Please tell us about yourself.
I am a licensed psychologist and I have been interested in horses since I was a child. I found a way to combine my profession with my passion for horses. I started my first equine therapy practice in 2002 in Florida. In 2014, I moved to Humboldt County, along with my five therapy horses and ponies, and started Healing Strides Psychotherapy, Inc., a practice working with children.
What led you to become part of the faculty in the Equine Assisted Services & Therapies program?
I want to grow the field in our county. I am often approached by people who want to do something similar with horses, but trainings typically involve long distance travel.
What can you tell us about the students in this program?
They are from all walks of life. Some already have horse experience and others want to gain horse experience. Each student has a unique idea of how they would like to work with horses to help humans.
How have you seen students' lives impacted by completion of this program?
I've seen several students begin working on starting their own equine-based service. Many are motivated to learn more after the course.
How have you seen students' lives impacted by completion of this program?
I've seen several of the students begin working on starting their own equine-based service program. Many of the students are motivated to learn more and to formulate how they will add onto the knowledge gained in the course.
What have you learned from the students in the Equine Assisted Services & Therapies program?
I've been happy to see their creativity in how they hope to work with horses in some kind of healing setting. The students have a great respect for the rights of therapy horses and the ethical treatment of horses in therapy settings. I've been providing equine therapy for over 20 years, and I often have the perspective that it is pretty straightforward and not "rocket science." Through the students, I'm learning that even some of the "simpler" things about equine therapies are much more complex to individuals that are not yet in the field. I've learned to slow down, simplify and appreciate the smaller things that go into this work.
