My journey with Always & Furever (A&F) began by helping care for the organizationās newly adopted miniature ponies while supporting its mission of giving animals a second chance. I later became Manager of the Osawatomie shelter location, where I had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable transformation. During my time there, the shelter evolved from a traditional kennel environment into a unique community where dogs and cats were able to live in their own individual homes, known as the Oz Lighthouses. It was incredibly rewarding to watch the shelter change from a place filled with constant barking and kennel stress into an environment of peace, comfort, and serenity, where animals could heal, thrive, and experience a higher quality of life during their already stressful transition to finding their furever family and home. Seeing these transformations firsthand strengthened my passion for animal welfare and community service.
Today, I am proud to be part of a new community outreach initiative that brings joy, comfort, and connection to senior living communities, hospice facilities, schools, and other community organizations through visits with our miniature ponies. As a professional equestrian for more than 30 years, horses have been at the center of both my personal and professional life. This new chapter allows me to share the unique therapeutic benefits of horses with others. I am incredibly honored to use my lifelong experience to help enrich lives and strengthen community bonds. Helping others experience the comfort, joy, and healing presence of horses has become one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
