Service has always been the heartbeat of my family. My husband served more than 35 years as a firefighter, our daughter is an Emergency Room nurse, our son has served as an EMT and firefighter, and our son-in-law serves in law enforcement. I have witnessed firsthand the weight first responders carry—the calls they cannot forget, the strength they must summon daily, and the quiet toll it can take. While my path has been with horses for nearly 50 years, that journey has given me the ability to truly listen, to hold space, and to offer calm in the midst of chaos.
Through Natural Lifemanship and our work at Operation Second Stride, I have seen how horses help first responders regulate, reconnect, and rebuild resilience. Thoroughbreds, especially, mirror their journey—strong, courageous, and adaptable, even after demanding careers. This mission is deeply personal to me because I know what it means to love someone who serves. Supporting this work means giving our first responders and their families a safe place to breathe, reset, and remember they do not have to carry it alone.
