"Life is unpredictable. Learn to handle difficult situations in a more positive way."

Amy Blossom- Executive Director at Reins of Change in Illinois, EAP Level III- has been certified by EAGALA, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, since 1998.

Her lifetime of horse experience includes studying many different philosophies and disciplines of riding and training, adopting and working with many horses of various breeds needing emotional or physical recovery, undergraduate studies in stable management, horse psychology, membership as a riding instructor with the American Riding Instructor Association and then certification from EAGALA, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association to co-facilitate Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and related services. Amy has owned, trained and personally cared for most of her own horses, as well as horses belonging to others.

Amy's mental health background includes an undergraduate degree in Psychology, certification as a sexual assault and domestic violence counselor, certification as a ropes course facilitator, an internship working with groups of chronic mentally ill adolescents and adults in an intensive outpatient program, regular continuing education in the mental health field including coursework in animal assisted therapy, training and certification through EAGALA for equine assisted therapy, and over seven years of providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults with various mental health needs and diagnosis with highly qualified therapists.

Amy's corporate experience includes starting out in as support staff for busy executives, developing and running a new division for a large corporation, a human resource administrator position with a large international manufacturer with management and staff in four different locations, planning and implementing seminars, training opportunities, and continuing education opportunities for staff and management, a position as production coordinator managing a large group of active jobs in various levels of completion, a marketing position where she developed creative solutions for clients and created specialized marketing plans and presentations for international organizations. Amy has personally developed, financed and managed Reins of Change, Inc.

Volunteering has always been a part of Amy's life. The Junior League has been a priority for Amy's family for generations, and she was always involved in community projects. Her father was an Episcopal priest at a church within a very impoverished community where the people were always in critical need. While in college, Amy assisted her sorority in identifying and implementing many philanthropic projects within the school and surrounding community. Upon graduation, Amy joined the Junior League Peoria and joined a development board to research the availability of services for adolescents within the community. The result was an entire center designated to providing medical, mental health and recreational support for adolescents in need. When Amy moved to the Chicago area, she joined the Junior League of Kane and DuPage Counties and has been an active member with many different roles including training and project development. Additionally, she has served on the Board of Directors for the Glenwood Reserves at Glenwood School, Horses Healing Hearts and EAGALA.

Amy's lifetime of horse knowledge, together with her mental health background, corporate development experience and extensive volunteer contributions has made her an effective leader and mentor in the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. She is the founder and CEO of Reins of Change, which is located in the western suburbs of Chicago. Reins of Change is a private stable and mental health center, dedicated to providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Personal Growth, Corporate Training, EAGALA Services and other educational opportunities for clients of all ages. Reins of Change is proud to offer a staff of highly qualified, EAGALA certified teams, who specialize in specific mental health issues like Eating Disorders, Self Injury, Substance Abuse, Behavior Disorders and other mental health issues. Staff at Reins of Change are often invited to conferences, seminars, workshops and schools to present the benefits of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Amy is a member of EAGALA's Board of Directors, is an EAGALA Trainer, and acts as Supervisor and Consultant to other EAGALA associates and organizations. She leads the Illinois EAGALA Networking Group through Reins of Change. Amy also founded Horses Healing Hearts, which is a not-for-profit program dedicated to providing EAP scholarships for youth-at-risk in our community, and is an active member of the Junior League of Kane and DuPage Counties.