Meet The Team

Melisha Franks

Melisha grew up on an acreage in southern Alberta and has loved animals her whole life. She has many fond memories on the back of a horse and believes her many adventures fostered a strength and resiliency in her that contributed to the woman she is today. Growing up with horses, dogs, and cats, Melisha has experienced and witnessed the power of healing and emotional health through her connection to her animals. At a young age, Melisha caught the ‘horse bug’ and lived and breathed horses all throughout her adolescent years. 

Melisha has provided Animal Assisted Therapy since 2016 and has dreamed about building a safe space where people can connect with animals in nature and heal, grow, and thrive. She hopes you will visit Healing Grounds and see how time with horses, prairie walks and talks, goat yoga, and creative arts in nature and so much more can heal your soul and build a strength and resiliency in you!

Deena West

Deena has owned dogs her entire life, feeling a deep connection with the husky breed. She currently partners with her 5 year old Siberian Husky, Lola. Deena has also been working with horses doing Animal Assisted Therapy since 2016. She believes the partnership with a horse in therapy is like no other experience in assisting clients heal. Deena first started her equine therapy partnership with Treasure, who is loved by all who meet him!

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Deena is a nature buff and enjoys being outdoors bringing in the natural healing that only nature can do, from sunlight, to bare feet on the ground, to the relaxing properties of water. She truly believes in the experience of nature and how it teaches us to be still in an unnaturally busy world.

Deena invites you to come unplug and reset with her.

Angela Batista

Angela specializes in supporting children and their families with Animal Assisted Therapy, leveraging the unique connections and healing potential facilitated by horses, dogs, gerbils, and other animals. At Healing Grounds, Angela partners with horses to empower clients of all ages to meet their therapy goals and to thrive! 

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Angela is very passionate about horses and their healing power.  She provides a gentle and compassionate approach in therapy and marvels at the changes clients experience in nature, with these majestic animals!

Treasure is 23 years old. He is a sorrel with his white star on his forehead. In his younger years he was training to become a competition horse in reining and roping. While training he injured himself and put a permanent halt to that career path.

Now that he is at Healing Grounds he is put to work as a therapy assistant.

Treasure loves his naps, food and visiting with people while on the lookout for a possible treat or even just some extra attention.

Speckles is an Appaloosa mare. She is a sweet, affectionate girl who is also calm and generous. Speckles is a very curious, adaptable, friendly horse and has been used in lessons and trail riding before joining her current herd. Speckles has been participating in EAL sessions for a few years now and her favourite part seems to be meeting all the new people! Speckles sometimes struggles with her boundaries because she loves being close to you. 

Knox is a gentle, cautious eight-year-old palomino gelding. He was supposed to be a barrel horse but he wasn't built for speed, he was built for leisurely trail rides and cuddles. Knox is a sweet boy, wants to please, loves people, and does best when he feels someone he trusts is leading him. He loves partnering with humans in Animal Assisted Therapy sessions and especially loves it when he is off his harness and lead where he gets to choose to follow and build connection at his own pace.