Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Meyer Stabler.
Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have a master’s degree and California Pupil and Personnel Services credential in school psychology and am a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) whose guiding purpose is to empower, uplift, and amplify autistic voices while advocating for neurodiversity-affirming care.
I have worked with neurodiverse children and their families for over 17 years in both school and home settings and am passionate about meeting all children where they are at in their own growth in order to help them learn the tools to live their most authentic and fulfilled lives. I am the proud mother of four neurodivergent daughters and am inspired every day by their beautiful and unique way of learning and viewing the world. Through them, I have seen the immense impact that experiential learning facilitated by animals can have. It is an honor to children to find hope and trust in their abilities in reading, writing, math, and social-emotional skills.
In addition to my knowledge and experience as an educator, I am called to offer healing and wellness experiences through sound healing alongside our beautiful equine partners. I found the healing power of sound while struggling with an unrelenting chronic pain condition that caused me to fall into a deep depression. After exhausting everything the western medical system had to offer without obtaining any relief, I attended a sound bath with the goal of just doing something to help the relieve the stress of being in constant pain, and I found that for the first time in over a year, I had an entire hour where I was pain-free. I soon found that during every sound bath I attended, my pain went away for the hour I was held by sound.
The continual reset of my nervous system over time eventually led to longer and longer stretches of being pain-free, until eventually the pain never returned, and I have been pain-free since.
In addition to the healing power of sound, I have found immense healing and happiness through spiritual connection with horses. I am dedicated to helping animals and humans form deeper connections and achieve greater understanding through the power of healing practices and nature. I am committed to helping people unlock the full potential of their relationship with horses and other animals and to harnessing the transformative energy of horses to promote healing, growth, and wellbeing.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to starting my own equine-assisted learning business has consisted of a LOT of transformation, but I have always trusted in my intuition to do the next right thing. I have followed a natural evolution of my clinical skills, interests, and passions, and I thrive when I am learning and growing. I’ve found that leaning into obstacles and challenges yields the most fulfilling results. I live by the quote, “No mud, no lotus,” and I always find the beautiful thing that arises out of difficult moments. Of course, the horses are always reminding me to live in the present moment!
We’ve been impressed with Harmony and Horses, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Harmony and Horses is an equine-assisted learning program for children and adults. My primary focus is on educational programs for kids, with horses helping me as teachers and facilitators! I am a former school psychologist and current Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and combining learning with animals is a truly profound experience! I offer programs such as Ponies and Paperbacks, where children can practice reading to horses and other farm animals; Horsing Around programs to teach children social-emotional skills such as problem-solving, self-regulation, and consent; and Horse Powered Reading® and Math, a structured multi-session experiential learning program to support learning reading and math skills- with horses of course!
My wellness offerings for adults consist of sound healing with horses. Attendees have the opportunity to sit directly in the round pen with the horses and find deep healing with sound bowls and other instruments. The energetic connection with the horses is incredibly unique. I also offer equine-assisted learning programs for adults that involves interactions with horses to promote personal growth, emotional healing, and skill development. This form of experiential learning utilizes the unique characteristics of horses as sensitive and intuitive animals to help individuals gain valuable insights and enhance their self-awareness, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, emotional regulation, and more.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding a mentor and networking really involves putting yourself out there and participating in as many experiences as possible! All of the mentors that I’ve found within the healing, wellness, and equine worlds have led classes or programs that I’ve participated in. I think mentors can really see when you are enthusiastic and willing to learn, and the best way to grow is to learn as many things from as many people as possible! Networking naturally falls into place when genuine passion for what you are doing and connection shine through.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.harmonyandhorses.com
- Instagram: @harmony.and.horses
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/harmonyandhorsessd
