Debbie Erickson, Equine Specialist, is a Master Instructor certified through CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) in English and Western disciplines, also certified instructor for riders with disabilities. Debbie has been the program director and President of Alaska Unique Riders Overcoming Risk and Adversity (AURORA).

 

For the last five years, an owner operator of SILVER LEGACY STABLES, producing State champions for decades. Debbie is a life-long Alaskan who has a passion for horses and people. She has worked with many challenges always continuing to educate herself with therapeutic healing qualities associated with horses.

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Debbie is invested in her horses and clients, providing a healthy environment for both horses and people. She is involved and engaged with the horse community, has served on several Equestrian Based Organizations, locally and nationally. 

Laura was born and raised in Alaska and grew up riding and showing horses.  After graduating from Service High School is 1996, she attended the University of Idaho earning her B.S. in Secondary Eduction (Geology and Health).  She then taught high school science and coached track and field at Dimond High School and Service High School. 

 

After moving to the Valley in 2005, she completed a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction in 2009.  She has worked for the Mat-Su Borough School District in Federal Programs, as a Migrant Education teacher, Grant Writer, Tobacco Cessation Coordinator, and currently, a Homeschool Advisor.

 

She completed her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health from Adams State University in 2015, quickly following with a Graduate Certificate in School Counseling in 2016. After becoming EAGALA certified in 2015, and wanting to expand her knowledge of biological processes concerning mental health and nutrition, she became a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) in 2017.  She continued on with becoming certified in Brainspotting in 2019.  

 

Laura is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Alaska and also a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).  She networks with Functional Medicine Professionals, Chiropractors, and Naturopathic Doctors in Palmer, AK in pursuit of holistic alternatives to traditional mental health treatments and medications.  Laura is the South-Central Alaska EAGALA network coordinator and hopes to expand opportunities for more accessibility around the State.  

 

Hobbies include attending bookclub, riding horses, hiking with her dogs, traveling with Ben, paying off student loans, and trying to save money to retire in a place with sand and surf, in which she does not have to wear socks. 

 

Professional memberships:

American Counseling Association

National Board of Certified Counselors

ISEPP (International Society for Ethical Psychology and Psychiatry

EAGALA