Discover Your Potential with Veritas EAL Institute

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Nancy is a seasoned professional in clinical mental health, boasting over a decade of experience in counseling, research, and education. She has received a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marywood University and is presently a Doctoral candidate at North Central University in Marriage and Family Therapy with a Specialization in Military Families. She has dedicated her career to understanding and treating the nuanced psychological challenges diverse populations face.

After completing her undergraduate studies in psychology, Nancy pursued a master’s degree to deepen her understanding of mental health theories and therapeutic practices. Her graduate research focused on the therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted therapy, which laid the groundwork for her future specialization. After graduation, she attained licensure as a Professional Counselor and embarked on a professional journey spanning various settings, including private practices, community health centers, and educational institutions.

A significant milestone in Nancy’s career was achieving certification as a PATH International Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and an Equine-Assisted Learning Credential Holder with a Micro Credentials in Mounted and Personal Development. This specialized training, combined with her passion for horses and therapeutic healing, allowed her to pioneer innovative equine-assisted therapy programs. These programs have been instrumental in assisting clients with trauma, anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities, providing them with new avenues for communication, self-awareness, and recovery. , and an Equine-Assisted Learning Credential Holder with a Micro Credentials in Education and Personal Development

Nancy is an active member of several professional associations and regularly contributes to scholarly publications and conferences. Her research interests include the efficacy of equine-assisted therapies, multicultural counseling competencies, and the promotion of mental health awareness in underserved communities.

Outside the office and classroom, Ms. Van Wyk continues her advocacy for mental health through volunteer work, community workshops, and as a consultant for mental health initiatives. Her dedication to the field and innovative approach to therapy and education make her a respected figure in mental health counseling and equine-assisted therapy.

Vera Ann Remes is a PATH International Faculty Member in Fundamentals of Equine-Assisted Learning, a Mentor, an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and an Equine-Assisted Learning Credential Holder with a Micro Credentials in Education and Personal Development. A certified mentor and therapeutic riding instructor, she also serves on the ESMHL Certification Subcommittee.

She holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) and is a credentialed Learning Disabilities Specialist Teacher/Consultant and Teacher of the Handicapped in New Jersey. Having transitioned out of traditional legal practice, she now dedicates her expertise to education, consulting, and research. Dr. Remes is also a Shamanic Practitioner with advanced training under Deborah King, Sandra Ingerman, and in Michael Harner’s Core Shamanism program. In addition, she is a credentialed Experiential and Horse Powered Reading® & Math Facilitator, integrating these disciplines to design innovative and impactful equine-assisted programs for diverse populations.

She is further certified as a Bereavement Coach, Ikigai Life Coach, and Entrepreneurship Coach. Dr. Remes completed 9 hour facilitator training in Beat the Odds: Social and Emotional Skill Building Through Drumming to enhance group and individual development specifically for inner city youth.

Her work incorporates shamanic principles—such as embodied awareness, rhythm, relational healing, and holistic mind-body practices—into client support. In Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP), she serves within her scope as an Equine Specialist. She does not provide mental-health treatment; rather, she collaborates with licensed mental health professionals to co-facilitate sessions, contributing her expertise in equine behavior, safety, and the development of meaningful horse–human interactions. Her role focuses on strengthening emotional regulation, trust-building, self-awareness, and empowerment through equine relationships and experiential learning.

 Outside the arena and training environment, Ms. Remes extends her work through community engagement, professional presentations, and educational outreach designed to introduce diverse groups to the benefits of equine-assisted learning. She is accompanied in this work by her service dog, a certified therapy dog through Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, who supports connection, comfort, and accessibility in a variety of settings. Her commitment to experiential education and practical application has made her a sought-after speaker for workshops and seminars focused on personal growth, professional development, and innovative learning approaches.