Jeffrey T. Patterson (Jeff)
Owner, Founder of Herd 2 Human/Master Instructor
Jeff has been a horseman since childhood. Like many horsemen, Jeff was taught ways of handling horses that were far from beneficial to him or the horse that bordered on abusive. As Jeff recognized and accepted responsibility for his poor approach to horsemanship and started listening to the horse, he discovered a means of communicating with the horse that changed his world. As a result, Jeff developed and teaches a methodology entitled Herd 2 Human, proven to be an affective aid in trauma therapy and building personal relationships. Utilizing this systematic approach to thought, technique, and timing, Herd 2 Human creates a safe place for the horse, provides the human with a sense of value and purpose, while developing new emotional pathways from places of fear to inner peace and confidence.
Since 1981 Jeff’s work as a private investigator has been digging deep into the intimate lives of others … gathering facts and examining the personalities, habits, and emotional states of those involved in trauma, dispute, and broken relationships. In addition, to the countless hours on the street observing sub-rosa human behavior, Jeff has examined hundreds of clients, family members, and witnesses, listening and documenting their personal stories of abuse, betrayal, mistrust, and violent acts such as rape, suicide, and homicide. On many occasions, Jeff used horses to assist him in overcoming seemingly impassable roadblocks with witnesses who were unable or unwilling to express themselves due to trauma. The combination of years of investigation with a lifetime of horsemanship has been a unique and invaluable education in trauma and the domino effect it has on everyone involved.
Darlene C. Patterson
Co-Owner, Co-Founder of Herd 2 Human/Master
Instructor
Darlene has been at Jeff’s side since they married in 1976 and has assisted in developing Herd 2 Human from its conception. Darlene is an accomplished rider and loves to instruct. Her thousands of miles of endurance conditioning and competitions afford her an exceptional ability to help others with balanced, efficient riding techniques, athletic conditioning of the horse, and relationship building skills. She has ridden over 20,000 miles in conditioning and over 4,000 miles in competition with the American Endurance Riders Conference and competitive trail riding associations, in addition to managing (with Jeff) 3 well-attended competitions. Darlene has skills in business to include, but not limited to, accounting, payroll, accounts payables, and receivables with a family construction company. Darlene is a Reiki Master, trained in the Mikao Usui method.
With that said and everything I think I know about the oneness of creation, it still isn’t easy to lose a good friend, so I just feel the need to tell you about Sam. Writing this tribute is my therapy after looking out the window this morning at our herd of horses without Sam. He was the head of the pecking order and cornerstone of the barn. He was my pal.
Sam was a do everything horse. He not only touched my life in wonderful ways … he touched the lives of many. The number of names given Sam is demonstrative of the different ways he touched other’s lives. To the horses that shared pasture with Sam, visited the barn or competed against him, he was Samson. I could pony the most unruly horse around the barn behind Samson and they would stay in their place with one twist of Samson’s ear and his slightest warning of dominance.
Sam was my polo horse and games horse for many
years. He chased cows, packed me around
the hills hunting, did a couple limited distance races and was a 4-H horse
(Both western and English) for Austin at a time in Austin’s life when he really
needed Sam.
Austin and Sam running barrels at a 4-H show
Austin and Sam preparing for a 4-H show
Austin and Sam teaching 4-H
Later
in Sam’s life, after we retired from polo, Sam became everyone’s horse. He
entertained family and friends and friends of friends, with pony rides around
the arena and lessons of all sorts. Sam was always available and willing when
others came to the arena and needed a horse to play with. Sam did everything from slow walks around the
arena to fast hard racing through games and obstacles, to standing around being
groomed endlessly with ribbons and braids in his mane and tail. I never worried about Sam hurting
anyone. While he was like a rocket under
me in the polo field, he was a gentle giant under those just learning. He
always seemed to know the difference and took care of us all accordingly.
Over the past few years, Sam had been my partner, along with Austin and Darlene, hosting clinics. Sam willingly ran around the arena with me at liberty and under me bridle-less and bareback, demonstrating to everyone how man and horse can talk and listen to each other. Sam’s ability to communicate with humans made him a very special boy.
Most recently, Sammi had become a therapy horse, helping trauma survivors with recovery, He was beyond amazing when it came to interacting with humans in pain … physically or emotionally. Of all the joyful times I had with Sam over the years, watching him work with people in need was the ultimate end to a wonderful and meaningful life. As stated by others who worked with Sammi: “The spirit of Sammi will live on through the hearts of many. I am blessed to have known Sam and am grateful for the healing energy he shared with me”. And, “Sam taught me how to be honest with him, but most importantly, with myself and others.” Of all those Sam helped, I am the most blessed. He was there for me when I didn’t even understand that he was. Sam taught me how to listen to an unspoken language.
Now in the end, I know here is no end. While Sam’s life has passed, his energy will be with me and those he touched forever. Sam’s presence will always be at the barn. Once again, I am on the receiving end of Sam’s endless giving. His purpose was a selfless offering to those of us who needed him in our lives for one reason or another. I only hope not to lose sight of that purpose for the remainder of my walk through this life. So, while I say farewell to Sam’s physical presence, I will enjoy his energy forever by remembering all that he is … powerful, kind, willing unbelievably forgiving, and so much more. And … I hope all who personally knew this horse of many names, will also remember the numerous teaching and learning opportunities he provided us all.
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