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.
Gretchen Hanchette, MSW
Originally from rural Wisconsin, Gretchen grew up caring for and riding horses from childhood through adulthood. Her sanctuary was the barn. She earned her bachelors in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she worked in violence prevention and case management. Gretchen went on to obtain her Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver, where she concentrated in mental health and trauma. She is currently pursuing clinical licensure in Arizona. After experiencing the power of equine-assisted therapy as a client in her childhood, Gretchen knew that this was her dream career goal. Horses have a way of breaking us out of our protective shells and forcing us to show up authentically that other forms of interventions cannot provide. Gretchen has experience working with neuro-diverse populations, such as those with Autism, ADHD, and Traumatic Brain Injuries. She is an advocate for healthy boundaries, safe relationships, and discovering our inner strength— all things that horses model for us effortlessly!
Britt Burbach
Britt’s love of horses began at the age of six-months when her great-grandfather would pick her up every evening to take her down to the barn to feed. Horses are the longest standing love of her life. She always knew that she wanted to be able to find a way that she could be with the horses and to help people through them. The business and finance coaching acumen Britt acquired throughout her career in the franchise industry groomed her for being able to assess the needs of others and guide them toward success. Now she uses the combination of these tools, her love and knowledge of horses and the Draper Sensory Method every day to help heal her participants.
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.
