When Dr. Laura Gibson graduated from veterinary school, her sister had a cake made that looked exactly like Jasmine, the black-and-white cat Laura got for her ninth birthday, right down to the black spot in the right place and her little chin spot. Jasmine was still alive then, so Laura posed next to the cake
There’s a difference between riding a horse and partnering with one. Anybody can learn to sit in a saddle and steer. Fewer people learn to actually listen to the animal underneath them — and that’s the piece that takes years, not lessons. Ava H. was seven years old at a Girl Scout badge event, sitting
From Girl Scout Badge to the Show Ring: A Conversation with Young Rider Ava H. Read More »
“I know she’s not going to have a long life. Her spine is curved and it’s gotten progressively worse. I know that. But we will make it the fullest life possible.” That’s Cassie — founder of What’s a Few More Mini Farm in Mooresville, Indiana — talking about Pippy, a Nigerian Dwarf goat born paralyzed
She’ll Headbutt You If You’re Not Listening Read More »
A visit to Bee Lyvely Farms with Indiana beekeeper John Lytell He met me at the car with a bright pink full-body beekeeper suit. I put it on and could only think that I looked like the Stay Puft Marshmallow midget! The crotch was down to my knees since this suit was made for someone
The Day I Talked to 50 Beehives — And What Their Keeper Taught Me About Calm Read More »
In 2003, Courtney Horning’s family bought a Yorkie named Maggie from a pet store. Maggie was very sick. When the vet asked where she came from, it was the first time the Hornings had heard the words “puppy mill.” Maggie lived fifteen years — but with a lot of health problems along the way. One
What the Puppy in the Window Doesn’t Tell You: A Conversation with Courtney Horning Read More »
What does it really mean when a dog growls at a stranger? Or snaps at another dog? For many families, these moments feel confusing — even frightening. But for dog trainer and behavior consultant Kristen Board, they’re an invitation to listen more closely. I recently sat down with Kristen to talk about her work with
When Fear Looks Like a Behavior Problem: A Conversation with Kristen Board Read More »
What happens when you can’t lie to a 1,200-pound animal? When your incongruence—the gap between what you say and what you feel—causes them to simply walk away? That’s the world of Equine Gestalt Coaching, where horses become partners in healing, not through words, but through presence, honesty, and the kind of truth that can only
When Horses Hold Space: A Conversation with Lorrin Maughan Read More »
