SHADOW SERENITY, INC.
PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA

The birth of Shadow Serenity began the day Debbie was reunited with her horse, Shadow. You see Debbie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer December of 2013. She had just purchased Shadow and did not have a real connection with him. Debbie felt that with this tragic diagnosis she would not be able to care for Shadow. Debbie sold him after only having him for about a month. Debbie and Shadow started to get acquainted again. It should be noted here that Debbie had very little horse knowledge at this time and could not even put a halter on Shadow without help. Shadow guided her through this with ease. Shadow helped her through her each and every task needed to care for him. Shadow was always keeping a watchful eye on Debbie. She was never out of his sight. Debbie had major surgery in March 2013. She was not able to see Shadow for about eight weeks. The day she returned to the barn to see Shadow was a day before she was expected to return. Debbie could not wait another day to see Shadow. I remember this day so vividly. I was cleaning stalls as usual. I heard Shadow nickering in a loud and urgent way. I ran to see what was happening. To my surprise it was Debbie slowly and very painfully making her way to the barn. Outside of Shadow’s paddock is log where Debbie sat to rest after the long walk to the barn. Shadow wrapped his big gentle head and neck around Debbie for a very long time. He just held her close. This image is on the cover of our Shadow Serenity brochure. Debbie would sit there every day and just be in the presence of this miracle horse. Shadow and Debbie spent hours in my pasture and in my barn. Debbie suffered through chemo and doctors visits, lab visits, nausea, severe weakness, and pain. Throughout it all she leaned on Shadow. Shadow carried her through the entire ordeal of treatment. Debbie and I were sitting under one of my many oak trees and were discussing how miraculous horses and their spirit are to humans. These creatures have an ability to heal like no other animal on earth. Debbie and I both agreed that we have truly been blessed in our lives. We wanted to give back. Shadow Serenity was created. Shadow is the horse that gave Debbie serenity. We are a non-profit 501(c ) (3) organization in Pinellas County dedicated to improving the physical and emotional quality of life through spiritual support for those facing cancer. © 2018 Shadow Serenity. All rights reserved. Jamie offers a lifetime of experience owning and showing horses. She has trained under renowned trainers such as Andy Morrman and Wolfgang Dellefont. Not only does she own a riding facility and provides complete equine care to horses, Jamie is also a nurse and holds an MBA. We are a non-profit 501(c ) (3) organization in Pinellas County dedicated to improving the physical and emotional quality of life through spiritual support for those facing cancer. © 2018 Shadow Serenity. All rights reserved. Shadow Serenity has four magnificent “equine therapists”. Both the tangible and intangible gifts our horses give to our participants, volunteers and staff are innumerable and priceless. Each one of our horses are a treasure in a way that is unique to them; each, absolutely, has their own tale to tell. Shadow is the CEO of Shadow Serenity and belonged to Debbie Newman. Our foundation is not only named after him; but we are here because of him. Shadow is an American Quarter Horse. He is 7 years old at this time. Shadow loves interacting with people of all ages. He truly loves when we have parties and events at the farm; and loves being the center of attention. Shadow is a very sweet and sensitive soul. He is attuned to a participant’s feelings and fears. Shadow is truly a comforting and magical horse. He was instrumental in providing joy, comfort, and healing throughout Debbie’s cancer fight. He always kept a watchful eye for his beloved Debbie. Noah is the first therapy horse we purchased for Shadow Serenity. Acquiring Noah was a huge step for us. Noah’s previous name was Blizzard. You see he was born in a blizzard in Colorado. However, he provides such serenity and comfort for everyone in his presence that we thought Noah was a more fitting name for him. He likes his name too, as he comes to us when we call for him in the pasture. Noah is 5 years old and is a Percheron Draft/ American Quarter Horse cross. He is a favorite of most of our participants. Noah is a very mischievous boy and finds trouble wherever he can. Yeager is the Prince of Shadow Serenity. Yeager belongs to Jamie Kay Weil our foundation co-founder. He has been instrumental in providing strength and comfort to Jamie as well as many or our participants. Yeager is a retired Thoroughbred race horse. He is a big boy at 17.2 and 10 years old. Yeager is a true gentle giant and gentleman. As most Thoroughbreds are; Yeager is sensitive and seems to be able to read your mind and feel your heart. Yeager is a powerhouse of a horse; but whenever he is in the presence of a participant he very soft and purposeful. He knows his job and he loves everyone. GiGi is the Princess of Shadow Serenity. GiGi was the second horse we purchased for our program. GiGi is a palomino miniature horse. She is a petite princess at 29 inches tall. We adopted GiGi from the SPCA. GiGi was previously starving and abandoned before the SPCA found her. GiGi is 8 years old and a true joy to be around. She challenged us at first. But with the expert training of Mandy Finan she is a true therapy horse. GiGi visits people in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living facailities, and anywhere she is needed. She is a favorite visitor at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center. GiGi pulls a cart and takes her therapy job seriously. GiGi also has a full wardrobe of outfits for every holiday courtesy of her private designer and Aunt Kathy Jowett. GiGi runs the farm and we all love her dearly. We are a non-profit 501(c ) (3) organization in Pinellas County dedicated to improving the physical and emotional quality of life through spiritual support for those facing cancer.