About Equishui
We are a group of dedicated people and horses committed to creating a culture of connection
One Stride at a Time
Our Story
Founded in 2017
EquiShui was founded in 2017 by Susan Tracy a lifelong equestrian with over 45 years of experience working with horses. Susan lived in Newtown when the Sandy Hook tragedy occurred, and the stable where her horses were boarded subsequently offered Equine Assisted Therapy to community members.
She became passionate about Equine Therapy having witnessed its powerful ability to heal those in the community.
Upon purchasing her farm in Brewster NY in 2016, she realized that the farm was exceptionally suited for Equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) and she began working with EAGALA certified team members to offer Equine Assisted Therapy. She finds the work to be profound and has personally witnessed amazing results with almost all those who have had a session.
The need for the non-profit became clear because Susan did not want to say no to anyone in need. At EquiShui, our goal is to offer Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Therapy to all those called to do the work – whether or not they can afford a session or not.
Our Founder
Susan Tracy
Founder and Board Member, EquiShui Inc.
Susan has always loved horses and started riding when she was seven. She grew up in Rye, NY and graduated from Duke University in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has had a career in technology (Oracle, Salesforce, DocuSign) for over 25 years and spends her off hours in the barn with her horses.
She is passionate about the healing that horses bring to almost all who come in contact with them, and so she founded EquiShui to share this magic with others after witnessing the powerful moments that inner city kids have after visiting the farm.
Current Professional Life
Susan is currently a Global Account Director at DocuSign where she is instrumental in empowering enterprises to drive digital transformation while making a positive impact on the environment.
Meet the Board
Our Board
Dana Weitzenberg
Board Member, EquiShui Inc.
Dana’s love of animals has been lifelong, and her early rides with friends as a young teen sparked a lasting appreciation for horses. With close friends and family active in the polo and eventing communities, she has seen the meaningful connections that form between people and horses. Dana is excited to support this mission as a member of the board and is grateful to be part of an organization where horses help people — and people help horses.
Professional Life
Dana is the founder of Lobstervine, a full-service website design and development agency. For more than fifteen years, she has led the company in delivering high-impact digital solutions for hundreds of clients, ranging from small businesses to national brands. Her work spans end-to-end site design, redesigns, and custom development, with an emphasis on clarity, usability, and long-term client partnerships.
Eileen P. Kelly
Board Advisor, EquiShui Inc.
Eileen developed a connection to horses when she lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina and took a small stint at becoming a gaucha! She saw firsthand the power of a local horse whisper and has been hooked ever since. Eileen is a graduated member of the She Should Run incubator program, a non-profit dedicated to having more women run for public office, a co-host for the Artists for Peace & Justices’ on-going fundraising events which seek to build free education in the arts for students in Haiti, and serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit, Harlem Dowling, a child welfare agency which provides services to children in areas of academic support.
Professional Life
Eileen is a Director of Finance & Integration at Refinitiv. Prior to this role, she worked in Digital Transformation at Thomson Reuters and various strategic and operational roles. Eileen has also worked in operations in Latin America in the Global Growth & Operations Group. Before joining Thomson Reuters, she spent five years at Unilever in various financial roles and as an economic analyst in their office in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eileen is passionate about mobile technology, product strategy, and the travel industry and is Co-Founder of a mobile application called Wing it Travel. She earned a BA from Colgate University in International Relations and is a member of Colgate’s Presidents Club.
Susan Dixon
Board Advisor, EquiShui Inc.
Susan first rode when she was four and has loved horses ever since. As a previous volunteer for Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, she saw the incredible impact horses can have in helping the Pegasus clients — their riders — both physically and emotionally.
Susan has been involved with other charitable organizations supporting the environment, animals and people in need.
Professional Life
Before retirement, Susan Dixon was a partner in Finn Dixon & Herling LLP’s Executive Compensation, Benefits & Employment group.
She received her undergraduate degree from NYU and her J.D. from Columbia University. She began her legal career at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and worked at Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz before joining Finn Dixon & Herling.
Anne Kelly-Banks
Board Member, EquiShui Inc.
Anne Kelly-Banks spent over 43 years in the Banking Industry and retired as a Managing Director. Very well regarded by her colleagues, Anne not only brings her financial experience to EquiShui, but also her passion for the healing arts.
Meet the team
Our Team
Morgan Lavelle
Equine Specialist
Morgan is an equine specialist and has worked with horses for over 20 years. She got on her first horse when she was three and started taking serious lessons when she was 10.
She worked as the head client groom for an Equestrian Olympian for a year and in the past has taken part in jumping competitions like Hunter jumper. She loves horses and provides loving compassionate care to our healers and other horses (16 total). She also facilitates equine assisted learning activities as part of our children and teens program.
Christopher Cieszko
Recreational Therapist
Christopher is a recreational therapist and his passion is working with children. In the past he has worked with special needs children and at risk children from the Children’s Village Programs.
While he is not teaching children, he helps to take care of the horses and also facilitates portions of our Children & Teens program.