Tony
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California, USA
About
- Jobseeker No
- 441952
- Status
- Looking
- Gender/Working Couple
- Male
- Age
- 57
- Nationality
- USA
- Marital Status
- Married
- Occupation
- Adjunct Professor at Mount Saint Mary's University
- Height
- 1.85m = 6' 0"
- Weight
- 88 kgs = 13 st 12 lb
- Smoke
- Video
- https://www.youtube.com/@tony_dizinno
- BGA Equine Skills CV
- Foundation
Preferences
- Live-In Position
- Bring Own Horse
- Locations
- (California)
- Work Types
- Temporary; Contract; Freelance
- Work Times
- Full-time; Part-time
- Notice Required
- 2 week(s)
- Earliest Start
- Aug 2026
- Minimum Pay
- from $50 hour
- Job Types
- Ranch Hand; Equine Photographer
- Facility Types
- Private; Ranch; Charity; Non Profit
Bio
Tony Di Zinno Artist Educator Equine Specialist In my previous life as a photojournalist I have photographed horses everywhere from Afghanistan to the Black Hills of South Dakota with the Lakota people. They are the reason I do what I do.Qualifications
EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) is a global non-profit that sets standards for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. I hold a certificate E.S. (equine specialist) in this model.
It is an experiential, 100% ground-based model, meaning clients do not ride the horses. Instead, interactions occur in arenas or pastures where horses move freely and react honestly to a client's body language and emotions.
It is used to process trauma, PTSD, and abuse.
Documents
Duties of Current Occupation
- Heavenly Horse Haven (501c3) rescue ranch / grooming / lunging
- Living Free Animal Sanctuary / mucking, feeding and grooming
- War Horse Creek / EAL + EAP assistant: Barn Hand, Lunging
- REINS Therapeutic Riding Ranch / Side walker+Lead assist
Equine Work Experience
My first encounter with a horse was as a wee kid on summer vacation spending a few months in God's country (For horses at least) in Lexington Kentucky. While I was only eight years old, it made such a massive impression on me that it never left my heart or mind and would in fact become my passion and my vocation albeit years later.
"Our genius flows from the well spring at the source of our first psychic wounds" ~ Robert Bly from the book, Iron John
"You work with horses, ... don't you?!?
"Why - yes, how in the world did you know!?!"
If one of the first noble truths is that life is filled with suffering ... then the sooner we face this reality the less we are deluding ourselves. Therefore, a triplet of a mantra comes to mind that helps me sort things in Good Orderly Direction:
We all eventually need to move from ...
Hurting to Healing to Helping others.
My work is centered around horses + healing. That is why I have become an E.S. (equine specialist).
Specialities
Yes I work with Mustangs.
With over 6000 certified hours of horsemanship I met the pre-qualifications for EAGALA certification before training and final certification as an E.S., (equine specialist) bound by the ethics and protocols of the worlds leading model in this equine assisted learning (EAL) and Equine assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) methods.
Clinics with master instructors, Sam Van Fleet, Luke Castro, and Chris Cox, all have been part of my lifelong passion for continuing education.
Type of Ride Work
Mustangs, Arabians for flatwork and Natural Horsemanship (gentle approach).
To be clear, my goal has been and continues to be centered around ground work and at liberty. The co-regulation with equines employed in EAL and EAP is my main focus. This means there is an emphasis on engagement with the horses that is both humanist and transformative in nature.
Therefore, let there be no doubt about my preferences that riding and jumping are not part of my regular practice.
Competition Details
No competition is not my cup of tea.
Rather, I am all about the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Sessions require a specialized, collaborative team consisting of a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist, and the horses.
It is frequently used to help individuals process trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges by providing profound metaphors and immediate, non-judgmental feedback.
