I am a native of Philadelphia and have lived in that city my entire life. I absolutely love Philadelphia; the history, the music, the arts. There is such a rich culture in that City of Brotherly Love. This farm-life in Massachusetts is quite new to me.

I have a bachelors degree in graphic and multimedia design. Through my schooling and work experience I have gained a deep technical knowledge of print production and graphics applications. I am a lover of mixed media art, and I pick up a pencil and draw Fleckles (my dog) whenever I find the energy. I spent 4 years as a graphic designer, print production specialist, technical lead, and web developer for the art department at Safeguard in Lansdale, PA. Before moving to Massachusetts to work with Blue Star Equiculture I spent 6 years driving a horse and carriage in Philadelphia giving history tours. As a carriage driver I learned about how difficult it is to be one of these tour guides. They spend long hours outside in the elements, sometimes with only their partner, the horse. The horse is what kept me there and got me through the hardships. It was always all about the horse. Even when I worked full-time as a graphic designer, I still went back to the city streets on weeknights and weekends. I felt as though I owed my life to the horse – and I could tell stories of the many times where the horse saved mine. I felt that if I did not give that love to them, who would? The Philadelphia carriage horses taught me how to drive with city traffic in some pretty intense moments, and showed me that I would have to stay completely calm in those situations. The Philadelphia carriage horses taught me how to drive, tell stories, and fight off taxi cabs all at the same time, while still paying close enough attention to catch them in any trouble they were trying to get into. The Philadelphia carriage horses taught me that all animals are our brothers and sisters, and that we must treat them so, especially at this particular time in the history of this earth. I believe that we are all being called to do this.

Throughout my time as a student, carriage driver, and design professional, I was always looking for my greater purpose in this life. I prayed for years about this greater mission, because I knew there had to be something greater than graphic design. I truly love being creative and making pictures, but I also wanted to work with horses, then I wanted to teach kids how to love trees and the earth. I did not think it was possible to do all of these things, but I can at Blue Star Equiculture.

In June of 2009 I was working towards my masters degree in computer science and was totally stressed out! I paid a visit to my good friend Pam here at the farm and was presented with the opportunity to volunteer full-time with Blue Star. Within one month I left my career, my family and friends, and my apartment in the city for this life of service, because I felt this was a mission worth that sacrifice. I never thought my life could be like this. Every day my eyes well up with tears of joy caused by the many beautiful things that are happening here. The Blue Star horses and staff have changed the lives of so many people and I am proud and truly blessed to be a part of it. So I am here now, and I am doing what I love in the best way that I know how.