HOrse Herd

Kelley Chaplin’s love of horses started at the young age of 3 when her parents bought their first horse -Frost. You could find Kelley in the saddle with her parents, being lead around at a gentle walk or underneath rubbing his belly. This passion never faded and would continue to grow years later. Kelley brings over 25 years of experience in the field of education, families, and children. In the mid 90’s, she began her teaching career in Orange County, California working in an Alternative Education setting. This experience led her to open Coastal Mountain Youth Academy (CMYA) in 2005, a non-profit recovery high school for young people and their families who were struggling with traumatic life events, which lead them down harmful and destructive paths. She has had the privilege and honor of working with families through some of their darkest times and supported them in restoring hope and positive change. Working with children and families also lead her back to her passion … horses. Upon opening CMYA she implemented equine sessions for youth and their families as part of the services provided. She was certified as an Equine Coach in 2010 and has continued working with horses ever since. Throughout, the last 13 years she has had the privilege to work with individuals and groups that have suffered from traumatic life events. Her experiences include veterans, individuals, families, youth, women, teachers, Route 91 survivors and Hanaeleh a local horse rescue. In 2018 Kelley and her husband purchased property in Orange Park Acres, which allowed her to open Equine Assisted Coaching OC on a full-time basis. She also developed a certification program (Equine Facilitated Coaching and Wellness-EFCW) with her business partners and began to certify both therapist and coaches in this healing modality. This unique blend of experiences combined the knowledge gained from great horsemen and horsewomen allows Kelley to be an effective equine coach, business owner, and trainer who supports clients in making change in their lives and teaches others use their skills and expertise to become certified equine coaches. It is Kelley’s life mission and passion to support people in healing and become the people they were put on this earth to be.

Sophie has had the joy of working and playing with horses for the past twenty years. After earning my B.A. in psychology from CSU, Fullerton.  She began graduate school for both clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy. She is currently a marriage and family therapist-trainee seeing clients under supervision from an LMFT and fellow equine-therapist. She is certified by EAGALA (the largest international equine therapy and learning association) to work with horses and clients in a clinical setting.

She personally experienced the benefits of a life spent with horses before she discovered the field of equine therapy and  is passionate about sharing everything horses have to offer with her clients of all ages and backgrounds.

It is truly her honor and privilege to walk along side you on your journey, and to hold space for you and your horse as you grow, discover, learn, laugh, and cry together.

Sherry Thomas’ adventures with horses began at an early age 4 when her father leased farmland and began raising and racing Thoroughbred horses. Sherry’s favorite activity was hopping onto her horse and riding bareback along the San Gabriel Valley riverbeds with her friends. Although horses were absent from her life for many years as she raised her family, they always held a special place in her heart. Sherry has worked as a Paralegal in civil law for more than 30 years. During her legal career, she learned that there are always two sides to a story and that cases are more likely to settle when both sides keep open minds and are able to productively communicate to resolve their differences. Sherry also did volunteer work with the Naval Sea Cadet program for youths 14-18. Sherry helped cadets to set goals and develop strategies for reaching those goals, and participated in many skill, and confidence building activities in the program. When she was able to work a more flexible schedule, Sherry began volunteering with rescue horses at Hanaeleh, which eventually led her to meeting Kelley Chaplin. Sherry started Kelley’s equine coaching certification program in 2019, and is now a proud graduate. With Kelley as her mentor, Sherry was able to participate in equine programs to help build confidence in youths and assist families in how to speak and listen to each other to create more positive communications within the family unit.