As I reflect on my journey in life, it stirs many emotions. As a woman with the titles of daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, Christian, and among many others, I find myself beyond grateful with the life I have been blessed with and the path that has led me to this beautiful Nomination.
As a young girl, I was particularly blessed to have devout parents who raised me with a love for God and a heart for service. I was also fortunate to grow up on a wonderful horse farm where this young girl’s dreams always felt like they came true in the magical world of horses…but secretively I was hiding fears and loneliness, not knowing one day I would find the road to healing.
In my early years I certainly did not understand how important it was to serve others, but today I feel there is nothing more important in life than to make a difference in other’s lives, particularly those who are suffering.
Fast forwarding quickly through my years, I had a simple childhood, became a true horsewoman, graduated from college in Broadcast Journalism, married and had five beautiful children, homeschooled my children for a total of 29 years and within those years of raising my children, God assigned me the blessing of taking care of my mother with Alzheimer’s for 13 years.
Upon the loss of my beautiful Mother, came forth the founding of my Non Profit, Healing with Horses Louisiana, an Alternative Equine Therapy program, which would ultimately become my passion in life, helping those with special needs and special circumstances through the natural intuition of horses.
I had no idea what God was asking of me, but I definitely wanted to always answer him with a, “Yes.”
With that, “Yes,” my work as the Founder of HWHL has shaped and molded an entirely new person in me, one I never even knew was capable of existing.
I truly believe this Mission came to me directly from the heart of my mother, who was guiding me and encouraging me ironically through her Alzheimer’s, to be the best version of myself.
It was in those years of caring for her with this horrible disease that I began using our horses to help her heal and find some peace and comfort along the way of her own challenging journey.
Her response was absolutely life changing. She came out of the darkness of Alzheimer’s and saw a light through the horse’s natural ability to heal in a way I had never known before.
I felt deeply in my heart, I had to carry this on after she passed.
This work has become my heart and soul. Through my foundation, I feel I am able to make a tremendous impact in our incredible Community by having the humble honor of assisting the healing of Veterans, cancer Survivors, Alzheimer’s victims, those experiencing grief & depression, Caregivers, Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, suicidal ideation Survivors, Addicts, Nursing Home & Rehab Residents and those with Special Needs, one person at a time, in the present moment of their life.
To have this incredible honor of being nominated for the, Professional Women of St Tammany, Women’s Choice Awards 2026, is not something I can keep to myself, yet I take great honor in sharing this Nomination with every, single Woman who has triumphed in becoming the best version of themselves! Thank you!
And to that one, incredibly, guiding Woman in my life, my sweet Mother, God’s Blessings to you always!