Meet the Staff
Equine therapy for anxiety and depression
Healing with horses
Equine therapy with a life coach is a simple way to get results fast.
When I stand beside my horse with a brush in my hand I can relax and focus on me. What I mean by that is I have the time to focus my breath and feel where I am holding stress in my body. Both of those self care items are strategic in healing from trauma. I teach those as well as other techniques to help you “get in touch” with yourself again.
I feel comfort and safety as my horse leans into me, almost as if to say, I got you; let’s walk through this together. He doesn’t even have to speak a word.
Who We Are
Jennifer Bandy – CTRC, ESMHL, NLC-EP
Hi, I’m Jennifer, Walk With Me Healing Steps founder. My passion has been with rescuing horses that are no longer wanted. Sometimes they had dangerous behaviors like kicking, biting, bucking, or they were submissive and had just given up. Understanding why they had these “bad” behavior was like putting a puzzle together one piece at a time. As we built trust with each other they realized they were safe and their behaviors changed. I saw this also happen with people, myself included. I started to trust myself, building a solid and confident self-image. I want to share this discovery with everyone. How my horses, along with God, have given me the strength and desire to make the changes I needed to succeed in my trauma recovery and as a TRC. I have seen lives completely transformed through TRC and Equine therapy. I never stop feeling amazed by all that can be accomplished through this work.
Julie Dollar – MA, LCMHC
Hi, My name is Julie and I’m a Licensed Mental Health clinician. I specialize in dual diagnosis which means I can help support your recovery from substance use, trauma, and any mental health diagnosis. I came on board at Walk With Me Healing Steps because I have a passion and a heart for healing. I wanted to use my skills to reach out and have a direct effect on the community. I began my career in mental health working with a residential living facility and recovery support for women with Substance
abuse and mental health issues. I worked as a Team Lead for the Community Support team and moved into private practice before beginning my work with Vaya. I have earned a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and my Master of Arts in Science for Counseling. I am Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor.
I enjoy spending time with my twelve year old son, attending Church, and the outdoors. I am active in the Substance Abuse Community and hopes to bring awareness to the Opioid Abuse Crisis in North Carolina.
Jason Keating – CTRC, ESMHL, OBH Director
Growing up in Florida, Jason and his family had dogs, geese, a cow, chickens, a horse and a pony. It was unknown at the time but that lifestyle would be one that he ultimately would try and return to. After high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and spent time in the infantry where be served as a rifleman, assistant team leader and a team leader. Jason went on to become a Reconnaissance Marine where he finished is time on active duty as a Team Leader with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. During his time serving our country, Jason was fortunate to travel the world having been to several U.S. states, Japan, Australia, South East Asia and Greece. His deployments range from peace time and humanitarian deployments to Rescue Missions and combat operations in Afghanistan. After leaving the military with an honorable discharge, Jason returned home to Florida where he attended Palm Beach State College in the Entrepreneurship and Business program. He help create a Veterans Resource Center and acted as the President of Student Veterans. Through his own journey utilizing Equine Therapy, he discovered the healing aspects of partnering with horses. He believes that horses show us only the truth and help us learn better communication and relationship skills.
Liz Wise – Specialist in Early Childhood Development, Program Liason
Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree in Sociology in 2011. She has been an Infant Toddler Family Specialist with Little Angels Therapy since 2012. She has accumulated over 100 additional hours in training to support children and family. Training includes: Darkness to Light, Level 3 Director Certification, Registered Behavior Technician Training, Autism Modules, and Trauma Focused Care. She completed Partners in Policymaking where she presented a mock testimony to Legislation. In 2014 she traveled to Kentucky where she attended the DASY data institute and presented at the Division of Education – Special Education Division (DEC-SPED) International Conference. She served as the Parent Co-Chair for the Local Interagency Coordinating Council for 10 years.
Over the past decade she has created strong community connections.. Over the past few years she has been volunteering at the farm and spearheaded the 1st Annual Experience Christmas event. Since the moment she started planning for Experience Christmas she has not looked back. Elizabeth will be completing her double major in Psychology and pursuing her Masters in 2023. She is currently getting hands-on training and experience as an Equine Specialist to support Jen in documenting and supporting the curriculum for The Dirt Road Experience. It is her desire to support and grow each program at Walk With Me Healing Steps.
Lindi Cline – ESMHL, Beautiful Balance Director
Hello my name is Lindi Elizabeth Cline I live with my husband in Granite Falls NC. We’ve been married 3 years and have 3 daughters and 1 son. We have 3 dogs and 1 cat & 1 horse. In my spare time, I love volunteering and assisting with Trauma Recovery Coaching group sessions that partner with a therapy horse. I am currently working toward my certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and peer support. I’m doing this in memory of my Mother who dealt with a mental health issue, Bi-Polar Depression. I am active in my church at Waterlife in Lenoir NC.
My favorite quote is…
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Maya Angelou
Mykela Lofendo – ESMHL
Hello, my name is Mykela Lofendo and I am an Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning here at Walk With Me. My husband and I have lived in Vale, North Carolina since 2021 with our two dogs, Ringo and Zoey, and our horse, Chief. Before setting our roots, we lived in many states and moved around quite a bit, learning a bit more about ourselves and values each time. I grew up in Illinois riding, showing, and training horses almost as long as I have been able to walk. Working with horses has always been a passion of mine and through this passion I have experienced how a relationship with them can benefit all aspects of my own life, as well as my relationship with others. I joined the Marine Corps in 2017 where I was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. When I was there I learned more about myself and my desire in life to help others. Through working at Walk With Me, I have been able to combine these two passions. Due to my background with the military, I specialize in our veteran program Operation Battle Horse.
Stephanie Gill – Volunteer Coordinator
Paul Kern – IT Specialist