Alumni Profiles - Joanne (Joey) Thompson '95
Member, Otterbein College Alumni Council
Home: Galena, Ohio
Occupation: Therapist/Equine Assisted Psychology
Major at Otterbein: Public Relations/Communications
It took me almost 10 years of night school and weekend classes to earn my degree from Otterbein. My whole life I never felt "smart enough" to become a college graduate. For the first few years at Otterbein, I recall being fearful that someone would approach me during class, tap me on the shoulder and say, "Joey, you need to leave now - we know you will never make the grade." But I persevered, one or two classes at a time. My passion for learning kept me going. During those years I worked full time, began running marathons (qualified for the Boston Marathon), was diagnosed with cancer and all the while was struggling with alcoholism and an eating disorder.
At the age of 32, I graduated with a degree in Public Relations/Communications. The next year I hit bottom, lost my job and my home, and essentially felt I had nothing to live for. I remember hitting my knees asking God to either help me or help me end it all. Not long after that, I began some introspective work. Through that process, I came to believe there must be a purpose for all I had been through. Call it a spiritual awakening, a miracle or whatever. From that point on I began a journey that has been astounding.
Securing employment in the alcohol/drug treatment arena was the first miracle. While working in the field I began attending 12-step meetings and learning about my disease. Shortly thereafter, I applied and was accepted into the University of Dayton's counselor education graduate program. Simultaneously I began working at a local horse farm to make ends meet and to spend time around horses. From the time I was a little girl all I ever dreamed of was to have a horse of my own. I was passionate about them.
Soon thereafter, I graduated with a masters degree in education and currently hold a school counseling license. Additionally, I am a certified chemical dependency counselor and am working towards a second masters in clinical counseling.
Four years ago I purchased a six-acre farm in Galena and became certified as an equine assisted psychotherapist. I began a part-time practice working with children and families struggling with mental health, substance abuse and other related issues. Last fall I took another leap of faith and left the security of a full-time guidance counselor position. Today I own Serenity Stables (named after the infamous 12-step Serenity Prayer.) Using horses in a therapeutic, learning and training capacity, Serenity Stables is now Central Ohio's premier equine assisted therapy, education and corporate training center.
There have been so many miracles in my life since my years at Otterbein. One of the first was walking across that stage in Rike Center in June, 1995 at the age of 32. It is now 10 years later, and the miracles are still happening. Today I don't fear people will find out who I am. I am a survivor. I am a risk taker. I take risks to help others and to share my message of hope. My story is summarized in two words, Passion and a Prayer. I own a horse -- her name is Passion - and I live on a farm named after the Serenity Prayer. And for that I am truly thankful!