My Story.

How many of you have a dog? A cat? A horse?

It is no exaggeration to say that horses saved me.

As a child, happy memories were found in the stable and amongst horses. I was a child who grew up around horses. My childhood home looked out at a stable across the street. I started taking riding lessons at 4 years old. And by 7 I was working for my rides by sweeping isles and mucking stalls. It was not one horse that I loved, but rather the entire environment. I was safe in the barn. Horses taught me empathy and compassion. They taught me that falling off, though painful, was an opportunity to get back on; confidence, and trust. I had no idea about any of this then of course. I just wanted to be in the barn, to escape every other environment I moved through. Of course, stories of love and hardship continue, evolve and endure - time passes.

In 2009, I worked at a therapeutic riding program in Hartford CT, and urban stable. Youth from the community came to the stable every day, after-school as a safe haven. It was there that I met a young man. He had a temper unlike any I had seen before. I was fascinated by him. One day, he came in and clearly was in a terrible mood. I could feel the energy emanating off of him. I followed him to the barn, not saying anything. I watched him as he walked up to the stall door and flung it open. The horse spun around so fast and feigned to kick him – but didn’t.

I saw him take stock of how close he had just come to getting kicked. He stepped back, took a deep breath, lowered his shoulders. Then opened the door again and extended his hand. The hose lowered his head and allowed the young man to put his halter on. Together, they walked off.

I thought to myself, if that young man came to my door like that, I would have kicked him too! I don’t know that I would have given him a second chance that fast. The horse had mirrored his behavior and showed him that he needed to step back. That is the beauty of what horses teach us. In that moment, I saw myself in that young man. I saw the hurt, unregulated, flailing young child who was looking for safety, comfort, and love. He found it in a horse, as did I. Horses help us to heal.

I am privileged now to work at a therapeutic riding stable here in Ohio. I work with youth and adults every day to help them heal through the power of horses. Some have already healed, and now they in turn help others too. How lucky am I, to have been saved by horses, to work in the environment that saved me? To have a personal connection to the work is the most meaningful experience I could ask for.

Now I want to hear your story. Let’s connect, tell me more.  

TedxCWRU

Untold Stories.

11.11.18

Research. Current research is focused on the biological impact that animals have on children. Specifically, my work is with children and dogs and the ability of dogs to reduce fear and anxiety in stressful situations. To that end, I am trained to integrate biofeedback measures into social science research, bridging fields of social and science.

Education. I have created 1 & 3 credit Masters level courses for social work and aligned fields. In spring 2016, I will be teaching the 1-credit Human-Animal Interactions in Social Work at Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. The class is held on three Saturdays in April, contact me for more details.

Advocacy. I strive to provide resources and education to empower individuals and communities to make decisions that strengthen relationships. Advocacy typically occurs at the nexus of discomfort - when someone or something feels change is needed. I help others lean into this discomfort, and navigate tough conversations, leading to courageous acts of positive change.

Service. Founded in 2016, I co-chair the human-animal interactions workgroup for NASW-Ohio where we strive to provide education, resources, and networking to professions working in the HAI field. 

Consultant

Licensed Masters Social Worker, Certified Veterinary Social Worker, Doctorate

Biosketch

I am a veterinary social worker and doctorate of the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. My dissertation research sought to explore the feasibility of measuring the biological impact that animals have on children, specifically the ability of dogs to reduce fear and anxiety in stressful situations by measuring salivary analytes (e.g. oxytocin, alpha-amylase, and cortisol). I am the director of program quality at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, and founder and co-chair of the human-animal interactions workgroup with National Association of Social Workers, Ohio chapter. 

Curriculum Vitae

Consultation Services

Affiliations

• Society for Social Work Research, Member
• National Association of Social Workers, Human-Animal Interactions Workgroup, Chair

Education

Case Western Reserve University
Doctorate of Social Welfare, 2019

University of Connecticut, School of Social Work
MSW, Community Organizing, 2011

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
B.A., Social Thought and Political Economy, 2007

Study Abroad: University of Limerick, Ireland