I am Judy Lee Jenkins and I came to California for graduate school at San Francisco State University studying research psychology. I published my thesis in Psychology Reports studying the human-animal companion bond. I moved to Sonoma county and started Pegasus in 2000 after working for 14 years at the SF/SPCA in the education department supervising the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) program, the kids summer camp and the visiting school program. In developing Pegasus I found a way to combine my love of animal education and my passion for horses. It all started with a weekly program for homeless children to visit the farm and be with the horses and other animals.
My focus has always been to make horse back riding accessible to at risk populations and those who could not afford to ride a horse. I have worked with numerous horses over the years, and feel strongly that a horse gets to retire from this job when they are done. I always find them good forever homes and stay in touch as they have lodged in a special place in my heart. Once I even did a fund raiser and was able to send Kirby (a gelding who deserved retirement) to a pastoral retirement home in Missouri. I’ve served hundreds of children and made some forever friends and touched many lives. This work feeds my heart, I feel grateful to go to work each day.
I started working with the homeless population in 2000 when I moved to Sonoma county. For the next 14 years I developed and ran Pegasus riding school, an animal assisted therapy program for kids living at the Family Support center, a homeless shelter in Santa Rosa. I worked with many different therapy horses, we also housed and cared for chickens, goats, and a beautiful garden. I have learned as much as I’ve taught these special kids, and I’ve loved sharing their delight in horses. The program took an extended break in 2015 and resumed with Take Flight last summer 2021. Covid has forced another pause but we hope to bring it back this summer.