Horses have been a place of refuge and steadiness in my life for as long as I can remember. In seasons marked by bullying and later by abusive relationships, their presence offered something I did not consistently experience elsewhere: , acceptance, calm, and a sense of being seen without judgment. That connection became an anchor during some of my most difficult years.

As a mother, I also witnessed the impact of trauma on my children. I saw meaningful shifts in anxiety and depression when my daughters spent time with horses. One pivotal moment came when my eldest found the confidence to leave an abusive relationship and begin again in a new state. Even before I had language for it, I recognized the profound healing available in the horse–human connection.

That realization led to the creation of DreamCatchers and ultimately to my certification in the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® (EGCM) in 2024. Today, I partner with my horses at Rock Creek ReTreet Center just outside of Lincoln, NE to support teens and adults as they move through trauma, anxiety, grief, and life transitions, helping them reconnect with their own strength, clarity, and capacity for lasting change.