“Take some action every day to move toward manifesting.”

– Debbie

PROFILE DEBRA K. MIKELS, R.N., EGC

Debbie was born and raised in New York City. At a young age her family moved from the Bronx to what then was considered country living on Long Island. Each year she sought out and attended summer camps where horseback riding was the focus of said camp experience. Her parents were city lifestyle centered. There was the occasional stray cat and a dog for awhile, but never a horse. She began the journey wearing the traditional velvet riding helmet, jodhpur pants, tall leather boots and a riding crop. Then each year off to camp she went never wanting the experience to end.

As a young adult, her dreams revolved around riding in the mountains. She counted the days and made plans to that end. Her career took her to many places. Each location, she sought out riding stables, spending hours in the saddle. Her first profession was as a Registered Nurse in a neonatal ICU. Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles then to the University of Vermont serving the same population. Those experiences served as quite the exciting experience and learning grounds.

Deb took time off to raise a family and acquire her own horses. She then vacationed in the west at many guest ranches, again to ride, but finally being able to experience the mountains and the peace found when riding there. Years later, she found the chance to move to Montana where she could explore the endless trails and embrace the rugged Rocky Mountains. In doing so, she began thinking of how she might re-invent herself and embrace what she was passionate about.

Having ridden or hiked every trail in the region and documenting details of each, Deb became somewhat of an expert on the different aspects. Throughout this time, she was able to assist or interact on multiple local ranches, in dude operations and terrain expectations. The opportunity arose to purchase an existing Outfitting / Guide business, her heart skipped a beat and she was convinced she could do it . Dream Dance Outfitters was created in 2007. The Outfitting / Guide business was named after her small ranch. The name itself meaning, from the time we are born until we die, we dream. Often those dreams, result in a dance of sorts, making our hearts soar. Deb began guiding guests from all over the world by Hoof or Foot throughout the trails once traveled by Native peoples and the adventurer. Following a few years of guiding, she found those guests that she took on horseback opened up about life issues, relaxed and seemed somewhat changed after the days experience. Many guests returned in years to follow. Most remembered their horses name, some sent emails asking how the horse was doing and were they still a part of the herd. Having had the time with the horse they were peaceful, perhaps more content and insightful.

In 2008, Debbie as an Outfitter / Guide, was approached by friends that were spearheading an organization program for Operation Second Chance. The program involved bringing combat wounded veterans to Montana for a week as an all

expenses paid vacation retreat. The idea being that many of those selected were re-uniting with their family after lengthy stays in medical facilities. They were recovering from a malady of injuries from lost limbs, traumatic brain injury or P.T.S.D. . Deb’s task was to start off the weeks stay with a guided horseback trip into the mountains, provide a picnic lunch and return to the ranch where other volunteers had prepared a BBQ evening meal. The greater majority of the participants had never ridden or been near a horse in their life. When the day was to end everyone wanted to continue to bond with their horse for the day. They enjoyed brushing, feeding or petting the horse while having a conversation that the horse seemed to understand. It was quite obvious that the trail experience was exceptional and many photos were taken as memories. However, the bond or connection between rider and horse was special. A great many of the veterans served by the Operation Second Chance /Montana Retreats Program that Deb still is part of today are in periodic contact asking if the horse is still part of the herd and how it was doing. It was very apparent to Deb that the environment played a role, but moreover, it was the Horse that made a difference in the person.

Always interested in alternative medicine or naturopathic healing, Deb found herself enrolling in the McKay Method of Energy Healing . The program required three years of study and she graduated in 2016. During the same time period, Deb also began classes in the “Touched by A Horse Program”, a two year intensive

immersion program into Equine Gestalt Coaching. Further, over the course of several years, Deb has been exposed and participated in many Native American Spiritual practices, hints of that appear in her style equipment and conversation as well as class presentation.

The path of lifelong interest in horses, the training in horsemanship, the experience of the west and the acquiring of the Outfitting / Guide business culminated with the Equine Coaching and Energy Healing. Now she brings her love of horses and her fabulous herd together in a Beautiful way. One that will move the individual as well as create huge smiles .

Dream Dance Ranch and Hoof and Boots Encounters allows Deb to bring horses to the forefront as coaching partners to assist all people in their desire to seek their true passion, life purpose and discover the potential that lies within. Perhaps the individual will be able to rein in doubts that obstruct ones path or maybe get a leg up on the way to address the future.

“It is up to us to create, challenge our awareness and renew our perceptions in order to live in a constantly evolving state for the benefit of ourselves and others.”

– Debbie

The Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® was developed by Melisa Pearce, a core founder since 1989, of the horse-human healing movement. The experiential nature of the method involves the horse as an active partner with the coach in the client’s exploratory process. The integrative approach of the equine’s interaction, combined with positive coaching, somatic awareness guidance and Gestalt methodology, assists the client in examining their life and choices made with a focus on designing a positive future.

Touched by a Horse

EGCM (Equine Gestalt Coaching Method) Certified

The EGCMethod® is different than any other type of equine coaching you may have experienced or seen. With EGCM, the horse is an active partner in the coaching and healing process. Using their combined wisdom and intuition, the EGCM coach and their equine partner will guide you through your experience. Working together, they will help you isolate the unfinished business that is causing you pain or blocking your path to success and happiness. Then, through experiential interaction they will assist you in clearing the energy that has been holding you back or keeping you from your best self.

Visit www.touchedbyahorse.com for more info.

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