My own personal journey begin while working with animals as a veterinary technician. I learned about the immense impact of unconditional love and the actual physical health rewards of being around animals. After being in this field a couple years,  I decided to expand my knowledge and skills into the human field and became an Occupational Therapist. I was drawn to the overall whole body mind approach Occupational Therapy incorporated, and how OT’s use animals in human rehabilitation (hippo therapy /animals assisted therapy).

Over more than two decades, I’ve had the privilege of practicing occupational therapy across the country before eventually establishing my own practice in Los Angeles. Along the way, I discovered how deeply trauma can embed itself in the body—manifesting as chronic pain, postural patterns, and emotional distress. This led me to study advanced healing modalities such as the John Barnes Method of Myofascial Release®, holistic pelvic floor health, and trauma-informed equine-assisted services, which now form the foundation of my work.

The vision for A New Dawn came from both professional experience and personal reflection. Through my own healing journey, I recognized how few trauma-informed, holistic tools are available for survivors of sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. My mother, Dawn, whose childhood abuse shaped much of her life, also deeply inspired me. Naming this nonprofit after her is my way of honoring her resilience while helping ensure that others have access to the healing support she needed but never had.

At A New Dawn, I am committed to creating a safe, compassionate space where survivors can reconnect with themselves and reclaim their lives. Every program we offer is designed to help survivors find strength, dignity, and hope. For me, A New Dawn represents more than a nonprofit; it is a promise that healing and new beginnings are possible.