Our team

Our team believes in a safe and effective approach to healing.

RACHEL HARRIS

EQUINE SPECIALIST

Originally from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Rachel moved to North Carolina in 2005. Rachel’s love of animals started at a young age, with her volunteering at animal clinics and worked with programs that used equine to assist with special needs children while in school. After graduating she moved into the veterinary field working on animals as a veterinarian technician. She has also been passionate about wildlife rehabilitation; she has cared for numerous animals in need of rehabilitation due to injuries and successfully released them after they have made full recoveries. Rachel brings years of experience with horses, she has studied the Natural Horsemanship way of training and is Certified in Natural Lifemanship for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, to help horses and humans with healing through deep connections.

Rachel oversees the care, exercise, and safety of all the animals at Equine Connections. She strives to provide the best atmosphere for clients and animals to enhance the benefits and experiences gained through equine assisted psychotherapy. 

When not at work Rachel enjoys the outdoors and spending quality time with her husband, three daughters and her fur babies. 

Bre Padgett, LCMHC, LCAS, Level 1 NL, EMDR trained

When I started working in the mental health field, I often worked with clients who were “stuck”. It seemed as though traditional talk therapy just wasn’t helping, no matter how many different things we tried. A lot of families and clients

felt hopeless. Then… I saw the same clients interact with horses. That’s when I knew the transformative healing that could happen through equine therapy. I pursued my Level 1 Natural Lifemanship certification in 2021 and have been seeing clients through equine

therapy on a weekly basis every since.

I have certification in EMDR and specialize in addiction, trauma, attachment, relationship challenges, family work, PTSD, and depression/anxiety. Prior to joining the private practice world, I worked as a therapist at an adolescent recovery

treatment program and was an integral part of building the equine program.

I joined Rachel in 2021 who I consider to be my better half of our “dynamic duo” in equine work. We both are passionate and grateful for this work. I am honored and excited to be part of your growth & journey. Hope to see you on the farm!