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Season 2 Episode 15: Jennifer Williams
SEASON 2, EPISODE 15
Today’s interview is with the founder of a Humane Society in southern Texas.
You might not be familiar with this type of organization so let me help you get your bearings. You’ve heard of animal rescues and animal shelters before, right? And when you think about them, you probably imagine they rescue pets like cats and dogs.
And maybe, if you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you also think of birds, pigs, and snakes!
So, let me ask you this. Have you ever thought about what happens to abused and neglected horses? Or what happens when a horse owner loses her job and can’t afford to care for her well-loved four-hoofed friend? Did you realize that horses sometimes need to be rescued? Sheltered? Rehabilitated?
Well, they do, and today you’re going to meet a woman who not only saw the need for a horse rescue, she decided to start a nonprofit organization that does just that.
Today’s episode was so much fun to record. My guest is the Founder and Executive Director of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, Jennifer Williams. During our interview, Jennifer shares about her love of horses and her journey into the nonprofit sector–which, by the way, was never part of her life plan.
She also shares about how she met her husband online back in the mid 90s (something we have in common), and how her life changed after having her daughter later in life.
Additionally, Jennifer has a genetic condition that has made running a nonprofit more challenging than it would have been without it. We also discuss life as a nonprofit founder and how hard it was to build a strong board–but so worth it.
I can’t wait for you to meet Jennifer Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society in Rosharon, Texas.
🎧 Click here to listen to this episode:
About Jennifer Williams
Jennifer Williams is co-founder of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. She served as President and Executive Director until 2019 when she stepped off the board to focus on the Executive Director duties: building Bluebonnet, implementing and managing meaningful programs that help horses and their humans, fundraising, and public relations.
Jennifer’s involvement with horses began with riding lessons at the age of 12, and she’s been riding ever since. She’s shown Arabians, Quarter Horses, and National Show Horses and rides sidesaddle, saddleseat, huntseat, western pleasure, and dressage.
Jennifer earned her BS in Psychology from Northeast Missouri State University (now called Truman State) in 1996 and earned both a Masters in Animal Science in 2001 and a Ph.D. in 2002 from Texas A&M University. While working on her Masters and Ph.D., Jennifer did research primarily in equine behavior and learning. Jennifer is also an award-winning author with articles in EQUUS, the Chronicle of the Horse, The Andalusian Magazine, Young Rider, and other regional and national magazines. Her first book, How to Start and Run a Rescue, is available on Amazon. Jennifer has also served an expert witness in court cases involving equine behavior in multiple states.
Jennifer lives in Rosharon, Texas with her husband, daughter, adopted horses and ponies, cats, dogs, and a big flock of Swedish Flower Hens (chickens).
🔗 Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society:
- Website: https://www.bluebonnetequine.org/jennifer-williams-phd/
- Website: www.bluebonnetequine.org
- Donate: https://www.bluebonnetequine.org/donate/
- Facebook: Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebonnetequine/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-williams-8a456115/
- YouTube: Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
🙌 Connect with Jennifer Williams:
Co-founder
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
PO Box 632
College Station, TX 77841-0632
Phone: +1 888-542-5163
Email: jenn@bluebonnetequine.org
🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:
