As a lifetime partner of Horse, Jennifer has experienced showing, teaching, training, and the magic of true relationship.  Before following her passion of helping people, she apprenticed for an equine veterinarian and worked five years for a small animal vet.  Although she dedicated 4 years of her undergraduate work to pre-veterinary medicine, Jennifer felt called to a career in psychotherapy.  She then graduated from the University of Maryland with her Masters in Social Work. 

Jennifer broadened her clinical skills through her work in various settings including the University of Maryland's Adult Inpatient Psychiatry Unit, Phillips School for Severely Emotionally Disturbed Children, and the Howard County Sexual Assault Center.  Although she found this work rewarding, Jennifer  felt there was a  deeper level of healing she could offer by incorporating animals and spirituality in her everyday services.  Her own animals and love of nature inspired her to broaden her therapeutic education.   

Ultimately, Jennifer's  desire to expand her services to humans and animals through traditional and alternative mediums, brought her to Colorado, where she completed a mentorship at Spirit Horse Ranch .  Her studies at Spirit Horse included offering therapy to humans and animals through equine assisted psychotherapy, interspecies communication, and vibrational healing.  Jennifer continues to expand her psychotherapeutic and intuitive skills through a variety of continuing education modalities including the Epona Center, The Spirit Horse Center, and various psychotherapy workshops.

Animal Awakenings contracts with several community organizations to promote lasting change.  In the last 4 years, Jennifer provided equine psychotherapeutic services to the Compass House, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping teens and families in Boulder, Colorado.  As a member of the Intensive Outpatient Substance Use Program (IOP), she offered valuable healing and recovery opportunities to the Program participants.   Jennifer also currently assists in teaching the Naropa Wilderness Therapy Equine field rotation with Rocky Mountain Equi-rhythms.  In addition, she is currently teaching beginning and advanced level training through a 6-month Mentorship program for graduate students pursuing Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy as a career. 

  The Animal Awakenings Tribe:

Espirito de Oso: "Oso" and I have journeyed together for lifetimes.  We were reunited again when I attended a workshop, nearly 5 years ago, on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in Tucson, Arizona, at the ranch where this spirit horse was born.  In the throes of changing careers and moving across country, I was not ready for a new horse partner, or so I thought.  But, our chemistry was awe-inspiring upon meeting, and as Oso so perfectly models, divine timing always prevails. A previously thought "timid" horse, Oso confidently pushed aside his herd-mates and planted his entire forehead over my heart, reducing his former owner and I both to tears.  And finding my heart, while guiding others toward theirs, is exactly what our work is about.  With clarity and absolute honesty, Oso teaches us to be fully present in our bodies and live in the moment.  Many clients are drawn to Oso because of his pure light, open heart, and willingness to try just about anything.  But as most of us quickly discover, he will ask you to come forward with your whole self and declare what it is you are truly wanting in this moment (as opposed to what you think you need).  Authenticity, clear communication, and playfulness are what we all get when partnering with Oso!     

Shakti: Meaning, "Divine Feminine Partner," in Hindu, Shakti chose her name the morning I went to pick her up from the shelter.  Unlike Oso, she and I did not instantly connect, reminding me that all Soul Contracts do not look or feel the same.  She had been dropped off  by her previous owner and felt no desire to build relationship; she appeared guarded and aloof.  Trying to choose which dog to partner with, I was tempted to go with the little dog that seemed eager to come home with me.  But my intuition guided me to put "Lottie" on hold and sit with it for 24 hours.  I was clear with both dogs about the partnership I was offering, and invited them to communicate their desires.  Disregarding all previously learned skills, I feverishly searched for clues, trying to think of fitting names for both of them.  But the lesson Shakti offered was far deeper: listen patiently and allow.  The next morning I woke up with an image of "Lottie" (her former name) and the letters S-H-A-K-T-I spelled out in my mind's eye.  Intuition often comes in when you're open and quiet enough to receive, such is the wisdom of the feminine. Unfamiliar with the exact definition of the word, I quickly opened my computer, only to find the incredible meaning of this wise canine's new name.  And Divine Feminine Partner, she is.  She instantly began to show affection, nurturing, and a desire to energetically co-create, as soon as we pulled away from the shelter.  Shakti will open and receive love with all of her heart, once you've stepped into relationship with all of yours.  She is a strong, beautiful leader with all of her human and animal friends, exerting her power (or herd instincts :-) effectively when an invitation arises.  She has several human friends who are humbled by her keen sense that allows her to detect the slightest upset or change in emotion, to which she responds by placing her chest/heart chakra against their hearts.  I am grateful to her for guiding me to a more balanced Yin, helping me to receive her rather than "rescue."  She reminds us all that animals choose their paths, on a soul level, and, just as in our human partnerships, they do not benefit from being "saved," but rather, authentically loved with all that you Are.

Zoe: Originally named "Zodiac" by my college roommate, it was certainly in the stars for this vibrant kitty and I to partner together.  Our amazing 12- year  journey has facilitated many evolutions.  Zoe chooses to express her feminine wisdom quietly and gracefully.  She appeared on my doorstep just before graduation, her sweet, yet street-smart personality luring me in.  She commands the respect of the many dogs that enter her domain through confident, gentle power.  She will not hide her emotions or nurture you, unless it's in alignment for her, reminding the feminine and masculine alike to be where you are and express yourself  without apology.  And it is because of her radical honesty that Zoe will show the deepest affection and softness you have ever known.  Zoe reminds us this is really the only way to approach long-term relationship, with a truth and love that grow and evolve over time.             

Soda: This wise horse's motto is, "The best things in life are free... including me!"  The oldest member of our equine therapy herd, Soda has had three primary human partners in this lifetime, none of which included monetary exchange of any kind.  He is the most balanced masculine energy of the herd, providing clients with a  clear direction to their hearts when working with him.  He calls out the ability to receive and feel from his female friends because of the love and strength he provides, while  beckoning a sense of drive and empowered, peaceful warrior from his male clients.  Soda teaches that you do not have to put a price tag on yourself in order to feel "worth it" and you can move through the world safely with the quiet strength of  knowing who you are and why your are here: to Be love in every moment!  One of my interns enjoys practicing with such a cute, sensitive male energy like Soda.