2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
Mandy Smith has had a long career focused on the health and well-being of animals. She has been a Zoo keeper for over 27 years, at a wildlife park, open range and a city Zoo. She has also had horses from a young age and is passionate about continuing education and experiences to increase their welfare and connection with people. She has backed up her personal experience with formal training, including Captive Vertebrate Management, Business Management, Training and Assessment and with a health focus, becoming both an Equine Myofunctional therapist and Emmett practitioner (Horse and Human). Unicorn Services is a range of services and experiences dedicated to enhancing the animal and human dynamic.
// Favourite inspirational quote
“Keep your face turned towards the sun – and the shadows will fall behind.” Note sure who originally said it – but it was something my Grandmother wrote in my autograph book when I was a child – and I’ve never forgotten it – and it is certainly words to live by!
// Let’s get to know you
I finished school, deferred University (teacher) to have a gap year – and landed a job at the then Council run Urimbirra Wildlife Park, absolutely loved it and decided to make Zoo keeping my career instead. After 3 years at the Wildlife Park, I moved interstate to work at an Open Range Zoo, before returning to Adelaide and gaining employment at Adelaide Zoo. At Adelaide, I met my (now ex) husband and became pregnant. Zoo keeping in those days was mostly a male dominated environment – and I was the first Zoo keeper in Adelaide to take Maternity leave. In those days it was pretty basic – a year’s unpaid leave and return to work full time. It’s quite different now – my daughter now also works as a Vet Nurse at Adelaide, and has recently had a baby!
I resigned and spent 10 years working on our property at McLaren Vale running an Equestrian Centre. Our focus was on children and having fun with our ponies – with a strong educational focus. Not only teaching riding – but management and welfare as well. Something that was fairly rare in those days. This was largely based on my experience as a horse-mad child, with non-horsey parents, which resulted in an injury – until we found an awesome place to keep my horse!
After that 10 year period my marriage broke down and I lost the property and returned to the Zoo, for the next 22 years. During his time I also constantly updated my knowledge, attending and presenting at Conferences and studying – Captive Vertebrate Management (Charles Sturt Uni) Management (Upskilled) Training and Assessment (Harrison College) and Equine Myofunctional Therapy (National College of Traditional Medicine) And, I still had horses.
Finding a new property to restart from took a long time – with many disappointments along the way, finally finding the place we call home now. 40 acres in the stunning Lower Inman Valley – just out of Victor Harbor. We now run an Agistment Centre and Agility Park, I run Programs out of Urimbirra Wildlife Park (now privately owned). I have also trained to become an Emmett Practitioner (Horses and Human muscle release therapy) and am slowly gaining clients, mainly through word of mouth. Most of my income producing activities are based outside – so are weather dependent. With the Mortgage Interest rates also impacting me I have also started working part time for PIRSA as a Biosecurity Officer, which I also find rewarding.
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
This is a bit of a tough one! I am not good at self promotion! But I suppose my tenacity and not giving up in the face of adversity. My optimism and that I try and work my way around a problem – not necessarily meeting it head on – but chipping away at the sides, if need be. Finding solutions and adapting. And being resilient!
// What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
The Dog component of the Agility Park! It was always a long term goal to have fun combined Horse and Dog Agility tests – but it was always a bit problematic. Horses and Dogs needed to be trained to a certain standard before attempting to work them together in the current situation. We have had many Horse Clinics – because I believe continuing education to be so important to set you up for success. The Dog clinics were a bit slower – while we had lots of people interested in the concept – it was harder to find that niche trainer. We ran 3 dog training sessions here – which were very well received – but the problem was that dogs needed to stay on the leash because the fences weren’t dog proof. I did look into refencing – using the existing posts – but although several dog trainers said it would be high enough I wasn’t comfortable with the height of the posts – and the cost of the Equi mesh was substantial – with the possibility of not being fit for purpose for some dogs. So, due to lack of finances the project was shelved – but still kept bubbling away…
During this time, I found
• the need for a private dog park was very high – with a lot of reactive dogs (and just dogs in general) simply having nowhere to run and play away from other dogs.
• that many people found public places were unsafe – where dogs (and their owners) were attacked and frightened by unruly dogs.
• there were a lot of dog trainers working with reactive dogs (one on one) who really needed to progress to a larger, secure area, and often these reactive dogs had been attacked in the past – and were very nervous.
• The need for somewhere safe for disabled/elderly people to be able to have fun with their dog in a safe and secure area.
Basically, I found the demand and need for a private Dog Park was very high. I saw a Grant that I thought might fund it (it didn’t) and did some preliminary costing – completely refencing – as well as putting in an automated gate system (that can be remotely operated by WIfi), allowing owners to drive directly into the Park, and have the gate secured, without leaving their car. When I was talking to the suppliers of the materials they were very keen to be involved – and offered a discount for some signage showing their support – which led me to other fundraising ideas. So I’ve put together a proposal – and am keen to get it initiated!) The Park would be very flexible and allow for visitors to hire the Park for themselves – or a group for a period of time. For dogs, or horses or both!
// What would being a Woman to Watch mean to you?
It would mean so much on 2 levels – professionally in that I am not good at self promotion. I am a great advocate for others, and especially animals, when needed – but not so good when it comes to myself. So the promotion and focus on my business and what we do would be invaluable. And are about would be amazing. I am particularly excited about the expansion of the Horse Agility Park to be able to include dogs. As far as I know it will be the first of its kind in Australia (or even the World) and I am so proud that it will be happening in SA! But also on a personal level – my kids have seen me face many challenges, and the resilience needed that goes along with working through those challenges. I don’t think I have been a great role model in the past– I would like them to see that hard work, and fighting for your dreams is important. Never give up! It can be done – just need to navigate those hurdles!
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
I’d like to see more resilience building. That it is ok to be different and to be able to celebrate that difference. And that kids are more active – outside – with less screen time. Connecting with our environment.
Get in touch with Mandy:
LinkedIn: Mandy Smith
Website: Unicorn Equine Services
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.