After years of working in community-based, in-office therapy, I found myself burned out. The routine was starting to feel disconnected from my true passions, and I missed the sense of purpose and joy I once felt when working alongside horses. The natural, therapeutic energy of the farm, where every day was a chance to connect with these incredible animals, had become a distant memory. I knew it was time for a change.

Determined to find a way to combine my love for horses with my professional skills, I shifted my focus to research on Equine Assisted Services. I went back to school, earned my Ph.D., and dove deeply into the research showing how this work was transforming clients’ lives, especially when traditional talk therapy was not enough. I realized that this was the perfect way to merge my two lifelong passions: horsemanship and helping others.

But there was a problem. There were no local opportunities to blend these two fields. So after completing my Ph.D. at ECU, I decided to forge my own path and partnered with Malaika Albrecht and Freckles Farm. Together, we met Mane Source Counseling’s very first client and began working with Bonita and Apple, two horses who turned out to be the perfect fit for our approach. The first session felt magical. The weather was beautiful, the horses were calm and connected, and the client was exactly where they needed to be. I knew immediately that this was the beginning of something special.

In 2019, my personal journey with horses underwent a significant shift in a meaningful way. A dear friend, knowing my deep connection with these animals, sent me Octavia, a horse who, much like me at the time, was burned out from her previous job. That marked the beginning of my own personal herd, which slowly grew as more animals arrived, each bringing their own unique presence and healing energy.

As word spread about the work we were doing at Mane Source Counseling, my practice grew quickly. Referrals rolled in, and I expanded the team to include talented therapists who brought their own strengths and areas of specialty.

The growth did not stop there. Mane Source Counseling now has its own sanctuary, a place where horses, humans, and other animals can heal and grow together. Along with our incredible human team, we have welcomed a beautiful herd that currently includes equines, chickens, rabbits, and more.

Click below to meet the herd and learn more about how we are creating healing spaces not only for people, but for every living being who finds their way here.