Founder/Executive Director: Jami
Howdy!
I am a licensed and registered social worker with the BCCSW. I have a diverse work and educational background prior to changing careers and becoming a social worker. It was both fortunate and unfortunate life experiences that led to my decision to build my future around helping others. I have personally experienced PTSD (with corresponding depression and anxiety) and been diagnosed with avoidant reactive attachment disorder. Returning to horses has allowed me to find peace and purpose; I grew up riding and working with horses as I was fortunate enough to have an adult mentor in my life who took me on as a “horseless horse-lover”. When I moved to the Cariboo, I began handling and training people’s unused horses for the opportunity to ride and train, and 3 years ago was finally able to buy my first horse- Rockstar! I founded the Hope and Horses Society so others who are not in the place in life to have or afford their own horse or private-for-profit services still have the opportunity to access the healing powers of horses.
My interests in research, program development, behaviorology and humane animal training (I have MANY interests) are evident in this program as I hope to educate others on empirically-based and species-specific handling and training techniques that will also help build a trusting relationship between horse and human while countering some problematic traditions and beliefs in the equestrian world.
Horses used in the program have been trained by myself- almost all have their own story to tell and have overcome adversity in their own lives as well.