HORSELINK FACILITATORS
Our Facilitators
Julie Puentes, MS
Julie Puentes transforms leadership and personal development through the profound wisdom of horses. As Director and Founder of HorseLink, she bridges two decades of psychology and coaching expertise with the transformative power of equine-assisted learning to unlock human potential.
Her unique methodology empowers clients to strengthen their influence, develop emotional intelligence, and expand their leadership capacity in ways traditional approaches cannot achieve.
Through carefully designed equine interactions, Julie guides clients toward breakthrough moments of self-discovery that translate directly into professional and personal success. She holds an MS in Organizational Leadership and Ethics and a BA in Psychology, and is certified in the Epona Method, Stakeholder Centered Coaching, and as an Insights Discovery practitioner.
When not working with clients, she deepens her human-equine connection through regular rides with her horses Vivace and Malibu, enriching the experiential foundation that makes her work so impactful.
Lynne Silver, MA, LPC
Horses have been Lynne Silver’s most important teachers, guiding her toward a deeper understanding of authenticity and connection within herself and with others. With a master’s degree in psychology and a certification as a coach from the International Coaching Federation, she has over 25 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and groups navigate their personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
She specializes in trauma resolution, somatic therapy, mindfulness meditation, and equine-assisted healing, allowing clients to reconnect with their true selves. As a Certified Advanced Instructor with Eponaquest International and co-founder of the Equine Assisted Therapy Center, Lynne blends the restorative potential of somatic psychology with the dynamic relationships fostered through equine-assisted learning, nurturing resilience and well-being.
For the past 12 years, as Program Director and Facilitator at HorseLink, she has continually witnessed the profound, transformative power of horses—helping people feel deeply seen and guiding them back to the wisdom of their own hearts.
Her passion for horses has inspired her since childhood, but it wasn’t until later in life that she experienced the profound lessons of presence and connection they offer. Each interaction between horses and humans is an improvisational journey rooted in the present moment, facilitating healing and sustainable growth that carries over into human relationships.
Lynne believes that the well-being of horses is essential, and she is dedicated to enhancing their vitality and aliveness through various forms of equine integrated body and energy work. She is awed by their healing presence and gentle wisdom. Horses truly teach the art of compassionate communication and cooperation with an open heart.
Teaming up with horses, nature, and fellow humans, she is committed to creating opportunities where authenticity, mutual respect, and healing flourish. Together, they embark on journeys that celebrate their shared capacity for healing and wholeness.
Marchelle Scarnier Surplus, Phd, ESMHL
Marchelle, PhD in Psychology, is a dedicated educator, author, and PATH certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Drawing from a rich tapestry of interdisciplinary frameworks and more than 20 years of teaching psychology, Marchelle offers dynamic client-centered Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) experiences that promote personal and spiritual development across different stages of life. Since 2006, Marchelle has provided a compassionate and accepting environment, where clients may enter, alongside their equine companion, into a sacred space of self-discovery and transformation.
Marchelle earned her PhD in Psychology at the University of Arizona, where she taught and conducted published research on shame and guilt. She was an Associate Professor of Psychology and the Director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Concordia University Texas for 10 years. Marchelle is also a devoted wife and mother who enjoys spending time with loved ones, walking with her Siberian Husky, and riding horses.
Karen Perkins, ESMHL
Karen is a PATH Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL), certified equine yoga teacher, and trained in earth practices of the Shipibo/Conibo shamanic tradition as well as the Toltec tradition. With a unique ability to bridge modern mindfulness with ancient earth-based practices, she guides deeply transformational experiences that awaken emotional intelligence, body awareness, and spiritual connection. Drawing from frameworks like The Hero’s Journey and The Four Agreements, Karen creates immersive sessions that help individuals reconnect with their inner clarity through the wisdom of horses and nature.
Karen holds a BA from UT Austin and has postgraduate training with Stanislav Grof, MD at Grof Transpersonal Training as a Holotropic Breathwork Practitioner. She has studied the works of Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung in depth and is trained as a trauma-informed yoga therapy teacher.
Theresa Pugh, MD
Theresa’s love for horses started at an early age in Virginia, where she grew up riding hunters, jumpers and dressage horses. When she’s not at the barn pampering her horse, Hazel, she can be found at Central Family Practice where she practices family and functional medicine. Theresa was a member of the first graduating class in the Facilitator Training Program in Equine Assisted Learning at HorseLink.
Samantha Zorn
Samantha is a dedicated equestrian, seasoned leadership coach and facilitator, passionate about empowering leaders and their teams through a unique blend of corporate expertise and equine-assisted learning. Currently leading learning and enablement at Google, she brings 16+ years of experience in forging partnerships, fostering team effectiveness, and building go to market strategies. Samantha holds a BBA from the University of Houston, an Equine Assisted Learning certification from the Natural Leadership School at the Circle Up Experience, a Google client practitioner certification from Insights Discovery, and Clifton Strengths Finder facilitator, enabling her to unlock individual potential and facilitate transformative personal growth.
“It’s difficult to find an adjective strong enough to convey the effect Saturday had on me but words like profound and transformative come to mind. I feel a shift in my world view occurred though I am still processing the experience. I know for sure Ricky Ricardo touched a wounded part of me in a gentle and healing way that years of human therapy have not been able to touch. I would 100% recommend this program to anyone. I am quite sure I will remember this all of my life.” –C.E.