Dr Rebecca Bailey, Ph.D. is a family psychologist, equestrian and world-renowned professional teacher, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. She is co-founder of the Polyvagal Equine Institute and Connection Focused Therapy and founder of Transitioning Families. She is a consultant with organizations such as The JAYC Foundation, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Malouf Foundation, and the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. With over 35 years of experience in the field, she is dedicated to the notion that authenticity, common sense, and kindness are the crucial components for effective treatment, and that to truly connect with others, we must first understand our own nervous system and its impact on our actions and reactions. Her lifelong relationship with horses and her love for all animals continues to inform her work and understanding of the human condition. She is author of two books: Safe Kids: Smart Parents (2013) and Equine Connections – Polyvagal Principles (2021). Rebecca has also authored numerous articles on polyvagal principles and the application of equine interventions for needy populations. She is lead author with Jaycee Dugard, Dr S Smith, and Dr Porges on an article examining appeasement, which contributed to a change in how rape and resistance is viewed and adjudicated in Japan.

Jaycee Dugard is an abduction survivor and advocate. Since being rescued from an 18-year abduction in 2009, Jaycee has used her freedom and her voice to share her unique survivor experience. She co-created the JAYC Foundation to help other families who have suffered a familial or non-familial abduction, or other trauma and encourages the collaboration of various organizations to provide ‘Protected Spaces’ for families and individuals to heal. Jaycee is the co-creator of education programs including the Ruthless Kindness’s Empathy Education Curriculum. She is co-founder of the Polyvagal Equine Institute with longtime friends, Dr Rebecca Bailey and equine expert Margie McDonald. Together they share programs, videos and workshops focusing on incorporating horses with understandings of Polyvagal Theory. Jaycee is author of A Stolen Life (2011) and Freedom: My Book of Firsts (2016): memoirs that she wrote that detail her eighteen years in captivity, eventual rescue, and recovery process. She presents with Dr Bailey, reinforcing her work and emphasising victims’ innate resiliency. She recently co-authored Appeasement: Replacing Stockholm Syndrome as a Definition of a Survival Strategy (2023) with fellow authors, Dr Porges, Dr Bailey and Dr Smith. Jaycee enjoys spending time with her family and her beloved four-legged companions in California.