Nancy’s interest in horses began at 16 months of age when she received a rocking horse on the first Christmas she can remember. Her interest in the challenges disabled people faced every day started with her Great Uncle Walter who she first met when she was 3 years of age. Uncle Walter was blind. He had lost his sight when he was taking money earned from his business to the bank for deposit. He was robbed by a thug who hit him with a blackjack (as it was called in those days), knocked him unconscious and robbed him of his hard earned money. Uncle Walter was kind, sweet, and never complained about his misfortune. At the time he was a young man, engaged to be married. He broke the engagement because he did not want to burden the girl he loved. Nancy was fascinated by what he could do without sight. Play the piano, he had even taught piano. He took care of his invalid sister, and did all the cooking. Later as a teen-ager, Nancy baby sat a disabled child.
In the early 1980’s Nancy went through a life altering experience. Not to be the first. But, this is when her horse “Dusty” entered her life. The Golden Palomino that she had always dreamed of having as a child. Dusty was her therapy. Dusty started the chain of events that led Nancy to her life’s mission.
In 1985 Nancy was certified by Happy Horsemanship For The Handicapped, Inc. as a Certified Administrator, Instructor, and Clinician. In 1986, she opened Heads Up Therapy With Horses for disabled children and adults. While being Founder and Executive Director of Heads Up she served as Set Advisor for NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicap Association; now know as PATH) in the production of a video with President and Mrs. Regan for Therapy On Horseback. She also served as the Volunteer Training Director for the newly forming California Network of Equestrian Therapy (CALNET). She is a Certified Direct Support Professional for California, and most recently finished her Army one Source Training, PTSD Then and Now.
On the more creative side Nancy has served as a Western Music DJ Host, KHTS Radio, Santa Clarita, California. The show “Around The Barn” featured guests for discussion on topics related to horses, therapy, and achievements of the disabled population, and interviews with celebrity Western Music Artists from all over the country. “Around The Barn” was nominated for Best Radio Show of Years 2011, 2012, 2013 by the Western Music Association (WMA). On a final note, she has become a story/coloring book author for a true story series called “Dusty And Friends”, an educational coloring book. The stories come from the 27 year operation of Heads Up therapeutic riding center for special needs children.
http://veteranpodcast.com/044
