Meet Our Instructors
Rebecca Bailey, PhD
PVEI Founder
Dr . Bailey is a leading trauma therapist who specializes in complex case scenarios. She has over 30 years of experience in the field and continues to be dedicated to the notion that authenticity, common sense, and kindness are the most important elements of effective treatment. She is a lifelong equestrian and animal lover who continues to believe animals, in particular horses, have much to teach humans about curiosity and compassion.
She is the author of two books: Safe Kids: Smart Parents and Equine Connections: Polyvagal Principles as well as articles on Polyvagal principles in the courtroom and the application of equine interventions to a variety of populations.
Margie McDonald
PVEI Co-Founder
Margie McDonald is a lifelong accomplished equestrian and horse trainer. She is trained in classical dressage and has applied the teachings to an approach that embodies compassion and connection. Her work has included promoting self-awareness and kindness between horses and humans. Her approach has always embodied an awareness of heart to head connection. She is the author of Notes from the Barn: My Life with Horses and has raised the conscious compassion of numerous equine enthusiasts.
Jaycee Dugard
PVEI Co-Founder
Jaycee Dugard is a survivor of extreme trauma. She feels strongly that without animals in her world, she would not be the person she has become. Thankfully, her recovery included a team of four horses who remain in her life to this day. She has made it her life’s work to support the equine-human connection in tribute to her four teachers.
She is the author of two books: A Stolen Life (New York Best seller List) and Freedom: My Book of Firsts. She has presented with Dr. Bailey at a number of venues reinforcing her work and supporting victims’ innate resiliency.
Our Partners
The Polyvagal Equine Institute is proud to partner with the following organizations:
