Hi friends –
I recently had the honor of joining Dr. Nancy O’Reilly on her podcast Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy. I first came to know this wonderful woman as a fellow Arabian Horse owner and breeder. Over time she and her foundation, Women Connect4Good have become supporters of the young women and mission of Taking the Reins.
During the conversation with Dr. Nancy she asked me what made me into the person I am today. As I reflected on my childhood, several experiences stand out as being fundamental to my development. Many influenced the career path I chose, ultimately leading me to spend more than 10 years as the Executive Director of Taking the Reins.
Like many of the girls who come to TTR, I had some profound losses and hardships in my early life. Luckily, I also had love from meaningful adults in my life, along with the comfort and healing that comes from nature and animals. Growing up on a ranch in Colorado we raised and rode horses. I attribute my resilience, my self-confidence and my work ethic to the horses in my life. They were my best friends, my teachers, and my partners on miles and miles of wilderness adventure. They were my life … and in many ways they still are.
Today at Taking the Reins my life has come full circle. Girls come to TTR with life stories, losses and hardships that are often hard to imagine. They are little girls and young women in need of comfort, in need of resilience, and in need of the restorative experience that nature and animals provide. Our horses work their magic by becoming best friends, teaching confidence, and developing teamwork and leadership qualities in the more 5,000 girls who have walked through our barn over the last 25 years. I’m happy to witness the magic and continue an urban wilderness adventure with my beloved horses.
I can personally testify to the impact your support has on these girls lives. I would not be the person I am today without the support of good people along the way.
All my best,
Jane Haven
Executive Director
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