Animals With Heart Team
Angela Schmitt, MA, Owner
Angela has spent over 26 years working in a wide range of therapeutic and coaching environments, including dolphin-assisted therapy, equine- and canine-assisted therapy, wilderness-based programs, traditional counseling, and services for at-risk youth and residents of sober living homes. This year marks Angela’s ninth year in business delivering equine- and canine-assisted coaching through contracts with behavioral health providers, recovery programs, and facilities serving survivors of sex trafficking and domestic abuse throughout the Valley and in programs outside Arizona. Angela and her team transport horses and dogs to client sites to deliver hands-on, trauma-informed services tailored to each setting.
In her private practice, Angela supports teens, adults, couples, and families who are stuck or unable to move forward, partnering with them to identify and remove blocks and to heal the wounds that keep patterns in place. Her primary focus is transformation: she creates a safe, sacred space where horses hold heart-space and gently mirror blind spots, enabling clients to see what needs repair and love. Angela believes that when a horse touches the heart, change follows.
She is certified in Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy and holds an MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, a BA in Human Development, and an AA in Early Childhood Development. By integrating formal education with deep intuitive skill and a love of people and animals, Angela facilitates profound, compassionate change.
Hana Khorchid, MC, MBA
Hana Khorchid is a passionate mental health professional with a Master’s degree in Counseling, specializing in innovative approaches to emotional well-being and human-animal connections. With extensive experience in animal-assisted therapy, Hana has worked with therapy dogs in inpatient behavioral health settings, designing and implementing programs that support emotional regulation, social engagement, and the development of coping skills in diverse populations. She believes in the transformative power of the human-animal bond and has developed enrichment activities that integrate therapeutic goals with interactive, hands-on experiences.
In addition to her clinical and therapy work, Hana is pursuing certification in animal shelter management and actively engages in initiatives that promote animal welfare and rescue. She combines her knowledge of mental health counseling with her expertise in animal-assisted interventions, creating programs that benefit both humans and animals. Known for her compassionate, collaborative approach, Hana strives to foster environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered in their journey toward healing.
Jenna Rodarte, BA
Jenna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University and has spent the past four years working in the behavioral health field. Most recently, Jenna has been able to combine her professional expertise with her personal passion for animals through her work in animal-assisted therapy, where she helps foster healing, resilience, and connection.
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Audree Morecraft, BS
Audree earned her B.S. in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and has cultivated a strong background in equine-assisted therapy. Her passion for the field began during an internship with Envision Therapeutic Horsemanship and has since grown through volunteer work at ranches and equine programs. Currently, she works full time in the behavioral health field, where she specializes in supporting children in developing essential life skills.
Jessica Luchini, MS
My journey with horses began in the heart of Texas, where I learned the language of partnership not from a saddle, but from the quiet dedication of cleaning stalls to earn my riding lessons. That early foundation of mutual respect and hard work ignited a lifelong passion for bridging the well-being of animals and people.
My academic path reflects this synthesis. After completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas, I pursued a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health at Argosy University in Nashville, TN. This formal training provided the framework for understanding the human psyche, but my education never stopped. I am a forever student, continually integrating advanced modalities like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Rapid Hypnosis techniques, and Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT) into my practice. My toolkit is further enriched by certifications in Somatic Therapy, Reiki (Level 1), and Yoga, which I studied deeply during my time living in Spain.
This diverse expertise meets its perfect partner in my equine colleagues. With a background in natural horsemanship, I have trained my last four horses from the ground up, including a rescue horse who, under this partnership, went on to win the legendary Man Against Horse endurance race. This experience is a testament to the profound transformation possible when trust, patience, and authentic connection lead the way.
In my equine therapy practice, I specialize in guiding individuals toward their passion, authenticity, and inner peace. I work collaboratively with clients navigating addiction, eating disorders, phobias, and confidence building. I also have a deep affinity for supporting neurodivergent individuals (ADD, ADHD, Autism, etc.), creating a space where different ways of processing the world are not just understood, but celebrated.
Together, in the presence of these wise and gentle beings, we don’t just talk about change—we feel it, we practice it, and we embody it.
