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Nathalie Gour |
Art Mackie
I was born and raised here on the Mackie family farm "Win-Dee Lane Stock Farm". This 120 acre farm was home to me, my five sisters, our parents, many hired hands and our many different family and farm animals. We raised family pets such as a squirrel monkey, a fox, many puppies and horses, cats, chickens and turkeys. I carry on that tradition by having ducks, donkeys, peacocks and my two "gals" by my side, Sheba and Shadow my white German Shepherds.
At age 17 after finishing high school, I headed out west where the economy was booming. The heavy equipment jobs I held took me from Calgary Alberta to Bali India. I later became part owner in a successful Vancouver based private investigating company. I gained invaluable life experiences and skills with every job I did and place I lay my hat. Needless to say the family pull and an offer from my Dad to have me take over the farm and its business tugged at my heart so I packed up my van and headed back east and to the next adventure in my life.
For a few years I ran a successful business on
this farm called "Trails of Terror" that provided clients young and
old with a narrated scary Halloween ride through the bush while they
experienced different scary scenes. This farm
now provides guided western horseback riding, sleigh rides, a cabin and picnic area
for family and friends to come and enjoy some down home country
fresh air while they escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
My
one official day off each year is spent hosting a Christmas Day Mackie Brunch
that brings me, my sisters, nieces, nephews, boyfriends,
girlfriends, husbands, Mother and step parents together. This
recreation program gives me another opportunity to provide a special
unique service
that a family member, a friend or you to family.
Happy Trails Riding Stables is Art Mackie and Art Mackie has been nicknamed "Hapster". My work, my horses, my dogs and my farm are my life. I take pride in where I have taken this farm and I know my Dad would be very proud and supportive of this new adventure.
Nathalie Gour
I was born and raised in a
farming community of
Throughout my studies and my
career, Happy Trails, has been a constant;
a place I could go to unwind, get out of the city, and spend time
with the animals. It is a wonderful way to rid oneself of the
stress of the work week.
I started my career in social work by gaining valuable experience from volunteering and later working for The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.
I began my employment with CAS as a child and youth worker. After spending time working with other organizations I returned to CAS as a specialized foster parent. I later become a Resources Worker for the Prescott Russell CAS.
During my career, I have seen
first hand the benefits of having animals involved with children
having a difficult time expressing their
emotions. Animals are
not only beneficial to children that are emotionally bruised, but to
any child and adult from any walk of life.
When Art and I initially started to explore the possibility of this program, we could see the potential was limitless. For me, having the opportunity of combining my two passions, working with children and animals, while offering a very unique experience, was amazing.
This program is a new venture
for us, although we both have years of experience with animals, as
well as children and adults with special needs. We are looking forward to many
years of having the privilege of offering this amazing program to
special members of our community.