We recently connected with Jessica Oliver and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
While going through school at Saint Leo University as an undergrad, I had no clue what I wanted to do with a degree in social work. At the tail end of my degree, in my very last semester, I lost the single most important person in my life. He was in the Army, an encourager for any of his soldiers who needed it, just a strong, incredible human. He was my hero, and I learned then that we don’t always know the struggles someone else is battling. Asking for help, receiving support, and being vulnerable is not encouraged in the military. They have a job, and they do it regardless of what is happening in their life or their head. That was my defining moment. I received that gut-wrenching call that he was gone, not sure how to function or even really what I was doing I still went to my second to last class an hour later. After having a complete mental breakdown in front of my whole class, I’ll never forget the compassion I received from my professor, Dr. Jose Olmo. He provided me with options that I could take a break from the program and take care of myself or choose to finish and do something to make it have meaning. I stayed in school and went on to complete the advanced standing MSW clinical program at the University of Southern California to specialize in Military Trauma.
That day created my passion and mission to be a light for those who need it. Provide understanding and healing to veterans and first responders and save a life. Even if I only ever save one life by listening and being there, I have fulfilled my purpose.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Peaceful Pastures Ranch (PPR) was a dream that came to fruition during a pandemic. While working in a corporate therapy setting, providing trauma therapy, I was sent to work from home through telehealth. Talk therapy never felt quite right for me, and I was always questioning whether or not I was providing care in the most authentic way for me. PPR started as a horse rescue, taking in abused, neglected, and unwanted horses. Most of which had significant trauma. Horses were very healing for me and all of the trauma I had been through in my life. I quickly recognized that through building their trust and healing from their wounds, we were healing together. The only place I ever felt truly whole was in the pasture, accepted as I was by these magnificent creatures. I recognized the walls horses broke down for me, teaching me how to listen, connect, and be present. This started my search for a “better way” to help veterans and heal trauma. I discovered The HERD Institute with Dr. Veronica Lac. She was teaching Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy in a way that honored horses as the sentient beings they are and the powers they have for healing. Through learning this incredible way of providing psychotherapy, PPR grew to incorporate therapy services. Today, PPR provides healing workshops, retreats, and individual therapy sessions. We strive to offer a place of peace where participants can feel grounded and learn how to reconnect with others and, most importantly, themselves. Horses bring a unique approach to emotional and relationship healing. By observing and interacting with horses, participants engage in activities that teach mindfulness, regulation, and healthy communication.
What sets us apart is our mission for accessibility. We believe that no veteran or first responder should miss out on access to this incredible healing for fear of losing their job because of seeking support. Through our yearly Horses Healing Heroes retreat, we connect with our real-life heroes, discovering the necessary services for them and adjusting to put those services into effect.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Accessibility doesn’t mean your time is not valuable. Starting, I was very caught up in never saying no. I quickly learned a business is still a business, and there has to be funding coming in. Learning your boundaries and having a clear-cut plan for those “free for veteran” services being covered through grants and alternative avenues of funding is important for sustainability.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
I’ve thought about this question a lot recently. I absolutely wouldn’t. I love everything about being a trauma therapist. It takes significant vulnerability to trust a single person with all of your darkest thoughts and experiences. But there is something beautiful about putting that trust out there and saying, “I need help; will you walk with me.” I feel honored to be someone that others choose to walk with them on their journeys to finding themselves and improving their lives. My favorite part is having the ability to mentor and teach others from everything that I have learned along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.peacefulpasturesranch.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacefulpasturesranch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacefulpasturesranch
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaoliverlcsw/
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@peacefulpasturesranch
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlNG6iA9hrI
Image Credits
Dolphin Soul Creations