Jo was one of those little girls who begged her parents for a pony. They eventually gave in, thinking that it would be a short-lived phase. The phase lasted over 60 years.

She grew up with her horses and dogs which helped to nurture her passion for the human-animal bond and its importance in the development of an increase in awareness of animal ethics and welfare.

She spent many years working in the veterinary industry and spent 23 years as a lecturer at TAFE coordinating and teaching veterinary nursing, horse husbandry, animal behaviour, and ethics and welfare.

She also studied a law degree and went on to do a master’s in law with research into animal law and the human animal bond, incorporating ethics and welfare versus animal rights.

She now owns and runs the Sunset Ridge Equestrian Park, competes in Dressage and Working Equitation, and the occasional breed shows with her two Warlanders.