is past president of the FRDI (now HETI) and has presented at numerous conferences nationally and internationally. She is the author of numerous papers and textbook chapters on EAS. She has served on numerous committees and task forces locally, nationally and internationally. In 1998 she received PATH’s James Brady Award for Lifetime Achievement in Therapeutic Riding. Among other awards, in 2022 she received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Equus Foundation and US Equestrian Federation.

Gundula Hauser

Role
HETI President 2003-2009
Country
Austria
Biography
Born in 1945 in Salzburg, Austria, Gundula Hauser has dedicated her life to education, therapy, and equine-assisted services. She began her career with teacher training for primary education in 1964 and taught in a small village, Leogang, from 1964 to 1966. Seeking to expand her skills, she pursued studies in physiotherapy from 1966 to 1968. Her commitment to special education became evident as she helped establish a school for children with physical and mental disabilities in Tirol, Austria, from 1968 to 1970. In 1970, after her marriage and relocation to Vienna, Gundula continued her education, specializing in teaching children with disabilities, including those with learning difficulties and behavioral challenges. During this period, she also welcomed the birth of two children in 1972/73. Following a brief hiatus from teaching between 1973 and 1976, Gundula returned to the field, where she worked as a teacher for children with disabilities until 1990. In the 1980s, Gundula’s passion for equine therapy blossomed. She completed education in hippotherapy in 1982 and remedial educational vaulting and riding in 1986. From 1984 to 2000, she served on the executive board of the Austrian Association for Therapeutic Riding (Österreichisches Kuratorium für Therapeutisches Reiten), including four years as president. Gundula’s vision for equine-assisted services led her to establish the association “Österreichische Initiative – Pferde helfen Menschen” in 1990, where she has served as president since its inception. This association was awarded recognition by the Vienna government. From 1990 to 2000, she was the headmistress of a special school for children with mental disabilities in Vienna’s 2nd district. Her work extended beyond Austria. As head of equestrian sports for Special Olympics Austria from 1991 to 2012, she organized numerous national events with international participation. In addition, she trained as a counselor from 1996 to 1999, further expanding her expertise in therapeutic services. Upon retiring from the school system in 2000, Gundula focused on managing two riding stables for therapeutic riding. In 2003, she was elected President of the Federation for Riding for the Disabled International (FRDI), now known as HETI, a position she held until 2009. She also passed over one of her therapeutic riding stables to the association e.motion (now Lichtblickhof) in 2004, and the second to the association “Alisequus” in 2010, remaining president of both associations. Gundula Hauser’s lifelong dedication to therapeutic riding, education, and the support of children with disabilities has left a lasting legacy in Austria and internationally.

Pauline Perry

Role
HETI President 2009-2012
Country
Australia
Biography
Pauline Perry has devoted over 40 years to advancing therapeutic riding and equine-assisted services, both in Australia and on the international stage. Her extensive experience and leadership within the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) movement have made her a key figure in shaping the field, with contributions ranging from coaching and mentoring to program development and global advocacy. Pauline’s professional journey began in 1980 when she joined Riding for the Disabled Victoria (RDAV), where she quickly became a vital force. Her roles included Coach, Regional Coaching Coordinator, and Chairman of the State Dressage Committee, before progressing to positions of higher responsibility as State Vice President, State President, and State Head of Coaching. Until 2007, Pauline was the President and Head Coach of RDAV’s full-time centre, cementing her leadership in providing equine-assisted services to people with disabilities. On the national level, Pauline’s influence was equally significant through her work with Riding for the Disabled Australia (RDAA) between 1995 and 2006. As Vice President of RDAA’s Board, she led the development and delivery of the national coaching program, ensuring high standards across Australia. She also served as National President, led the National Dressage Championships Organizing Committee, and was Chairman of Selectors for Para Equestrian Australia. Pauline played a pivotal role in Para Equestrian events at the Sydney Paralympics and attended the Athens and Hong Kong Paralympics as a Technical Official. Her international contributions extended to attending conferences in Toronto, New Zealand, France, and Hungary, and she assisted in the development of RDA programs in the Pacific region, particularly in Hong Kong. Pauline’s leadership extended beyond the Australian context when she became involved with Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI), formerly known as the Federation for Riding for the Disabled International (FRDI), from 2006 to 2012. She served as Treasurer of the FRDI Board, was a member of the Sport and Recreation Committee, and ultimately became President of HETI, furthering the global development of equine-assisted services. Since 2007, Pauline has continued her work within Riding for the Disabled Tasmania (RDAT), where she has been a State President (2009 – 2018) and remains a State Delegate to RDAA. Her work in Tasmania includes coaching riders, mentoring coaches, visiting centres, conducting assessments, and overseeing centre audits. Pauline’s lifelong dedication has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. In 2000, she was awarded the Australian Sporting Medal for her services to RDA, followed by an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2002 for her tireless work as a coach, administrator, and fundraiser. She is also an Honorary Life Member of RDA Australia, RDA Victoria, RDA Tasmania, and RDA Kingborough, and in 2019, Pauline was inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women.

Sanna Mattila-Rautiainen

Role
HETI President 2015-2021
Country
Finland
Biography
Sanna is a certified physical therapist with a specialization in Equine Facilitated Physical Therapy (EFPT). With over 30 years of experience running her own business, she has been a pioneer in providing Equine-Assisted Physical Therapy (EAPT) services for the Finnish government and local hospital districts. Her expertise lies in sports medicine and, in particular, biomechanics, where she combines her deep understanding of human and equine movement with technical research capabilities. Sanna holds a shared doctoral position at the University of Eastern Finland, focusing on equine-assisted therapy and its impact on pain management. Her contributions to research and education in the field have been widely recognized, including her editorial work on the book “Ratsastusterapia”, which was selected as the Science Book of the Week by the Finnish Medical Association. This book has been partially translated into English under the title “Equine Facilitated Therapies – in Finland.” Sanna has been instrumental in integrating hippotherapy into the Finnish healthcare system. Since 1990, she has been negotiating with national authorities to make hippotherapy a treatment covered by national insurance, ensuring that it is accessible to individuals with special needs. Her work in pain management through hippotherapy is particularly notable. An active contributor to the global equine-assisted therapy community, Sanna has served HETI in various roles, including Board Member, Journal Editor, Vice President, and, most recently, President. Additionally, she was the President of the Finnish Association for Equine Facilitated Therapy from 2008 to 2023. Sanna has been a key figure in the development of Finnish and international curricula for Equine Facilitated Therapy and Hippotherapy. She has been teaching since 1990 and has shared her expertise across Ireland, Greece, Germany, Russia, and more, while presenting at numerous HETI Congresses. Her presentation at the Swedish Physiotherapy Conference earned her a prestigious stipend, further highlighting her contributions to the field.

Gisela Heimsath-Rhodes

Role
HETI President 2021-2024
Country
USA/Germany
Biography
Gisela, a native German, decided to see a bit of the world after she finished her Master’s degree in Education. Shortly after she arrived in the United States she met her future husband Vernon Rhodes in Boston. They moved to a farm near Worcester, MA and converted it to a boarding stable and a therapeutic riding center. Combining her lifelong passion for horses with her teaching skills she initiated and taught the Interactive Vaulting program for the North American Handicapped Riding Association (NARHA), now PathIntl. When the aging school horses were looking at semi-retirement, the move to Newcastle , ME turned out to be perfect. The horses enjoyed the vast pastures and the freedom to roam. Eventually Gisela became involved with the international organization HETI – Horses in Education and Therapy International – as faculty, board member, executive director and president. She has kept her urge for travelling and has visited many countries to teach and to learn. Her favorite pastime is photographing the animals and the beautiful surroundings of Midcoast Maine. You can reach her at www.fairtidefarm.com

HETI Wisdom Board

Role
Country
Biography