Today we’d like to introduce you to Tess Olnick.
Tess, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve loved horses since before I can remember. Something about their beauty, power and overall nature drew me to them, as it does for a lot of people in a sort of unexplainable way. When I was in middle school, I was lucky enough to get to take riding lessons every once in awhile at a stable out in Westlake Village, but the lessons were not cheap, and the experience just wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to learn how to put my own saddle on, I wanted to walk my own horseback to its stall when I was done, and I wanted to be around horses as much as I possibly could, in an affordable way. When I was 14, my mom found the website for a therapeutic riding center called Ride On that serves kids and adults with disabilities, and we found out they took volunteers as young as 12 to work with their horses and other aspects of the program– I was ecstatic. My very first day, I got to handle several horses and learn all about grooming and tacking, amidst a community of wonderful people. I was hooked. I started volunteering weekly (getting horses ready for lessons, leading and sidewalking with riders) and even taking riding lessons which I’d earned with my volunteer hours. It wasn’t long before I realized how meaningful and rewarding it was to work with the riders themselves, in additional to the horses.
When I was 18, I got certified as an Instructor through PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International and began teaching riders of varying ability levels. Since then (I’m now 26), I’ve taken on the roles of being a full-time Instructor, the Volunteer Coordinator, and the Property Caretaker at Ride On’s Chatsworth ranch. It’s consumed my life in the best way possible, and every day I’m amazed that I get to work in such a uniquely incredible industry. Several years ago, I also began taking photos of my coworkers and our riders at horse shows, and through that I found another talent/hobby I loved, which is photography. So in addition to my job at Ride On, I also do photography (under Tess Michelle Photography) specializing in horses/equestrian sport, as well as portraits and pet photography.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Overall it’s been a smooth road getting to where I’m at today, which I’m of course very thankful for. Being surrounded by a great support system of friends and mentors (all of which I’ve met through Ride On) and staying dedicated over the years have really gotten me to where I’m at today. The process of getting certified as a therapeutic riding Instructor had its challenges, but it taught me a lot and I felt was an important milestone in my career. The next obstacle is going to be pursuing my Advanced Level Certification!
Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship teaches adaptive horseback riding to children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and provides physical and occupational therapy which specializes in using the movement of the horse to improve specific medical conditions. They also offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and services for veterans. The organization was founded in 1994 and has since given over 117,000 safe, effective and individualized lessons and therapy treatments and currently serves 225 individuals each week. Ride On is also the only nationally accredited program offering Physical and Occupational Therapy in the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. They operate in two locations– Chatsworth and Thousand Oaks. I myself am a full-time Instructor there, and teach lessons to riders of varying ability levels throughout the week. I think the main thing that sets us apart from other therapy services is how unique of a therapy it is, and what a unique setting it’s in.
Often, people who come out to Ride On to receive therapy don’t even feel like they’re getting therapy because it’s such a cool, fun setting and they’re working with big, beautiful animals. So, for that reason, a lot of kids who don’t necessarily do well with a clinic-like therapy setting might actually really excel with something like this. The other big aspect of the program is that horses are nonjudgemental and take you for who you are in the moment and for that reason a lot of our riders who may not have strong relationships with other people really connect with the horses and are able to talk to them, develop relationships with them, and even develop stronger relationships with other people who are sharing those same moments.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success goes hand-in-hand with happiness. I’m lucky enough to have a career in an industry that makes me happy, and that for me defines success.
Contact Info:
- Address: Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship
10860 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Chatsworth, CA 91311 and
401 Ronel Court, Newbury Park, CA 91320 - Website: www.rideon.org www.tessmichellephotography.com
- Phone: (818) 700-2971
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rideontherapy and @tessmichellephotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/rideontherapy and facebook.com/tessmichellephotography
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