Meet our Staff:

Patti Mandrell, M.Ed., LPC, EAP (Advanced), is cofounder of REFUGE Services.  She serves as director of therapy services supervising other therapists, horse professionals, volunteers, and intern students.  Prior, Patti served as a program director for a residential treatment center for girls with eating disorders in south Texas.  Patti was the first professional counselor to be nationally certified in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) in the state of Texas, and she and her husband, Randy, were among the first group to reach highest status/training with EAP in the country.  She has been incorporating EAP for over 17 years and a therapist for over 18 years.  She is a certified trainer and approved supervisor for the International Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.  Patti received her master’s counseling degree at Texas Tech University.  Patti has been spotlighted and interviewed in numerous local, state and national publications and television broadcastings promoting the use of EAP when working with families and children. She wrote the first textbook used in numerous colleges/universities about EAP “Introduction to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.”

Randy Mandrell, EAP (Advanced), is cofounder of REFUGE Services with his wife, Patti. He is the Director of equine services, managing Refuge’s 40 acre equestrian facility. Prior to this, Randy was the equine director for a residential treatment center for girls with eating disorders in south Texas.  He was the first horse professional to offer Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) services on an outpatient basis in partnership with professional counselors in the state of Texas.  Randy has been practicing EAP for over 17 years working with primarily adolescents, families, and couples.  Having over 40 years of experience with horses, 20 years experience as a professional horse trainer and farrier, Randy was recognized by the international EAP organization EAGALA as “Outstanding Horse Professional” in 2001 for his superior work with clients and collaboration with other therapists in his community.  He is also a national certified trainer and approved supervisor for the International Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.

Refuge Services' Board of Directors consists of professionals from the community such as a counselor, CPA, law enforcement, businessmen, horse owners, and Attorney. This working board evaluates all activities as to their effectiveness, legal responsibilities, and ethical obligations determining that it is in the best interest of the participants at all times. The Board of Directors also evaluates and approves all volunteers, who are trained by Refuge's Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy team in safety and professional relations.

Refuge Services contracts with professional counselors in the area with Doctorate or Master level degrees in counseling or related fields. This allows other counselors to utilize Refuge programs as a part of their treatment plan without referring the participant to someone else. As stated previously, Refuge Services also contracts with other agencies to incorporate our programs into their treatment plan.

Refuge Services is a member of the international organization Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), leaders in the field of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy emphasizing safety training and therapeutic techniques. All activities are approved by EAGALA. Safety is regulated through North American Horseman's Association.

In addition to the regulations made by Refuge Service's Board of Directors, this professional, therapeutic program also abides by the ethical standards set forth in the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Board Rules.