My father passed away in November 2025 at 67 years old after a rough battle with vascular dementia and COPD. His loss was profound for my family, as we are survivors of domestic violence; something that stretches back through generations. He struggled with his own trauma in ways that often caused harm to the people around him and ultimately to himself. As he became ill and unable to care for himself, the intensity of his patterns worsened. His illness highlighted the complicated reality of unhealed trauma.

My sisters and I have worked hard to stop the cycle of generational trauma. In 2017, I sought treatment for my mental health at a facility that offered equine psychotherapy. While I was there, I began working with off-the-track Thoroughbreds. That’s where I met Gigi. Connecting with her didn’t just change my life; it changed the direction of my entire journey.

There’s a saying often shared amongst horse people: “The horse is a mirror to the soul.” — Buck Brannaman.

I now understand how achingly, beautifully, true this is.

Gigi’s registered name is TheTeflonWarrior. For years, I’d jokingly tell people she was “the fastest frying pan in the United States.” But over time, especially after my dad passed, I began to feel a connection and deeper meaning of her name.

You can withstand a lot of heat. You can be put through the fire. But with Teflon, nothing sticks.

We’re warriors.

The parallels between Gigi’s life and mine didn’t fully bridge for me until my fathers passing. Through my grief, I’ve begun writing a book that tells both of our stories side by side and how we’ve helped each other heal.

The book will be completed by December 2026. Proceeds of the book will be donated to organizations that help survivors of abuse connect with horses. I will begin seeking organizations to work with once the book is completed and reviewed before public release.

Love,

Peaches