Liz first became aware of the need for an equine learning facility in the area during the COVID 19 pandemic. At that time, she sought a way to help children struggling with isolation by allowing them to spend time outdoors with horses. As the program grew, she realized there was a real need for equine learning services in the Pee Dee area for both children and adults. 

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As Director and Co-founder of Stirrup Hope, Liz facilitates sessions with the participant and horse and encourages growth, confidence, and trust. 

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Liz earned a Bachelor of Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina-Coastal and a Master of Learning Disabilities from Francis Marion University. She taught in the public school system for 12 years where she saw firsthand how successful children were when they could learn to channel emotional trauma and self-regulate their energy. This, she says, is why equine-assisted learning is so successful, as it teaches these very skills through the mutual building of trust between horse and human. 

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In May 2022, Liz completed Wild Hearts Apprenticeship training, TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Caregiver Training and is pursuing Natural Lifemanship Certification.

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Liz lives in Florence, SC with her husband Arthur and two children, Townsend and Blakeney. In her spare time, you can find her working on their family farm and teaching Sunday school.