Piper Stories… Honoring her Legacy

*Client stories and details are vague for confidentiality and represent many times a group or theme of clients.*
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These horses here at Wholehearted Herd Counseling are more than just therapy tools. They are my co-workers, friends, and family. Piper was no exception to that. If I had an “employee of the month” award to give among the herd, she would have won many, many times. To honor her contributions here and her legacy of healing, I am sharing some of her stories. Storytelling is one way our loved ones live on, and we can pass her love on through time. ❤️

The story of how Piper came to me:
I first got Piper in May of 2021. I had posted to a Facebook group sharing my interest in getting a mare for my therapy herd. I needed a feminine presence for clients in which even a male horse was triggering.  A woman reached out to me and said that Piper was bought for her daughter as a rodeo prospect, but when Piper arrived to her, it was found that she had a massive scar tissue along her hamstring making her unable to run with a rider. That was a disappointment to the family and after keeping Piper a while and realizing she needed to find a place where she was needed, they thought of her when they saw my post and commented. When I went to see Piper she was very respectful, but distant. I decided to take her on with that little bit of info knowing I needed a female option for clients. As Piper arrived, I quickly was oriented to the ways of mares… I had no idea of the squeals they do when they communicate “get away” to the geldings! I was wondering what I got myself into. Lol. As the weeks progressed, she settled and Piper learned that I was not going to make her run on her sore leg or do anything she couldn’t do. At that point she just melted into the sweetest horse I’ve ever met. Sweet, sunshine girl Piper.

Piper’s client stories:
She loved to be groomed and doted on by clients. She didn’t make anyone “work” for the attention and love. I have other horse’s whose gifts are holding boundaries and making people shift their emotions to gain the trust. That just wasn’t Piper. She was predictable and steady even when Client’s were struggling.

Piper was my “go-to” horse for events and retreats. She was predictable, calm, and nurturing. From 4-H club members, to meditation nights, team building events, and my caregiver groups… she did it all so generously. One story that stands out to me was hosting an evening retreat post-COVID for frontline workers. I received a feedback saying how much Piper helped people let go and how relaxed and peaceful she felt afterward.

 Another story comes to mind about a client who pushed away the world because it was safer than getting hurt. Piper came up to her and stuck by her side despite the client’s attempts to ignore her and deny wanting the affection. Piper looked at her and seemingly said “I see the real you and you aren’t as scary as you pretend to be.” The child couldn’t help but smile and accept that there is someone in this world that does think they are worth being with.

Piper did powerful EMDR work carrying clients of all ages as they let go of years of trauma. So many stories come to mind. She walked clients through deep grief, bodies shut down from sexual abuse, abandonment and so much more.  Though she couldn’t ride a long time with her scar, she was always there for those who needed that level of connection and to be literally carried.

There are more stories, so many stories written on my client’s hearts and in mine as well. ❤️

Stories of lessons she taught me:
Piper has taught me so many things, but mainly to trust. Being a girl who is drawn to horses means I have learned the wonder and respect that these beings command over many years. Sometimes I have had too many of the times where I am taught respect, too many scary moments. That has made me a vigilant person at times. Vigilance keeps me safe and my clients safe. It’s not a bad thing to be aware. However as someone who has always been tasked with being aware of others' emotions and tending to them, it’s tiring. Piper allowed me to let go of the vigilance and trust that nothing bad was going to happen when I was with her. I had complete faith in her, so much peace. For that I have so much gratitude to her. I am so thankful God allowed her to come to me for the time I had with her. ❤️

As I shared the news of her passing with referral partners, social workers, and team members of my equine and therapy network- I constantly heard how Piper was a favorite.  She is going to be seriously, seriously missed in my therapy team. I thought I would have had 10 more years with her, but life just doesn’t always go according to plan. And that sucks..  
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Thank you all for the kind thoughts, words, and prayers. It is comforting to know you all care about me and know the gravity of Piper’s loss to my business and life. Let’s keep these stories and lessons and be as generous as she was with passing it on. ❤️