Editorial Advisory Board

Sanna currently holds a shared doctoral position at the University of Eastern Finland in sports and exercise medicine and is working in the field of EAS (physical therapy) in her own company. She served HETI as a board member from 2003-2009 as a vice-president and HETI Journal editor and from 2015-2021 as president of HETI Federation during the transfer of the office from the USA to Ireland and the COVID- pandemic. Sanna has a main interest in biomechanics combining human and equine movement and pain management. She has completed studies with chronic low back pain patients treating them from a physical therapy perspective and published several articles on it. Sanna has been teaching in Equine College courses of equine facilitated therapies (in Finland) and has held several international courses on biomechanics. She has also been involved in several international EU-funded projects where EAS education has been developed.

Originally from England, Dr. Anne Barnfield holds a B.Sc. from the University of London, Great Britain, and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Sussex, Great Britain. Anne currently is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Brescia University College (affiliated with the University of Western Ontario), in London, Ontario, Canada. A member of several professional organizations relating to human-animal interactions, and working for HETI on the Ethics Taskforce and the Research and Education committee, Anne is interested in the beneficial psychological effects of physical activity and particularly the effects of interactions involving equines. Although involved in a number of different types of studies, Anne’s current research area is equine-assisted/facilitated activities: the beneficial influences of Therapeutic Riding (TR) for children with special needs, and applications of Equine-Assisted Therapy/Psychotherapy (EAT/P) in treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for Military Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel. In her free time Anne volunteers at the local TR centre, practices karate, and rides her own horse “Lilliput”. Anne lives in London, Ontario, with her husband Richard (a Political Sciences Professor).

Prof. Selcuk Akpinar is presently employed at Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University within the Faculty of Sports Sciences, serving as a Dean. His academic journey began with the completion of his bachelors degree with honors (attaining the first rank position) at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. Initially designated as a Physical Education Teacher by the Ministry of Education, he fulfilled this role for a duration of two years. Pursuing further education, he pursued a masters degree at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, where he transitioned into a research assistant position. Subsequently, he pursued his doctoral studies at Middle East Technical University, with a focus on motor learning and control studies. During this time, he undertook a visiting scholar role at Penn State University in the United States for a year and a half, followed by a six-month post-doctoral position. At Penn State, he contributed to research in a motor control laboratory, investigating the impact of sports training participation on motor lateralization. Upon completing his doctorate, he relocated to Nevsehir and was promoted to the position of Associate Professor by the Higher Education Council of Turkey in December 2017. Further recognition followed, as Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University elevated him to the rank of full professor in February 2023. His involvement in Equine Assisted Services dates back to 2013, with active participation in Erasmus+ Projects in this field and ongoing research endeavors. Additionally, he serves as the assistant principal of the Horsemanship-Horseback Riding Application and Research Center at Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University. Prof. Akpinar’s scholarly contributions extend to respected international journals, particularly in the realm of equine-assisted services. He has cultivated numerous international collaborations and maintains a diverse network of colleagues worldwide. His primary research interests encompass motor lateralization in sports and equine-assisted services, arm selection, motor learning and pedagogy, and body composition.

Henrika is responsible for Specialist Nursing Education with a focus on psychiatric care at Halmstad University and a representative for School of Health and Welfare at the university’s Research Ethics Council (FER). She is the project manager of the HUT research project, which develops and evaluates “Equine-Assisted Therapy” for children, adolescents and adults with mental illness. Henrika also holds positions as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Health & Well-being and as Associate Editor of the journal Issues in Mental Health Nursing. Henrika is the Chairperson of IFSAP Halmstad ( Association for Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses) and a member of the Board of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI).