Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patricia Bryan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Patricia, appreciate you joining us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
It all started with my mom having a stroke and heart attack while my daughter looked on right before Christmas. Spending the next 10 months caring for her and four children at home was rough but we saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Mom loves horses so one day I got her in the truck and took her to a ranch. One of the horses put her head in the opened window and evoked moms first word in months “whoa”. After that incident I felt a calling to start an equine therapy program. I knew little about horses but God asked me if trusted Him and I said yes! My children and I started the program with two horses and a trainer and my experience as a therapist and teacher. Here we are 17 years later and see 4000 people a year with special needs. And guess what. My mom just turned 84! She speaks a little and has an aid to care for her but I think she gets better every time I see her. What blessings come out of tragedy.!!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Walk on Water is an Equine Assisted Therapy and horseback riding program We have Path Certified trainers and therapists and volunteers that work with over 40 students per week along with their families. The program is supported mostly by insurance and scholarships and tuition based for typical riders. We also served juvenile justice teens and adults with Communty service hours and teaching employable skills. Our life recaptured group serves women who have been in human trafficking meeting once a week on the ranch.
We have a solid volunteer program with training available and an internship program that reached around the country and overseas.
Our ranch includes a pavilion and offices, a ten stall barn with hay shed, a tool barn, the only covered arena in Brevard County and a respite house.
We have four fundraising events each year.
Our summer camp is the first week in June where 25 children learn to ride, do Bible study, have art and drama classes and perform a show on Friday night. Registration starts in January.
Our Fall festival is the first Saturday in October. We have food, games, pony rides, hay rides and a silent auction. Lots of opportunities to tour the ranch. Process support the Tyler Chance Scholarship Fund for Autism
Our western wine hour is in March which is a wine and cheese event that features one of our riders . This wine tasting is centered around meeting our horses and has live music.
The first weekend in November is painting with Patti! A painting class and a glass of wine and hanging out with horses is a fun night for all. Contact us they our website for all these events Walkonwaterhorses.com
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Buisness is tough especially starting from scratch and knowing very little about your field. You make a lot of mistakes but thank God you learn from them. The most helpful thing I learned is to stay close to God. Pray through everything and with everyone. Encourage others with joy you have from Him. Be the light even in the darkness when things are tough. Learn to forgive others and work t through things with conflict resolution. Help others see the positive side of things and when it’s time to let go of someone be kind.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I wanted to be a dancer ever since I was little. My grandparents were dancers in vaudeville and I have their pictures and trunk when the dances with Mae West. I had that opportunity to do so when co leading a team called project Restoration. We traveled all over performing biblical stories. We went to Israel 3x and took our children to dance as well. It was at a dance conference that I felt God calling me out of dance and into equine therapy. I was actually teaching at the time and my job ended suddenly and I knew God was serious about setting me on this path. I have had all the professions that I wanted in life. I have had a blessed life because of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: Walkonwaterhorses.com
- Facebook: Walkonwater Ministries