FOUNDER & PRESIDENT AT SANCTUARY STABLES

Nikki Hock is a lifetime equestrian, horse lover, a certified equine specialist in EAL, and Expressive Arts facilitator. She is a Graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy -Integrated Arts Program- in New York City. 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 children and adults who come to work with her horses, 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, 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 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. 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 performed in the outdoor play “Ramona” for 7 years 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 Learning program by teaching Natural Horsemanship to veterans who suffer from the stresses of their service. He enjoys watching the interaction and transformation of service members when interacting with their equine partner. He believes the horse provides the most honest assessment of our emotional and mental state and helps us heal any stresses that hold us back from enjoying life.