Born in 1945 in Salzburg, Austria, Gundula Hauser has dedicated her life to education, therapy, and equine-assisted services. She began her career with teacher training for primary education in 1964 and taught in a small village, Leogang, from 1964 to 1966. Seeking to expand her skills, she pursued studies in physiotherapy from 1966 to 1968. Her commitment to special education became evident as she helped establish a school for children with physical and mental disabilities in Tirol, Austria, from 1968 to 1970. In 1970, after her marriage and relocation to Vienna, Gundula continued her education, specializing in teaching children with disabilities, including those with learning difficulties and behavioral challenges. During this period, she also welcomed the birth of two children in 1972/73. Following a brief hiatus from teaching between 1973 and 1976, Gundula returned to the field, where she worked as a teacher for children with disabilities until 1990. In the 1980s, Gundula’s passion for equine therapy blossomed. She completed education in hippotherapy in 1982 and remedial educational vaulting and riding in 1986. From 1984 to 2000, she served on the executive board of the Austrian Association for Therapeutic Riding (Österreichisches Kuratorium für Therapeutisches Reiten), including four years as president. Gundula’s vision for equine-assisted services led her to establish the association “Österreichische Initiative – Pferde helfen Menschen” in 1990, where she has served as president since its inception. This association was awarded recognition by the Vienna government. From 1990 to 2000, she was the headmistress of a special school for children with mental disabilities in Vienna’s 2nd district. Her work extended beyond Austria. As head of equestrian sports for Special Olympics Austria from 1991 to 2012, she organized numerous national events with international participation. In addition, she trained as a counselor from 1996 to 1999, further expanding her expertise in therapeutic services. Upon retiring from the school system in 2000, Gundula focused on managing two riding stables for therapeutic riding. In 2003, she was elected President of the Federation for Riding for the Disabled International (FRDI), now known as HETI, a position she held until 2009. She also passed over one of her therapeutic riding stables to the association e.motion (now Lichtblickhof) in 2004, and the second to the association “Alisequus” in 2010, remaining president of both associations. Gundula Hauser’s lifelong dedication to therapeutic riding, education, and the support of children with disabilities has left a lasting legacy in Austria and internationally.
