Meet the People Behind Kinship
Kinship Equine Therapy was built on a shared belief in the power of connection — between people, within communities, and through meaningful relationships with horses.
Our team brings together professional experience, compassion, and a deep respect for both people and horses to create a supportive environment where healing, learning, and personal growth can take place.
Vanessa Lucero, LCSW, MBA
Vanessa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and MBA with extensive training in trauma-informed, evidence-based care. Her professional background includes psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and equine-assisted approaches that support healing, emotional wellness, and personal growth.
For Vanessa, horses have always represented more than companionship—they have been a source of connection, trust, and transformation. From an early age, she dreamed of creating a place where people could experience the same sense of peace, healing, and hope she found through horses.
That dream became reality through the founding of Kinship Equine Therapy. By combining her clinical expertise with her passion for equine-assisted services, Vanessa has created a program where individuals, families, youth, and veterans can experience meaningful growth in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Vanessa believes that healing happens through connection—connection with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. Through the unique partnership between horses and humans, she is committed to helping participants build resilience, strengthen relationships, develop confidence, and discover new pathways toward wellness and hope.
Her vision for Kinship is simple: to make compassionate, accessible, and transformative services available to those seeking healing, growth, and a renewed sense of possibility.
Donna Abreu, MA, LPCC
Donna Abreu brings more than 12 years of counseling experience and a lifelong connection to horses to her work at Kinship Equine Therapy. She earned her Master of Arts in School and Professional Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University and is currently licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Clinical Supervisor in the State of New Mexico.
Donna is committed to expanding her expertise in equine-assisted mental health and trauma-informed care. She is Level 2 trained in Natural Lifemanship® methods and is currently completing the Equine Interactions in Mental Health Practitioner Program through the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at University of Denver, where she is studying under renowned instructor Nina Ekholm Fry.
Growing up with horses, Donna developed a deep appreciation for the unique bond between humans and animals. She actively competed in barrel racing through 1998 and continues to nurture her passion for horses today. As the owner of four horses, she is dedicated to learning and applying training approaches that emphasize trust, relationship, communication, and connection.
Donna believes that healing happens through meaningful relationships. By combining her clinical expertise with the transformative power of equine-assisted services, she helps create a safe, supportive environment where individuals can build resilience, develop self-awareness, and experience lasting personal growth.
“The relationship between horse and human offers a unique opportunity for healing, growth, and connection. It is an honor to walk alongside others on that journey.”
Sofia Garcia
Sofia Garcia is a motivated 14-year-old student born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She is currently enrolled at Robertson High School, where she maintains a highly active presence in both academic and service-oriented organizations. Sofia is a member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement), and the National Honor Society. Beyond these academic clubs, she further demonstrates her commitment to leadership and community as a member of the Student Council and as a Cadette in the Las Vegas Girl Scouts.
Driven by a deep passion for animal welfare and the therapeutic power of horses, Sofia currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Kinship Equine Therapy. In this capacity, she works closely with the director to manage the recruitment, organization, and training of volunteers who support the program’s vital mission. This role has allowed her to refine her communication and organizational skills while helping to foster a supportive and positive environment for all program participants and volunteers.
Sofia has a strong interest in equine science and intends to focus her future academic and professional pursuits on becoming an Equine Specialist. By combining her rigorous school involvement with hands-on experience in equine therapy, she is building a solid foundation for a career dedicated to the well-being of horses and the people they help.
A Shared Vision
Together, Donna and Vanessa created Kinship around a shared vision: to provide a place where professional support, meaningful relationships, and the unique presence of horses can come together.
Their complementary backgrounds help shape an approach grounded in compassion, respect, connection, and the belief that every person's journey is unique.
At Kinship, the relationship between participant, professional, horse, and environment is an important part of creating meaningful opportunities for healing, learning, resilience, and growth.
Professional. Personal. Relationship-Based.
Kinship's work is grounded in professional practice while remaining deeply personal and relationship-centered. We believe people should feel respected, heard, welcomed, and supported throughout their experience.
Our horses are also valued members of the Kinship team. Their individual personalities, boundaries, and well-being are respected as part of the work we do.
Come Meet Kinship
Whether you are exploring services for yourself or someone you care about, considering a referral, looking for a community partnership, or interested in supporting our mission, we welcome the opportunity to connect.