August 2020 Practitioner of the month, Destiny Goble

Name: Destiny Goble

Practice Location: I currently practice in Waverly and surrounding areas including Auburn in Alabama. I’ve recently joined with Dr. Debra Taylor’s veterinary practice there to be more involved in specialized Hoof Care Rehabilitation. 

What certification did you earn through Angel's Animals? I earned my Equine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy certification first and am currently working to finish my Equine Kinesiology Taping and Craniosacral Therapy courses. My future and ultimate goal is to add ANMR to my practice. 

When did you decide that you wanted to work with animals? I've always wanted to, as a kid it was often how I earned money for the things I needed. I was working my first real W2 job for a corporate sales store when I realized not having horses in my day to day life as a career was something I couldn't live with. It was then that I attended Lookout Mountain School of Horseshoeing in 2007 which led me to Auburn Veterinary College where I feel in love with Hoof Rehab and the barefoot hoof philosophies. I can remember all of the chronic and acute laminitis horses that came into my life for hoof help and spending time just rubbing their tired muscles that were hard as rocks. I always wished I could do more for the whole horse in my whole horse business approach. I had played around with massage for several years just to make the  horses more comfortable to stand for longer hoof care procedures and began to see the value and proof of what I was doing. This led me to Angel's Animals LLC. the course was laid out in a manner of kinetic learning that I could take to work and learn. It was exactly what I needed to learn to put the puzzle together on horses I couldn't go any farther with on the Hoof Rehab side. Without correct and balanced movement, your hoof care is only as balanced as the body.

What animal influenced you the most growing up? Horses. My best friend was always a horse from a young age. I would disappear all day with just my horse and snacks. 

What animals do you currently own? Two horses, a dog and a cat.

What makes your animal bodywork practice stand out? ​All professionals have the things that make them feel good about the work they do and mine is having two different professions that work seamlessly together. Being a CEMFT and a Hoof Rehab Specialist, I feel like I make more of an impact on horses in need. Horses with chronic hoof issues over long periods end up with so many secondary ailments. Just knowing that I can bring them overdue reflex from that stand point of hoof AND body, I feel like I've made a difference. I no longer feel helpless for them.

What message would you like to share with potential clients? My focus is on the horse, and I want to advocate what's best for them. It's not just the body, just the feet, just the diet, it's the WHOLE horse. Generally when horses get to me, owners have been in a battle for sometime and feel like they're loosing. I'm no miracle worker by any means, but when you approach a cases that's slipping down hill with a collaborative, open minded team approach that attacks the war tactfully from every corner success happens. Much of this success, I feel like comes down to owner's willingness to follow the new plan and stay the course with an open mind. Another part that goes along with tough cases is to have an immense support group of colleagues in your corner with a shared mindset to help horses overcome the obstacles in their path. I'm thankful everyday for the outstanding group of colleagues that I've found myself surrounded by in my career.

What message would you like to share with others who are thinking about pursuing a career in animal bodywork? Just go for it. You aren't going to understand every bit of course material in your studies right away, some things will go over your head at first, but just keep going. Those teachings that confuse you in the beginning with ring true on certain animals in need at the right time. Position yourself into local rescues whether it be shelters with canines and felines or equine based organizations before you even begin a course. Those animals will be forever grateful for your time spent learning on them. They can even be your certification cases allowing you to have full histories without scrambling for case histories at the end of your courses.

Off topic, but be sure to set your business up as a full fledge business. Meet with a CPA to discuss proper filing and reporting. They have valuable advice on how to run a successful business without it running you. Familiarize yourself with your state laws. Not every state will allow you to legally practice. FORMS,  having your own forms for each client and each horse puts  you so far ahead in many ways.

Lastly, and most importantly, get ride alongs with any professional that will take you, massage therapist and chiropractor. Local AND distant to you. Let them know your aspirations. There is ALWAYS something you can learn from another professional. This was one of the most important things I did for myself to further my education.

Visit Destiny's FB page