Therapeutic Riding Instructor

I'm pretty excited. I've been thinking about doing this since I graduated from college in 2004, and I'm about ready to make it a reality. I spent 2+ year during college working at an after school program w/teens with disabilities, and no other job I've had has touched me as deeply. Had I figured this out earlier in my education, I probably wouldn't have ended up with a BA in Communication Studies-Public Relations I've spent the last 4 years working in "corporate" jobs-enterprise software consulting, admin for a environ. Consulting firm, a awesome non-profit working in fundraising and now an internet advertising company. All fairly lucrative careers, but pretty uninspiring.

Starting mid-winter (Feb or March), I'm planning to start the NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc.) instructor self-course. Once I finish that, I'll do my instructor training hours at a NARHA facility back in California after we move home. I may find that I can't make enough money to live on doing this, but I'm hopeful that between that and my freelance writing/other skills, I can make it work. I was telling my bf about it this morning, and he seemed confused as to why I was worried about making $15-20 an hour. Enter blushing and mumbling about having a family.

So anyway, I'll be getting to combiine two things I love most in this world, horses and working with people with special needs, and that's so freaking exciting.

That is so awesome!
The barn where I rode 4 years ago would have have a program every Saturday for handicap people (ranging from young to old). I'm not sure how long the program was, but at the end they would have a horse show and most of them would be riding by themselves (no one holding onto the horse or them, but there was someone walking with the horse)

It was so nice seeing all the joy on their faces and their loved ones too!

Enjoy it Missy!

Hooray for you!!!! I am just tickled to pieces that the almighty dollar hasn't swayed your heart!! Go follow your dreams my dear!!!!!!!

It's certainly something I struggle with, but since living in MI and learning how to budget (*smacks forehead*) we've really been able to see how little we need to comfortably live on. My bf (who's my lifer) will be finishing his degree in accounting, so he'll make more than decent wages for a few years as a CPA, but he has more social services-oriented work in mind. We'll be a poorer, happier family for it I guess

Thanks for the well wishes!

The answer is in your signature. Great decision.

(You can have one of my carrots)

very true, I hadn't thought about that. Thanks for the kudos (and carrot!)