Two and a half years ago, Lacey was experiencing impulsivity of self-harm and suicidal ideation while enrolled in an outpatient program. After years of struggling with her mental health and doubting her purpose in life, Lacey attempted suicide on December 28, 2021.

“I didn’t feel like anyone could love someone like me or that anyone cared. I felt this way my entire life, I’ve been let down a lot.”

Fortunately, Lacey always has a reliable and caring person in her corner: her mom, Valerie. “Even though we clash heads a lot, in the end, I love her to death. She does everything for me and nobody else in my life has stayed by me,” said Lacey. Without losing hope, Valerie searched for a variety of options to help her daughter and knew that Lacey needed something different. Lacey’s passion for animals naturally led her to Rawhide with our equine-assisted therapy.

“Animals help me so much to the point where at times I’m more comfortable with them than humans. When I have a panic attack, having an animal there calms me down,” said Lacey. “I have a great connection with Bracken—he nodded his head when I was talking to him, and he reacted to what I was saying.” Lacey’s therapist Samantha has also been a positive influence.

At first, Lacey was closed off and tried protecting herself by not speaking up. Now, Lacey and Sam have formed an unbreakable bond. “Sam showed me kindness and patience that no one ever showed me. I feel safe around her and she completely understands my boundaries,” shared Lacey. “I’m so proud of her resiliency and how she challenges herself,” said Sam. “Lacey needed to find her voice and someone to listen and hold that awkward silence for her to think and process what she needed. She’s going to do amazing things in life.”

When asked about her daughter’s progress, Valerie couldn’t hold back her tears. “Without Sam, I don’t know if Lacey would be where she is now. Lacey can verbalize her feelings and emotions. She’s more willing to communicate on her bad days, uses strategies she’s learned in therapy—and has taught me as well. She knows her boundaries and reaches out to me when she’s ready.”

Valerie shared important advice for other parents with struggling children. “Be patient. It’s so hard but you must be patient and take the time to understand,” she said. “You must be their advocate through the hardest times, even when they are shutting down. Do not give up on your child; they might be hurting so much, and you don’t know it.”

Because of her experiences and growth, Lacey wanted to become a person to lean on when others need it most. “If people in her life are struggling, she is their rock. She’s able to advocate for other people. She has the biggest heart that was a heart of stone and now it’s warm and beating again,” shared Valerie.

“Mental health is health, and it plays a huge part in everyone’s life. I now know that I am loved and cared for. I know that I have a more purposeful life,” said Lacey.

“Even though people let me down, I know that I have other people. My mom is my forever home. It’s not a house that makes a home, it’s people. It’s the memories. It’s love.” 15-year-old Lacey is currently a sophomore in high school and enjoys history class.

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