Our Story
“We love what we do. We love it because we have an opportunity to do something that empowers both the horses and humans around us, and we are fortunate to do the work we love while making the world a little better, one session at a time.”
— HERD Co-Founders
HERD Singapore is a social enterprise founded in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by five colleagues turned friends; they are Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI) Practitioners — Chan Li Wen, Jamie Lee, Pearlyn Yap, Sharifah Faizah and Tommy Wong.
It all started when Li Wen, whom after spending 9 years as a Social Worker and Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Practitioner, quit her job in 2021. Together with Tommy, the duo visited a local equine establishment hat has been rescuing horses since 2003.
It was during this trip where they witnessed what many of the retired and aged horses (that can no longer be ridden) have in common - they are still full of vitality, enjoy connecting with humans, and have exceptional therapeutic value.
Having always appreciated the value of the human connection with horses, Li Wen and Tommy brought the idea of working alongside some of these horses to Jamie, Pearl and Sharifah, who had also left their jobs at around the same period.
At that time, the mental health crisis continued to worsen, and the quintet was witnessing the toll that the pandemic was taking on those around them. They believed that with their combined experience, knowledge, training and mindset, it was possible to get something started to support those who are in need.
With their fullest hearts, Li Wen, Tommy, Jamie, Pearl and Sharifah decided to continue doing the work that they love doing and are good at.
HERD Singapore was thus born with the mission to enhance the psychosocial wellbeing of individuals, and to empower people to live more fulfilling and enriching lives through quality Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI) in Singapore.
Horses have a profoundly powerful and unique way of empowering people, and the 5 Practitioners have experienced the heartwarming benefits and innumerable healing qualities of horses…that it was difficult to not continue dedicating themselves to the cause.
HERD also hopes to provide opportunities for all persons to have meaningful interactions with retired or aged horses in Singapore.
With the support from family, friends and the community, HERD began to partner retired horses from the race tracks and riding school to provide horse-based programmes for individuals and groups.
Our selected herd currently includes ponies and thoroughbreds, and they have distinct personalities, like all of us!
Since 2017...
Our trained Practitioners have been impacting vulnerable communities by working alongside our equine-partners and a variety of beneficiaries such as schools, orphanages, family service centres and nursing homes.
HERD strongly believes in...
The healing qualities of horses, as well as the innumerable benefits of the human-animal interaction.
In our practice, we see our clients as naturally resourceful, creative and whole. We also believe that we can develop much deeper bonds with our equine-partners by training them with insight and kindness.
Our Mission:
To enhance psychosocial wellbeing and empower individuals to live more fulfilling and enriching lives through quality Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI) in Singapore.
Our Vision:
To curate empowering experiences for both our human and equine partners, and to broaden public awareness on the benefits of the human-animal interaction.
Our Values
HUMANISTIC (or "HEART"):
We treat our human and equine-partners with respect, compassion, care, and focus on creating an inclusive, authentic and safe space for everyone. This is the heart of what we do.
EMBRACING:
We strive to embrace dynamism, change, and continuous learning. Our team is ready to grow, experiment and try new approaches; this includes encouraging curiosity, creativity, and learning from mistakes.
RELIABILITY:
We act with honesty, integrity, transparency, and strive to do the right thing always. It is also important for us to build and nurture trusting relationships with every being we work with.
DEDICATED:
We show unbridled commitment and passion in providing quality equine-assisted services to support the well-being of our clients. We hope to make a difference everyday, and our team's passion generates enthusiasm for what we do and how we do it.
Meet the HERD
Jamie Lee
Co-Founder & Equine Assisted Intervention (EAI) Practitioner
Jamie has more than 20 years of combined experience in training mammals and providing behavioural intervention to youths with special needs. She has worked in Underwater World Singapore, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and EQUAL Singapore, and currently spends majority of her time providing psychosocial support and care management to seniors.
When Jamie chanced upon EAI, it was a dream come true for her as she could marry both her passions - animals and special needs. She loves how the interactions between horses and human can be mutually beneficial and healing, and believes that paying attention to the horses' "whispers" would encourage true partnership between the two species. Jamie is dedicated to ensuring that there is equal and reciprocal respect of clients and animals in the therapeutic process, and is seen cultivating a non-judgemental space for clients in her sessions.
Jamie has a Diploma in Special Needs, Diploma in Autism Studies, Diploma in Equine Psychology, and is well-versed in humane animal care. She is trained in trauma-informed care, received her education in Human-Animal Interactions by the Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC), and Natural Horsemanship training by Sam Watson in Australia.
A proud mother of a 15 year-old, her favourite things to do include spending time with horses, yoga, and hiking. Jamie's all-time favourite quote is: “Living for Others is the Rule of Nature”.
Chan Li Wen
Co-Founder & Equine Assisted Intervention (EAI) Practitioner
Li Wen is Psychology and Social Work-trained, and currently spends most of her time working with older adults. She has more than 10 years of experience in providing psychosocial support for those in the medical and community setting, and advocates for the collaborative efforts of everyone in having a role to play in any ecosystem. She also strongly believes that horses bring out the best in us, and that everyone has the best solutions for themselves.
Her professional experience includes working alongside persons of different age groups (youth, adults, seniors), as well as youth with special needs. She adopts a person-centred approach and systems mindset when working with clients, and strives to support them in identifying and strengthening their internal and external resources to promote wellness.
Li Wen is a certified EAGALA Practitioner and was trained in Natural Horsemanship by Sam Watson (Australia) and Anna Twinney (USA). She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, has a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, Diploma in Equine Psychology, and is certified in Dementia Care Mapping (DCM™). Li Wen is also trained in trauma-informed care.
During her own time, she enjoys the simplest things in life -- drinking bubble tea or coffee, playing with her cat and allowing ideas to flow. Her all-time favourite quote is: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.
Pearlyn Yap
Co-Founder & Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI) Practitioner
Pearlyn (or Pearl) began working with youths in 2012 and has over 6 years of dedicated experience in equine-based interventions. She has clocked over 8,000 hours of hands-on experience with horses and believes that horses are the most natural and effective teachers of self-awareness, esteem and family/group dynamics.
As an individual with lived experience of mental illness, Pearl draws on personal experiences to journey with clients and empowers them to find competence and value in their lives. She takes a humanistic and trauma-informed approach, and strives for a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment in her sessions.
Pearl is a Certified Practitioner and Corporate Trainer with the Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A), a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist for Individuals (CCTSI), and has received equine trainings in USA (E3A), Australia (Natural Horsemanship by Sam Watson) and Singapore (ROTH by Anna Twinney). She graduated from NUS and is currently pursuing her Master of Counselling (Advanced). She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, a Diploma in Equine Psychology, and is also undergoing training to be a Certified Gestalt Therapist with Children and Adolescents.
Pearl is a very proud auntie of 5 nieces and nephews, and a pawrent of a special-needs cat, Tobi, who is paralysed waist-down.
Sharifah Faizah
Co-Founder & Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI) Practitioner
Sharifah is an experienced facilitator and currently spends most of her week curating and running programmes for vulnerable youths. She is a huge animal lover and believes that they have the ability to spread magic. In her 6 years of experience managing at-risk youths and 4+ years of hands-on work with horses, Sharifah has developed an expertise not only in EAI facilitation, but also in stable management and equine welfare.
Trained in business operations and management, she has, over the last 12 years, worked in organisations such as the Singapore Business Federation, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and EQUAL Singapore. She was also a Hippotherapy volunteer at Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Singapore.
Sharifah received her Natural Horsemanship training by Anna Twinney, has a Certificate in "Equine Welfare and Management" by the University of California (Davis), and "Animal Behaviour and Welfare" by the University of Edinburgh. She graduated from John Molson School of Business (Montreal, Canada) majoring in International Business.
Sharifah is a mother of two beautiful boys and can converse in 5 languages! Her favourite quote is: “What has reached you was never meant to miss you and what has missed you was never meant to reach you.” Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H
Tommy Wong
Co-Founder
Tommy has 30 years of experience across the equestrian spectrum - from equestrian sports to racing, cross-country, polo, and endurance. One could say that he has, in recent years, found his calling in partnering horses in the therapeutic field, supporting vulnerable persons.
From 2015 to 2022, Tommy managed the stable operations and equine welfare of 2 centres in Singapore that deliver therapeutic horse programmes. He also conducted therapeutic riding and EAI for hundreds of youths, families, and elderly.
Tommy is a Certified Equine Specialist with EAGALA, and has a deep interest in the neuroscience of horsemanship, especially in Janet Jones' work. During sessions, Tommy approaches his clients with warmth and a sense of calm and humour. He believes that we can develop much deeper bonds with our equine-partners by training and interacting with them with insight and kindness.
Tommy is a lifelong learner and has undergone many trainings and certifications, including but not limited to: Natural Horsemanship by Sam Watson (Australia), ROTH by Anna Twinney (Singapore clinic), Level 1 Certified Instructor by FEI, NCAS Level 1 Senior Horse Management by Equestrian Australia, and "Equine Welfare & Management" by the University of California (Davis).
The way to Tommy's heart is through his stomach! He loves a good ribeye steak, wanton noodles and coke.