• Bachelors degree in Education
•  Masters degree in Counseling
•  Certified Riding Instructor through the “Certified Horsemanship Association” (CHA)*
• Certified in English, Jumping, Western and Therapeutic
• Fingerprint clearance card
• CPR and First Aid trained

I have spent my entire career working with children-as a teacher, social worker, counselor, foster parent and a homeschooling mom. Previous to opening “barnraised”, I worked at large, local commercial horse facility where I designed, implemented and ran many of the riding programs there, such as “The Horse Experience for the Young Child”, the weekly “Saddle Club” and the Summer Camps. I currently volunteer at Horses with Heart which is a therapeutic riding facility for those with special needs. I was previously the co-director of the Junior Volunteer program at Horses with Heart. 

My two passions in life have always been CHILDREN and HORSES. The approach that I take with children and horses is gentle. I respect that some children have a natural or learned fear of horses and I love helping children through that in a respectful and sensitive way. I also know the value of horses in a child’s life. Strength, courage, character, self-confidence, assertiveness and calm focus are characteristics that strengthen in children at “barnraised” and it’s the animals that help bring that out.