Motive

My motive

I believe strongly that understanding motive behind all decisions is crucial.  It drives our understanding of self and others, beyond the behaviors.  Motive determines if one stays the course or needs to make a shift.  Considering the motive behind WhistleStop Acres is no different and is the driving force in my daily yes, even when things are hard, such as storm damage, excessive heat, and tired bodies. Sharing motive with you,  I hope will foster an ongoing connection that this ranch isn’t just another ranch.

I wake up every day facing the day with a choice.  I can complain about all there is to do… again.. or I can celebrate what it is I am doing.  Motive is the deciding factor.  WhistleStop is built from a motive of belief that connecting people back to nature and animals fosters a unique opportunity for healing, health, and hope for the person and the world we live in.  I have such a deep love for both and have witnessed over and over the way one can heal the other.

But my motive is very personal when it comes to what our main hope is for the ranch on a daily basis.  I have witnessed the way nature and animals can turn very difficult situations into opportunities of hope and it is my driving force behind all the chores, the time spent, the preparations made, and the opportunities offered.  My motive is that what I am committed to doing works.  It’s that simple.  It really works.

What is my proof?  I won’t get into all the research out there.  I am going to tell you my experience and my own evidence-based outcomes that I have lived out.  To me, sharing what I have witnessed is far more of a motive for my purpose than the research, which by the way backs it as well!. My motive is my son, my students, and my clients. 

I grew up in a family that loves animals.  I have had dogs my whole life and our family always viewed them as part of our family, not just pets.  We loved them big and experienced their great big love and were better for it.  We still are!  However, when my son became terminally ill, it became so much more apparent the impact those sweet animals played.  At the time of his illness, we had horses and larger dogs.  Our little Tuffy loved them all.  However, once he was sick he wasn’t able to safely ride the horse, nor could he really get down and play with the dogs.  It was a tremendous sadness for him. 

So… we bought him a donkey named Hotie (long o sound) and a miniature Schnauzer we named Hope.  Hotie was a former champion trail and show donkey, but was living out his older years.  He was calm and tolerant, and he just knew our son needed extra careful love.  He would do whatever was asked of him with Tuffy on his back!   We didn’t have a lot of time outside of the hospital during his terminal illness, but Hotie was always ready for him when we were there.  Tuffy gave him purpose, and he gave Tuffy joy, 

Hope came as a puppy and instantly knew her role.  She chose Tuffy and loved him in a way I cannot put into words.  She curled up with him and became our alarm on his medical crisis.  She was allowed into his ICU room as his comfort support.  When he was in crisis, I watched Hope closer than the monitors because she sat guard over him and would not rest until he was stable.  When I saw her curl up, I knew he was out of immediate danger.  She loved him and oh how he loved her.  They gave each other comfort and joy when so much of that was removed because of his illness and suffering.  It was magical to observe. 

I also have a background in working with differently abled students, some of which were very severely impacted and had trouble connecting socially and emotionally.  I worked to get a therapy dog in my classroom before it was as acceptable as it is today; and I watched kids behaviors change, temperaments relax, and social connections begin to forge.  My two dogs, Darby and Charlie, changed lives in my classroom, but also across my schools.  Teachers and other students began to seek them out on their hard days, and on their good days too.  The impact of the presence and connection to those dogs was palpable.

As a school counselor, I saw the impacts of even my bearded dragon.  The way the struggling emotions of students would calm as they held that lizard was fascinating.  It created space for them to express emotions, take a pause to just breathe through the hard, and allow their emotional brain to calm and reconnect to thinking and strategy approaches. 

So, as a private therapist, I know that benefits that animals bring to already impactful strategies, approaches, and practices.  It eases the process, calms the soul, and opens doors for healing in a whole new way.  It allows people to embrace the journey towards wellness. The animals find purpose in their lives as they give purpose back to others.  It is a beautiful exchange.

That is my motive.

So, if you wonder why we exist the way we do… it’s because we believe in this more than words can say.  We have witnessed the benefits, we have felt the impacts personally, and honestly, we live out the therapeutic benefits in our everyday lives, ourselves. Animal Assisted Psychotherapy, as well as just opportunities to be in nature, creates a pathway towards wholeness.  We are motivated by it and we are hear for it!

Sincerely,

Robin