FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT AT SANCTUARY STABLES

Certified (EAP) (EAL) Expressive Arts Facilitator. Nikki Hock is a Lifetime Equestrian and Horse Lover, and a Certified Equine Specialist in EAP/EAL. Nikki is also a Graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy -Integrated Arts Program- in New York City, and an Equine Expressive Arts Facilitator. She is passionate about sharing her Love and knowledge of horses with others. She loves being able to facilitate the magical and healing experience to the children and adults who come to work with her horses and ponies, and other rescue animals. Nikki began her “horse career“ as a child, successfully competing in Western Pleasure, Hunt Seat Equitation, Jumping, Dressage, and Barrel Racing. She is currently an Endurance Rider, competing in 25 to 50 mile rides on her Half-Arabian Joey. She has studied Classical Dressage and Natural and Native American Horsemanship, and has taught Foundations in Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation and Centered Riding for many years in Southern California and New York. She has been actively involved with horse and animal rescue for many years before creating Sanctuary Stables, which she knows is her Spiritual Calling. She serves as part of the Equestrian Enlightenment Alliance, to help both Horses and Humanity.

SANCTUARY STABLES LEAD THERAPIST

Dr. Angelica Guajardo, MA, FT, LMFT is a Licensed Psychotherapist with a PhD in Psychology and an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Certified Thanatologist holding a Fellow in Thanatology awarded by the Association for Death Education and Counseling. She specializes in Death, Dying and Bereavement. She is currently in private practice in Palm Springs, California where she provides therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups. She facilitates grief groups. As a psychotherapist and Equine Assisted Psycho-Therapist, she treats: Trauma and Abuse Relationship conflict Depression Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Grief and Loss And more. Angelica is a Field Advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Lead Clinician for Casting For Recovery CFR. She will conduct: Group Therapy, Grief Healing, Work Day Retreats, Family Retreats, Corporate Retreats, Team Building

RANCH MANGER

J.R. Hull has been a Horseman for over 40 yrs and founded “Cowboy Strong” an horsemanship program for our veterans. He had served as Head Wrangler and Assistant Ranch Director for over 5 years at The Manzanita Ranch where he provided support for their veteran’s program for our men and woman who served our country. In his teens he was influenced by great horseman Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance and has been called the “Next Horse Whisper” by his mentors. J.R. is also an actor who has performed in the outdoor play “Ramona” for 7 yers and appeared in the T.V. pilot “Tuckers War” showing off his skills as a horseman and performer. J.R. brings a unique approach to our Equine Assisted Therapy program by teaching Natural Horsemanship to veterans who suffer from the stresses of military service. He enjoys watching the interaction and transformation of service member when interacting with their equine partner. He believes that the horse provides the most honest assessment of our emotional and mental state and helps us heal any stresses that holds us back from enjoying life.

YOGA INSTRUTOR 

Heather Graff is a yoga teacher with over a decade of experience, who started her yoga journey back in 1998 at North County Yoga Center. At that time, she was seeking relief from postpartum depression. She initially turned to yoga to heal and improve her mental well-being.

In 2007, Heather sustained an injury that brought her back to her yoga mat. She sought private instruction to rehabilitate her body through yoga, and this experience deepened her passion for the practice. In 2011, Heather completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, which allowed her to share her love and knowledge of yoga with others.

Heather’s background in dance and performing arts has influenced her teaching style, which she describes as unique and eclectic. She brings her artistic sensibilities to her yoga classes, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for her students.

Heather’s dedication to yoga led her to complete additional training in specialized areas. In 2012, she completed Yoga for Trauma Training with Hala Khouri. This training equipped her with the tools to teach yoga in a trauma-informed manner, helping people heal from emotional and physical wounds.

Heather is also a 2014 graduate of the Prison Yoga Project Training with James Fox. This training focuses on teaching yoga to incarcerated individuals, helping them find inner peace and a sense of purpose.

In addition to her yoga practice, Heather is a dive master, music lover, and motion picture trained make-up artist. Her diverse range of interests and talents inform her teaching style and allow her to connect with students on many levels.