Jamie grew up with horses but didn’t take formal riding lessons until she was 37 years old. Her love of horses started when she was in diapers with the family pony, Ginger. Jamie retired from the US Air Force in 2012 to focus on being a stay-at-home mom after military life had separated her from her family for so many years. After settling here in Missouri in 2013, and getting her daughter, Bree settled in school, she had some time on her hands and knew she wanted to spend her free time with horses. After volunteering at a couple summer camps, Jamie discovered TREE House of Greater St. Louis and started as a sidewalker in 2016. From there, she progressed first to leader, then horse-handler, and finally earned her certification as a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor in 2018. Jamie’s hobbies (outside of horses, of course) include travel, gardening, tennis, and gourmet food…both eating it and cooking it!
Jamie Waaler, CTRI
