Sue's journey with horses began at the age of 12 and continued until she left for college. With a Primary Honours Degree in Science, she later pursued a Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, leading her into youth advocacy, child care, and child protection roles with organizations such as the ISPCC, YAP Ireland, Le Chéile Mentoring, and Llamau in Wales. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from UWE Bristol and worked in teaching until becoming a parent.
As a mother of four children with varying additional needs, Sue found herself seeking support outside of the HSE system. She turned to private Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy (EAOT) services for early intervention when her children were just two and four years old. This powerful experience reignited her connection with horses and inspired a new direction in her life.
In 2022, Sue completed the QQI Level 6 Therapeutic Riding Coach course with Festina Lente and earned her BHS Stage 2 qualifications. By March 2023, she launched her own Equine Assisted Service, built on the principles of empathy, accessibility, and lived experience. Her personal and professional journey led her to co-create EquiSense—a service born from a desire to offer the kind of transformative support her own family once received.
