Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Bryan.
Hi Patricia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Walk on Water was founded 20 years ago when my mother suffered a stroke and heart attack while visiting. She sustained right-side paralysis and became non-verbal as a result. As her caretaker, I learned to transfer, bathe, change, and feed her through a tube. There were many doctor appointments, medications, and times when accidents occurred. There were also hospital visits when she relapsed. To do whatever it took to help her, I turned to my medical background.
As an educator in the medical field, I researched different ways to rehabilitate her and came across Equine Therapy. When taking my mom to a nearby facility, she immediately responded to a horse peeking through the car window with her first word, “Whoa.” Hearing her speak for the first time since the paralysis, along with a calling from God, was the encouragement that led me to start the Walk on Water Ministry. My mom, although still non-verbal, is still alive today and walks with a walker.
Today, Walk on Water Equine Assisted Therapy owns 6.5 acres between Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, and Port Canaveral on Merritt Island. Grants from The Home Depot, CVS, Toyota, Allstate, W and J Construction, G & G Roofing, Space Coast Health Foundation, Community Foundation for Brevard, Grumman, Margaret Binz Foundation, Autism Speaks, and Shema has helped us to create a safe and beautiful facility. With their help, our grounds include an indoor arena (the only one in Brevard County) with a round pen, an accessible pavilion with a cabin, restroom, showers, a barn, tool shed, garden, and chicken coop.
Walk on Water serves four thousand people in our community per year, along with one hundred volunteers per month serving as feeders, sidewalkers, leaders, and property managers. We employ PATH-certified instructors for our Equine Assisted Therapy sessions and contract labor for OT. Families are encouraged to partake in sessions, and we offer a variety of free programs, such as art and reading reins, to promote life skills for our participants. We have spearheaded the Special Olympics Equestrian program in our county and achieved gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category entered.
Walk on Water has successfully provided Equine Therapy and other programs, working in conjunction with our community, celebrating our 20th year on November 7th from 3-7 pm with our Harvest Hoedown. Visit WalkonWaterhorses.com for more information.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Walk on Water started on a property with a free lease. God told me to approach the landowner where I first brought my mom and tell him what we wanted to do, and he would let us free-lease the property, and he did. A miracle for sure. Since then, we have moved 5 times, landing on our own property, which is debt free.
We have faced building projects where companies have walked off the job, but companies like W and J Construction, Home Depot, and other organizations came to the rescue.
Sometimes we experienced loss: Tyler had been riding Relly since he was young. He was a child with Autism and was nonverbal. Relly was our beautiful Halflinger pony. When Tyler got too big to ride Relly, he would come and walk her around the arena and then groom and bathe her. It was truly his horse since no one else rode her. One Saturday morning we arrived at the ranch, and Relly was lying down in the field. When we approached her, we knew she was gone. She was 33years old but also so healthy. We couldn’t understand it. We called Tyler’s mom to tell her to keep Tyler home, and we would find a way to break it to him. She said he was in the hospital with COVID, and they wouldn’t let her see him. I told her to call the police and have them escort her. A month later, Tyler was also gone at only 22 years old. As much as I missed them both I understood right then what God did. He didn’t want to bring Tyler home without his horse. Tyler and Relly are now in heaven, healthy, healed, and riding into the sunset. God is good.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First and foremost, I am a child of God. My life verse is Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I feel like I have been blessed with so many gifts. Before Founding Walk on Water, I was a cardiac rehab therapist at Wuestoff Hospital in Rockledge. From there, I began a teaching career starting at the college level and finishing with pre-K reading. My real joy has been dancing for the Lord with Project Restoration and Rejoice Ministry, where we traveled extensively through the country, dancing at the Southern Baptist Convention and also abroad in Israel 3 times. I also love to paint and have done several pieces for the ranch and taught art classes during our camps.
Walk on Water allowed me to put all the gifts bestowed on me to use at the ranch. Starting a nonprofit from scratch took a lot of prayer and support. My family, especially my husband Doug, deserves recognition for that. He is my biggest fan and has stood by my side through joy and pain. My son Noah is actually my successor and writes all of our grants and is in charge of business development. Bekah Cox, a long time rider has taken over the daily operations of Walk on Water.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a small town on Long Island in an Italian family. My grandparents lived with us, and we were poor. Sometimes the only things in the refrigerator were butter and bread. Sunday was macaroni and meatballs and family time only! I was a very active child. Today they would call it ADHD, but my mom knew how to keep me busy. We were outdoors playing games with my brothers and friends. We did crafts and learned to sew, paint, knit, and crochet. I played sports, danced, and was a cheerleader from Jr HIgh through college. Throughout my life, people called me the Energizer Bunny because I never sat still. For the most part, I have a lot of joy and like to spread that to everyone I know. I love to give gifts and constantly make something to give away. I am very social but also like my quiet times with God and me.
My Favorite things to do now are paint, junk journaling with scripture, and walking with my husband of 39 years.
Pricing:
- We accept Step up for Students
- Medicaid
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Walkonwaterhorses.com
- Facebook: @walkonwaterhorses
