Equine Healing and Family Restoration: A Future in Family Science

March 6th, 2025

Excerpt

As I close out this final blog for my Family Dynamics course, I’m filled with gratitude for the ways this class has deepened my understanding of relationships, family systems, and the incredible impact we can have when we serve others with empathy and purpose. Reflecting on my own journey, I now see how each step of my education is not only preparing me for my future career but also helping me live out the calling God has placed on my heart. This course has affirmed my passion for building a therapeutic ranch where families can experience healing, connection, and restoration—through faith, through animals, and through the power of love in action.

Pursuing a Passion for Family and Faith-Centered Care

The purpose of this blog is to reflect on my educational plan and how it will prepare me for a meaningful and impactful career in family science. As someone deeply passionate about serving families and individuals through a holistic and compassionate lens, my ultimate goal is to open my own private practice that integrates animal-assisted therapy into mental health counseling. I believe that healing often takes place in environments where people feel safe, supported, and connected not only to others but also to nature and animals. Through my work, I hope to provide families with therapeutic experiences that combine traditional counseling with the unique benefits of working with horses, farm animals, and dogs. I have personally witnessed how animals can create breakthroughs in emotional healing, and I want to create a space where people can experience this in their own journeys. To achieve this, my educational journey is carefully designed to give me the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to serve diverse families and individuals with excellence.

Educational Steps Toward a Faith-Filled Practice

My educational journey begins at New Mexico State University (NMSU) Global Campus, where I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science through the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Science. This program has already been such a blessing to my personal and professional growth. It offers me the flexibility of being fully online while providing real-world knowledge that I can apply to the families I hope to serve. I have taken time to carefully review the degree plan and discovered that I will need to complete one additional class to meet the requirements to apply for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential. Even though it’s one more class than I initially planned, I know that this certification will be such a valuable accolade in my future endeavors. The CFLE credential will give me added credibility and prepare me to work with diverse families in community agencies, offering services like family education, support, and guidance with confidence and professionalism.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to continue my education with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Florida (UNF). One of the reasons I am so drawn to this program is the opportunity to specialize in Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling (AAT-C). Being able to combine my love for animals with my desire to help people is a dream come true. The AAT-C certificate includes courses like Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling: Theory and Practice, Expressive Arts and Creativity in Counseling, and Animal Assisted Interventions and Therapies in Healthcare. These classes will provide me with the practical skills and ethical training I need to safely and effectively include animals in therapeutic settings, creating unique opportunities for healing with horses, dogs, and farm animals. Alongside my graduate studies, I also plan to pursue certifications in both equine-assisted psychotherapy and therapeutic riding instruction, allowing me to provide clients with comprehensive healing experiences through structured therapeutic riding programs and mental health support facilitated with horses. Horses, in particular, hold a special place in my heart. They are incredible creatures with an unmatched ability to sense human emotion and respond with empathy, patience, and strength. At the end of the day, they will be the heart of my practice. I believe God designed horses with such gentle spirits for a purpose, and I feel called to share their healing presence with those who are hurting and in need of restoration.

In addition to my academic studies, I also plan to further my hands-on experience by taking horseback riding lessons and training in barrel racing, calf roping, and cutting. These skills are not only personal passions but will also support my dream of managing my own cattle one day. Developing these ranching abilities will allow me to fully operate and care for my farm, ensuring I can provide a working, sustainable environment that supports both my therapeutic practice and the animals who will play such a vital role in it.

Looking even further ahead, I am excited to one day pursue my Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Florida State University (FSU). This program is known for its commitment to both advanced clinical training and meaningful research. What really excites me about FSU’s program is the chance to work in their Center for Couple and Family Therapy (CCFT) and support families facing complex challenges like trauma and transition. I am eager to deepen my understanding of family systems while contributing to research that helps strengthen and heal families. I know this path won’t always be easy, but I feel called to this work, and each step in my education brings me closer to creating a practice where people and animals come together to restore lives and relationships.

Turning Passion into Purpose: Building a Therapeutic Ranch

My educational plan is closely aligned with my career aspirations of running my own therapeutic ranch, focused on animal-assisted therapy for families, couples, and individuals. With a deep love for horses and a passion for healing, I am committed to creating a place where people can experience restoration through both traditional counseling methods and the incredible bond shared with animals. Courses in family dynamics, trauma-informed care, and interpersonal relationships are already helping me develop the skills necessary to work with diverse clients and address relational challenges with sensitivity and confidence. Concepts like effective communication, active listening, and conflict resolution have affirmed my passion for helping families build healthier, stronger connections.

These lessons inspire me to dream even bigger. I envision a ranch where individuals not only receive emotional and mental health support but also build trust, confidence, and healing through hands-on work with horses, cattle, and the land itself. Through barrel racing, roping, riding, and therapeutic animal interactions, my goal is to offer families a unique environment where they feel grounded, safe, and deeply cared for. At the heart of my future practice is a belief that God uses these beautiful creatures to teach us patience, strength, and unconditional love—and I am honored to be part of that work.

Where Studies and Stewardship Align: Preparing for Ranch Life

Looking ahead, I know my educational journey is the foundation for building the life and career God has placed on my heart. Every step—whether it’s earning certifications, gaining hands-on experience, or pursuing advanced degrees—draws me closer to creating a space where families can heal, grow, and thrive together. My greatest hope is to cultivate a ranch that is not only a place of therapeutic work but a sanctuary where people encounter peace, restoration, and the presence of God through the beauty of His creation.

This reflection has reinforced my commitment to intentionally seek out courses, internships, and mentorships that align with my vision and allow me to keep growing as both a professional and a servant leader. With God's guidance, I am confident that this path will lead me to fulfill my purpose and leave a lasting impact on the field of family science through innovative, compassionate, and faith-driven care.