Our Featured Staff Member of the Month is Juliana Boyd
The best part of Lancers, according to Juliana, “is how much the horses are loved by so many people from so many angles - from the ground, from the paddock, from the hospital window, from the saddle, from driving by, from their families.”
It is fair to say that all of our programs at Lancers involve a lot of heart. Not only do the horses share theirs with those around them but it is because of compassionate and dedicated people like Juliana that people can feel the power of horses in their hearts. The passion that she has for our programs really shines through and is inspiring to others.
In just two years, Juliana has forged an important path at Lancers as our Therapeutic Riding instructor and now, as one of our Equine Supported Wellness facilitators. In August 2020, Juliana contacted Angie because she wanted to volunteer with an organization that focuses on not only its riders and teaching but with an emphasis on good horsemanship and horse care. Juliana noted that when she competed in the mid-80s, Lancers were the ones you wanted to beat, adding “it has been a serious competitor all my years and has a good reputation because of it”.
Juliana became involved with the Therapeutic Riding program and under Angie’s mentorship, Juliana earned her NCCP instructor certification in November 2020. She began teaching one-on-on Lancers in the therapeutic program the following January and now she teaches all 32 Lancer riders in our spring Therapeutic riding sessions! In August 2021, she added Equine-Assisted Learning certification to her roster.
The genesis of Juliana’s involvement with Lancers and therapeutic riding, however, started decades earlier. As a youth, Juliana was in the Kings County Pony Club in PEI and tested to C2. It was when she went to university that she was introduced to Sally Murphy in 1989. Juliana volunteered with Halifax Area Leisure Therapeutic Riding (HALTR) run by Sally. The powerful experience stayed with Juliana but she moved away from horses for 25 years when she was a nurse and had a family. Riding re-entered her life in 2013 when she purchased an OTTB. She now owns two horses and she loves ground training and working with the mind of the horse.
We greatly admire that Juliana appreciates the horses for more than just their physical capabilities. Her approach makes her a wonderful instructor and facilitator. It is little wonder then that Rainey, Ben, and Scooby are her favourite Lancer horses as she noted that “they are her sidekicks and solid citizens in the Therapeutic Ride”.
We are incredibly thankful that Juliana chooses to share her talents with us. When asked how Lancers compares to other places she has worked, she told us that she values that Lancers is “very professional, inclusive, and runs quality programming with the wellbeing of the horses at the forefront”. She added that her rehabilitation nursing background helps her and that ultimately, she has always been attracted to horses and being around them is her happy place! The best part of Lancers, according to Juliana, is how much the horses are loved by so many people from so many angles - from the ground, from the paddock, from the hospital window, from the saddle, from driving by, from their families.
Juliana, you are so much an important part of facilitating how people interact with the horses in meaningful ways. We appreciate that you are a lifelong learner and it has already been incredible to have you on our team as you continuously step up to each challenge and new experience. We have adored growing with you and look forward to more exciting adventures in the future! Thank you, Juliana.
