In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment. They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive reinforcement training, and the deep bond between horses and young people. Jessica shares her journey, the challenges of running a nonprofit, and the importance of trust, patience, and second chances—both for horses and humans.
Key Takeaways:
* Horses provide healing and companionship, especially for those struggling socially.
* Positive reinforcement builds trust between horses and people.
* Understanding horse behavior and emotions improves training.
* Working with rescue horses teaches patience, resilience, and empathy.
* Jessica’s nonprofit empowers youth through equine therapy.
* Every horse—and every person—deserves a second chance.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation on love, trust, and the transformative power of horses!