Christine

Christine grew up in upstate New York, living throughout the United States including Arizona and Alaska. In 2014 her husband and then 4-year-old daughter all moved to Colorado. Christine’s long-term recovery from alcoholism has paved the path to a career in the field of addiction. Her recovery journey and lifelong history around horses led her to open her own business utilizing those factors. Since getting sober, she has obtained her NCPRSS National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist and CEAC Certified Equine Assisted Coach. Christine is an Equine Assisted Recovery Coach who works with individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. Powered by the motivation of her own experiences in recovery, she facilitates activities with the clients that helps them work through the barriers that hinder growth and rehabilitation.

Christine’s past professional experience includes working as a peer coach in a clinical setting. During this time, she developed a 12-week curriculum for a Recovery Engagement Group that was adapted and incorporated into her current practice. Her work is influenced by a 40-year history of working with and training horses, her training as a recovery coach, and the experience gained through working collaboratively with a clinical team of counselors, therapists, and social workers. Christine’s belief in the power of horses in recovery stems from first-hand experience. She has taken “wisdom from the herd” and incorporated it into her daily recovery through authenticity and living in the moment.

She is passionate about passing along this wisdom and teaching others to do the same. Christine has worked hard to make her dreams come true. A couple years into sobriety, she bought a 6-acre ranch in Elizabeth Colorado, and a few horses. When you arrive on the ranch, you feel the peace the country setting, and mountain views bring. Serenity Stables is currently the only Equine Life & Recovery Coach in the Denver Metro.

Miss River

Miss River is a 21-year-old Morgan. She is a Lead mare and extremely sensitive. In her younger years she was used as a ranch horse, and it is suspected she was not treated kindly. Miss River was taken out of that home only to find herself in a situation of neglect, large in part the owner did not have time for her and struggled finding placement for a 20-year-old untrained, scared mare. Serenity Stables took in Miss River to rehabilitate her, and what was found was MAGIC! Her ability to connect with people that have experienced trauma and or intense sadness is uncanny. We call her the “Wounded Healer.” Clients feel seen, supported, and validated when working with her.

                                                                                 Sullivan (Sulli)

Sulli is a very large 16-year-old Warmblood/Thoroughbred, standing at 17.2hh.  He is an Alpha male and very social. He likes to be the center of attention and has a lot of personality. Sulli was trained in dressage in his former years. Due to arthritis, he enjoys just being a therapy horse, and finds joy and purpose in his new career. His specialties are he helps people with self-confidence, mindfulness, and boundaries large in part because of his size, he commands your attention.

Sancho

Sancho is a 17 year old Appendix, which is a cross between a Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred. He has a large resume that includes packing elk out of the mountains, barrel racing, roping, herding cattle, show jumping, and a lesson horse. Now he gets to add therapy horse to his repertoire. Sancho stepped into this role with such willingness. His sweet nature makes him a client favorite, often giving out kisses.