My first career was as a federal officer for US Customs and Border Protection where I worked for about 6 years. I am now a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner treating mental illness in both children and adults.
While the leap from law enforcement to nursing seems like a drastic change, I have ultimately found that the experiences encountered in both roles are not all that different. As an officer at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, affectionately known as the “wild wild west”, the work is fast-paced and oftentimes dangerous. As a nurse, I started out in the emergency department before transitioning to behavioral health and these settings require as much or more energy and vigilance.
My husband Greg and I started riding horses together while on vacations, and eventually, we both realized how therapeutic these experiences were. We had a guide tell us to volunteer with horses before investing in our own. I took this to heart and came across Saddles in Service. Initially, I thought I was starting this program purely to learn horsemanship, but I quickly realized that it would be far more than that.
One of the first things I learned upon starting the program was that horses are sensitive to a human’s energy. Although I am aware of my own anxiety, it wasn’t until I started working with the horses that I realized the level of anxiety and hypervigilance I was carrying. Sessions with Caleigh, Dave, Megan, and Lindsey (to name a few) have taught me that horses are truly mirrors of our emotional state.
I remember riding Pharo in the arena and being fearful of the various obstacles when Megan said, “Your brain is a hamster wheel!” And she couldn’t have been more correct! Megan is calm and observant, and she immediately identified the anxiety that I was carrying. She provided me the guidance that allowed me to focus on the task at hand. It was after that session I started to trust myself and the horse and to be present in the moment.
I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn horsemanship, be a part of a wonderful community, and develop skills that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
