Meet Laurie Brander | Equine Assisted Coach, Wellness Advocate and Paralegal

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laurie Brander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laurie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
One word. Freedom. I was always an independent thinker. I remember my mom telling me that my first words were “I’ll do it myself!” I learned in school and while working for years in law firms that I simply didn’t like to be told what to do and when to do it.

What should our readers know about your business?
I facilitate an experiential learning program in Camp Verde, Arizona, called Epona Experience (www.eponaexperience.com). We work with families, youth, businesses, women, men…. just about anyone! I’m pretty proud to be where I am because the road was so very rocky. I first learned about the concept of “Equine Assisted Learning” in about 2007, but it was a really new thing. There weren’t a lot of educational programs available, and some of them were way out of my budget. I took my first certification course in 2008 and it was the most confusing experience! I left there wondering what I had learned, and what I could offer. After that setback, we had the economic crash situation. I floundered about when the economy picked up. I started (and didn’t finish) another certification pathway which was even worse than the first program. It was not until 2016 that I became certified by Equine Connection Academy of Equine Assisted Learning in Canada. I finally found a learning experience I can stand behind, and I haven’t turned back.

In the past couple of years studies have been released, most notably from Heartmath Institute, showing the value of human and horse experiences. The article, Measuring the Emotional Bond between Horses and Humans (on my website) summarizes the Heartmath studies:

Recent studies conducted by the Institute of HeartMath provide a clue to explain the
bidirectional “healing” that happens when we are near horses. According to
researchers, the heart has a larger electromagnetic field and higher level of
intelligence than the brain: A magnetometer can measure the heart’s energy field
radiating up to 8 to 10 feet around the human body. While this is certainly significant
it is perhaps more impressive that the electromagnetic field projected by the horse’s
heart is five times larger than the human one (imagine a sphere-shaped field that
completely surrounds you). The horse’s electromagnetic field is also stronger than
ours and can actually directly influence our own heart rhythm!

Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a “coherent” heart
rhythm (heart rate pattern) which explains why we may “feel better” when we are
around them. . . .studies have found that a coherent heart pattern or HRV is a robust
measure of well-being and consistent with emotional states of calm and joy–that is,
we exhibit such patterns when we feel positive emotions

(https://www.eponaexperience.com/_files/ugd/8e263f_060a8b085a22439ba211f93b5577959d.pdf)

Recently, a local public school was able to secure a grant for our programs and we are in discussions with a non-profit that helps post-trauma victims, as well as a ranch for adults with developmental disabilities. I think as more people are profoundly helped at an energetic level by horses; our services will become sought after like never before. It’s really exciting to be here after the past decade.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When people visit the area, I tailor the experience to the guest. Some guests may want to kayak the Verde River and hike the best trails in Sedona. Other guests want to experience the shops and restaurants of Old Town Cottonwood and the history of Jerome, Arizona. My town, Camp Verde, is in the middle of natural wonders and activities that could keep someone busy for days and weeks!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I must acknowledge all of the amazing horses AND horsewomen (and men) I have crossed paths with over the last several decades. Horses have fundamentally changed me as a human being. Having horses is not something you can do in your life alone. These gigantic and magical creatures are surprisingly delicate and really require expert care. Having horses in your life requires that you seek leadership; and, at other times requires you to be a leader. You never reach the ceiling. You never know everything.

Website: www.eponaexperience.com

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