Mary Ann Simonds is a wildlife and range ecologist, equine behaviorist, human-animal therapist, business coach and holistic health consultant. Or you could simply say she is a scientist and a philosopher, who for over 30 years has integrated disciplines and crossed the lines of paradigms. Obtaining her B.S. degree from the University of Wyoming in 1976 in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Range Management, Simonds later received her Masters degree from JFK University in Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies with emphasis in Human-Animal Interactions and Healing as well as a specialization in Organizational Development and Leadership. Her focus has been to influence science to shift its paradigm to a more "whole systems" approach. Working in the fields of mining reclamation, organizational development, wildlife biology, animal awareness, and human-animal interaction and healing, Simonds has conducted research and given papers on a variety of subjects from Eco-tourism and horse behavior to stress management of animals and human-animal communication.

For over 30 years she has studied and taught horse behavior and natural health care, integrating this knowledge into her Enlightened Horsemanship and Enchanted Riding Programs. Simonds has been a guest lecturer and clinician for such organizations as USCTA, USDF, SPCA, EQUITANA, the University of California - Davis, Nippon Animal Science and Veterinary University, (Japan), Washington State University and the Bureau of Land Management. She founded the Whole Horse Institute in 1985 and in 1994 developed the Institute of Integrated Sciences for the purpose of teaching a cross discipline approach to science and related subjects.

Simonds has numerous published articles and papers including her O.F.F.E.R. Techniques for sharing awareness with other animals published in Diane Stein's Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats. Outdoor Life television featured her 22 part behavior and natural health series on Horsin'Around. She is a co-founder and past president of the International Alliance for Animal Therapy and Healing and the developer of Toklat Originals, Inc. Natural Vibrations line of magnetic therapy and stress management remedies for horses and riders. Simonds continues to research natural alternatives in animal and human health care, while she conducts clinics, consults and writes internationally. She has a book on Herbs for Horses available, as well as a video on Herbs and Aromatherapy for Horses and her popular video Think Like a Horse.