I didn't grow up with horses at home, but many of my friends did.  I rode occasionally until 6th grade when I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to ride almost daily and practically live at the home of my best friend.  In the spring of that year I was able to miss school, sleep in the stall and be present for the foaling of the newest horse on the farm.  What an amazing experience for a 6th grader!  Then middle school happened and I found myself launched in an entirely different direction.  I thought of horses often, but that summer after 6th grade was pretty much the last time that I rode or was even around horses. 

When I moved to Asheville in 2014, I was introduced to Heart of Horse Sense by my yoga teacher who worked on the farm at the time.  I was instantly impressed and began volunteering.  Partway through 2015 I left for a stint in grad school (for Waldorf education) and then to live and work at a homeschool cooperative, where one of my jobs was teaching music - one of my two favorite things.  I found my way back to Horse Sense in the fall of 2021 when I answered the invitation to the Mane Event.  To my amazement Shannon remembered me.  I knew it was time to return as a volunteer.  Saturday volunteering was a challenge as I worked every Saturday for the National Park Service where I got paid to do my other favorite thing - be in nature.  However, Children First fit into my schedule perfectly.  This work spoke to me so deeply.  I remembered how much being around horses helped me.  While it wasn't formal therapy, being with horses brought me more into myself and helped me to develop confidence.  When the need arrose for a new volunteer coordinator, it just happened to coincide with a break I was taking from the park so that my partner and I could hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, which we did this past summer.  I am happy to say that I love this position and that my winter job (working with Appalachian Landslide Consultants) has given me year round opportunity so that I can stay.