Jessica Cody

“Since way before mandated masks, we humans have worn metaphoric ones. Pretence born of fear, social conditioning and a need for approval. Horses can see through it all. They feel beyond it with their big beating hearts and giant fields of empathic energy. Showing us how to shed the layers; to be in our truth at the centre of self.  

I’ve never been much of a ‘horsey person’. But today I took a dose of equine therapy. But not just hanging around to pat a few horses. Thanks to Jess it was a fully facilitated and immersive retreat experience that tapped into the herd wisdom of horses and humans. This modality is such a powerful way for folks to share and learn; in which we can uncover and trust all of that intuition, instincts and connection that we have within us.”  – Natalie J. Dowling,  Inner Rhythm Women’s Retreat participant 

Jessica Cody

Jessica is a world leader in equine therapy, having gained an International Master’s Degree in human and horse psychology from the Institut für Pferdegestützte Therapie in Germany. She is the only equine therapist in Australia to possess such a high-level qualification. In addition to her qualifications, Jess was part of The German Research Centre for Equine Assisted Therapy, where she worked on studies with other doctors, psychologists and scientists. Through her equine therapy programs, Jess has worked with and helped thousands of people, including children and youth, elderly, families, community groups, government organisations, corporate leaders and their employees, women’s and men’s groups, sporting groups and organisations, and many more.

With more than 10 years of leadership coaching, Jess has been working internationally and within Australia. She has run leading international corporate programs in Spain, Italy and England, through to youth programs in Serbia, Greece, Croatia and Montenegro. Closer to home, Jess has run countless wellness retreats (using horses) throughout Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, she has worked with local community groups to create lasting cultural change ranging from villages in the slums of India to supporting families in regional communities of Egypt.

In Australia, Jess has worked with a number of local government organisations, schools and large corporates such as GMHBA, Bounce Australia, Zagame Group, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Lancemore Group, SteopleScape and the AFL. Her strong background in working and helping children and youth has seen her work extensively with schools, and with children and youth support programs. This includes helping to develop and direct the world’s first school-based Equine Therapy program at Candlebark School in Victoria. Through this program Jess worked for eight years with children from Prep to Year 10, including high-needs students, as well as the school’s teachers. She ran mindfulness-based parenting programs through the school, using horses as part of these programs. She also worked with the Hume Valley School for five years and is currently partnering with the Collingwood Children’s Farm through the Pay it Forward corporate program which also supports not-for-profit organisations in accessing these life-changing programs.

Jess has been a keynote speaker at a number of national and international conferences discussing her Master’s thesis topic “Best practice of mindfulness-based Equine Assisted Therapy program for children aged from 5 to 18 years”. Her thesis focused on developing age-appropriate meditations and activities with horses for specific behavioural challenges and developmental stages, which was supported by the latest neuroscience. Her thesis received a high distinction with extracts published in several research papers magazines throughout the world. Additionally, the Institut für Pferdegestützte Therapie founder Dr Annette Gomolla proposed collaboration on future research projects with Jess.

“Jessica is a highly intuitive leader whose inner confidence has always had her challenging the status quo and leading life on her terms.”                   – Augusti Vera, HorseDream Europe Coach

Jess has spoken on the topic at the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) international conference, EQUITANA Germany and EQUITANA Australia, the German Research Centre for Equine Assisted Therapy, International Childhood Trauma Conference and Australia Bush Adventure Therapy Conference. She has also presented her work to education boards and government organisations as well as been a keynote speaker (accompanied by a horse) at several business conferences.

Working in partnership with other world leaders in the equine therapy field, Jess has run workshops with the founder of equine therapy Barbara K. Rector. Barbara is credited as one of the pioneers of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Equine Facilitated Learning. Additionally, she has worked with best-selling author and internationally-recognised Equine Experiential Learning innovator Linda Kohanov. Linda is respected for her written work regarding Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy.

Jess is currently collaborating with Mind Australia on a youth pilot program to support young people aged from 15 to 25 years of age who have been adversely affected by the impacts of coronavirus. This study has employed an independent psychologist to assess the results of this contemporary program. 

Growing up in the Mallee, Jess has been part of the horse herd, training racehorses and re-educating horses with her Mum since the age of eight and riding horses bareback sitting in front of her Mum before she could even walk. Now with a young family she wants to get back to her roots and support communities of Victoria. Jess helps horses to be recognised, respected and revered for the incredibly wise, instinctive and complex herd animals that they truly are. Through equine therapy she aims to support human development and improve the way we humans live and communicate with each other.