Linda and Don Zimmerman: are the founders of Manitou Connections LLC, Indianapolis, IN. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help serve their clients. They work as an EAL/EAP team providing services and programs to a wide variety of organizations, groups, and individuals. They have developed a wide variety of school programs; conducted workshops for businesses and organizations, provided direct services to individuals and families and have developed wellness programs.

Linda Zimmerman: has over 20 years experience as a horse specialist.  She is a former cardiac nurse and managed a large cardiac practice as their clinical administrator.   She was a co-founder and Program Director of Strides to Success in Plainfield, IN.  Linda has co-authored three nationally used EAL curriculums: Cowboy Poetry, Journey of the Spirit Horse, and Marvelous Mini’s.  Linda is a NARHA certified instructor and has her EAGALA Level II Certification.  She is currently using her skills and expertise to program development and assisting individuals, groups, teams and organizations

Don “Z” Zimmerman, Ph.D.:   Dr. Zimmerman is a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed clinical social worker and a Nationally Certified Counselor.  The Indiana Counseling Association presented him with its 2007 Mental Health Counselor of the Year Award. He has used the skills and expertise from the mental health field in his consultant work in the areas of communication, team development, organizational development and leadership.  Dr. Zimmerman has over 30 years experience in the mental health and education fields working with agencies, organizations, schools, children, adolescents, adults and families.  His practice includes:  private therapy; consulting with agencies and management teams; crisis response; and, conducting workshops in a wide variety of topic areas.  Dr. Zimmerman is Board Certified in Emergency Crisis Response and was deployed to assist with both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.  He currently serves as the Chair of the State of Indiana’s All Hazard Advisory Committee and also serves on the state Mental Health Advisory Counsel, Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.   He has also taught at the university undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Dr. Zimmerman has his EAGALA Level II certification and he and his wife Linda work as an EAP/EAL team.   He served as the Leadership Development Director at Strides to Success, a non-profit equine assisted learning facility and utilized the EAGALA model in conducting EAP sessions at Strides with his wife, Linda.  Dr. Zimmerman is currently the vice-chair of the EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) Board and has served on numerous boards of state and national organizations

Don and/or Linda Zimmerman have the following professional memberships:

• EAGALA, Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
• American Society for Training and Development
• American Counseling Association
• American Mental Health Counselors Association
• American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
• Association for Play Therapy
• International Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• National Organization for Victim Assistance
• NARHA, North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.