Meet the Communities For Horses team
Communities For Horses is run by a dedicated team of volunteers. The charity is overseen by a dedicated board of trustees, all with a passion for animal welfare, education and community development.
Ana Rose
I am an Investor Relations and Communications specialist. Also, I have been assisting Charities as a volunteer with their communications and fundraising strategy, which is how I learnt about Communities For Horses and the innovative work that they do.
Having had experience working with charities helping children and youngsters in deprived areas and being an animal lover, Communities For Horses is a perfect fit. With this good fit and God willing, I trust we will be able to have a positive impact in Swansea and beyond.
Joanna Hockenhull
I am an animal behaviour and welfare research scientist with a MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and a PhD on the welfare of leisure horses in the UK. My research has been primarily on equines and farmed livestock, with a particular focus on the influence of human perceptions and attitudes on decision-making and welfare. Since having the realisation that changing human behaviour is key to improving animal welfare, I have been increasingly involved in human behaviour change research and I am a member of the Human Behaviour Change for Life specialist team.
I have had Irish Cob Oscar on part loan since he arrived on our yard as a very gangly 4-year-old and he keeps me on track with all things horsey. I heard about the amazing work of CFH when Lisa spoke about it at a conference that I was attending, and it made a huge impression on me. I am so excited to be appointed trustee and to be part of this proactive charity as they continue, and develop, their incredible work with local communities and their horses.
Marie Rowland
I graduated with a PhD in Veterinary Science from the University of Edinburgh. My PhD thesis was on the welfare of Gypsy, Roma & Traveller (GRT) owned horses in the UK and Ireland. I also completed the MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour & Animal Welfare. Prior to that, I worked with Traveller horse owners and was one of the founding members of Shannon Horse Project in the West of Ireland. This project was set up in 2010 following negotiations on leasing of land between Traveller horse owners and the Local Authority. A number of relevant courses were organised to work towards increased horse health and welfare such as farrier skills, body condition scoring and nutrition.
I first heard of `Communities For Horses` at a Horse Health Clinic where I was collecting data for my PhD project. I was very impressed to hear about the work that this small organisation accomplishes, and I was particularly drawn to the non-judgemental approach that CFH adopts. I look forward to being part of this charity as they continue to build on the good work that has already been achieved.