Thank you for joining me for this special episode of the Mystic Dog Mama Spotlight Series. These are episodes where I invite incredible mystic dog mamas to come on the podcast and talk about their stories, and how their dogs, or in today’s case, dogs and horses, have had an impact on their lives. It’s an opportunity to explore the variety of ways animals are impacting us, and it’s one of my favourite parts of the podcast.

Today’s guest is Rhiannon Anderson. Rhi shares her experiences of living with Muscular Dystrophy, and how equine therapy and a connection with horses, -in particular a beautiful Clydesdale mix named Larry - have helped her to navigate a world that isn’t built for disabled people. She talks about the ways Larry has helped her experience profound emotional and healing breakthroughs, and given her the confidence to step more fully into an expanded version of herself. Rhi also talks about her beautiful border collie, Millie, who acted as both a physical and emotional support, and even learned some useful tricks like pulling off Rhi’s socks, even if she did get carried away with it!

Rhi also shares how she developed her blog, Living Abled, as a way to deal with the fears and stresses during Covid, and how this personal project ended up catalysing a whole community, and led her to starting her own life coaching business to help support other people in their struggles.

At just 24 years of age, Rhi is an incredible young woman who is such an inspiration! I know you’re going to love hearing her story, and I hope you are just as inspired as I am by her!

And, just before we get started, a quick reminder that this episode is supported by Aspirationery, which, in full transparency, is another project of mine where we create books, notebooks, and stationery to help you become all you aspire to be. You can check out our shadow work and moon magic journals and workbooks, as well as our popular “My First Period Tracker” for young girls and tweens on Instagram @aspirationery.

If you, or someone you know, would like to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight Series episode, please reach out to me in Instagram @mysticdogmama!

Find out more about Rhi’s coaching services at: https://livingabled.com.au

Connect with Rhi on Instagram https://instagram.com/living_abled

TIME STAMPS

00:22 Intro

03:16 Introducing Rhiannon Anderson of Living Abled

06:00 The roles that dogs and horses have played in Rhi’s life living with Muscular Dystrophy

08:47 Talking about Rhi’s perspectives on the conversations around ableism and disability

10:55 Horses offering the opportunity to do the inner work, without judgment

13:30 What does equine-assisted therapy look like for Rhi?

19:50 How equine-assisted therapy helped Rhi process grief

26:30 Rhi shares her own breakthrough experiences with Larry the Clydesdale

37:50 Rhi’s Living Abled blog as an outlet that then catalyzed a community

42:00 From law to life coaching

47:00 How to work with Rhi

51:20 We are the ones writing and telling our stories

54:00 Rhi’s takeaways

56:30 What have horses and dogs have taught Rhi about being human

DISCLAIMER: This is not a substitute for medical advice or other relevant professional advice.