Animal Welfare Professionals

One of my favorite things to do in life is rescue animals. I've been on a horse since before I could walk. My parents cultivated a passion I seemed to have at birth; save the voiceless. I always loved animals and had a sixth sense for them. I hear them, see them, acknowledge them, and recognize their needs and qualities immediately.  My whole life, we took on the downtrodden. 

In 2013, I lost my husband to his 3rd tour in Iraq. I had already been rescuing animals, but I, like so many, was failing to save our soldiers. I chose to look away from their plight, assuming "someone else" was caring for them. Until I married into the military, and subsequently, lost due to the military.  

I decided to quit my teaching career. I went back to school to get my degree in psychology, specializing in military trauma. I followed this by gaining a certification in equine assisted therapy. 

Bringing my passions together, I opened Destinacion's Therapy and Maybell's Mission INC.  A 501c3 nonprofit organization in Colorado. Military and their families are seen here free of charge for equine assisted therapy. The horses we use in the program are rescues. Their stories range from not being affordable any longer to horrific abuse and neglect.  Horses who have lost their purpose, lost hope, hold their heads low and drag their feet, and fear human touch, come here to find their value. No matter their limitations, from trauma leaving them untouchable all the way up to retrained and rideable, they have a significant impact on clients. They have worth. They have purpose. They have love. Together, client and horse walk through a painful journey, share their stories, and bond over their pain. The connection is palpable. The growth is heart-warming.  It is a safe, unspoken, forgiving, non-judgmental experience, and one so unique, people are left forever changed. 

With the new knowledge of how horses serve us in so many more ways than we thought, i.e., riding and working, is it possible to see them in a different light? Can we keep them from ending up in bad situations by supporting the upcycling of the unwanted horses? If so, how can we make this better-known so more equines end up with a new career, purpose and life? How does word spread so those in need of parting with their horse(s) can safely place them in a meaningful environment? I'm curious about the opinions of people in the world of animal kindness. Thank you. 

One of my favorite things to do in life is rescue animals. I've been on a horse since before I could walk. My parents cultivated a passion I seemed to have at birth; save the voiceless. I always loved animals and had a sixth sense for them. I hear them, see them, acknowledge them, and recognize their needs and qualities immediately.  My whole life, we took on the downtrodden. 

In 2013, I lost my husband to his 3rd tour in Iraq. I had already been rescuing animals, but I, like so many, was failing to save our soldiers. I chose to look away from their plight, assuming "someone else" was caring for them. Until I married into the military, and subsequently, lost due to the military.  

I decided to quit my teaching career. I went back to school to get my degree in psychology, specializing in military trauma. I followed this by gaining a certification in equine assisted therapy. 

Bringing my passions together, I opened Destinacion's Therapy and Maybell's Mission INC.  A 501c3 nonprofit organization in Colorado. Military and their families are seen here free of charge for equine assisted therapy. The horses we use in the program are rescues. Their stories range from not being affordable any longer to horrific abuse and neglect.  Horses who have lost their purpose, lost hope, hold their heads low and drag their feet, and fear human touch, come here to find their value. No matter their limitations, from trauma leaving them untouchable all the way up to retrained and rideable, they have a significant impact on clients. They have worth. They have purpose. They have love. Together, client and horse walk through a painful journey, share their stories, and bond over their pain. The connection is palpable. The growth is heart-warming.  It is a safe, unspoken, forgiving, non-judgmental experience, and one so unique, people are left forever changed. 

With the new knowledge of how horses serve us in so many more ways than we thought, i.e., riding and working, is it possible to see them in a different light? Can we keep them from ending up in bad situations by supporting the upcycling of the unwanted horses? If so, how can we make this better-known so more equines end up with a new career, purpose and life? How does word spread so those in need of parting with their horse(s) can safely place them in a meaningful environment? I'm curious about the opinions of people in the world of animal kindness. Thank you.