Ep. 60 HYS - Officer Stacey Jennings On The Value Of Partnerships And Learning A New Language

Life is about partnerships - finding the right ones, cultivating them to make them last, and learning everything you can from them. Officer Stacey Jennings of the Toronto Police has learned that in her time with the Mounted Unit, and she's applying those lessons every chance she gets. As the latest guest on Hitting Your Stride, Stacey had a lot to share about her experiences both on and off the horse. She grew up with a dream of being a judge ... or a zoo keeper. And while it seems she has found the perfect middle ground between the two, it's what she takes away from the experience of being a mounted officer that is both unique and profound. It began with the drive to join the unit in the first place and carried on with the number of equine partners she's had until her current one, Saunders, came along. In learning how to do her job from atop a horse, Stacey has been able to take the best parts of being a police officer and combined them with her passion for animals. She's seen how the community reacts to the mounted unit, as their 'big boys' offer a sense of comfort and familiarity in times of stress for the public. But working with Saunders in particular has helped her learn patience and how to speak a new language - his language - to be able to form a better partnership and truly have each other's back. There are some funny stories (including one about Saunders' first trip to the shores of Lake Ontario) and some touching moments where Stacey shares the true value of all kinds of partnerships with the audience. It's a unique look at what can be a polarizing profession, and it offers an interesting perspective from someone who's seen a lot from the saddle.