Retired Centra nurse, Carol Barker is an example of pursuing your passions no matter what stage of life you happen to be in. As someone who had always wanted to go into the field of healthcare, she put off going back to school so that she could focus on raising her kids. However, once her youngest child had been in school for a few years, she decided it was time to go back to school to pursue a career in nursing. After spending countless hours studying and participating in third shift clinicals, Carol graduated and was able to fulfill her dream of caring for others through work with geriatric patients.
Some of Carol’s favorite parts of her work as a nurse included building relationships with the residents of the independent living facility she worked at and specifically, taking them to lunch when she wasn’t working. Carol shared one story of how she took a patient and her daughter to lunch. While there the patient said, “Honey, I want to order a martini,” and Carol responded with an enthusiastic, “Go for it!”
This mantra has been adopted by Carol who shared that one piece of advice that she received and has never forgotten was, “Do things while you can!” Many of her patients became grandparent figures in her life because of the advice and stories they would share with her. After hearing about so many travels and experiences, she’s now learned to say, “yes,” whenever presented with an exciting opportunity.
One such “yes” was when Carol decided to become a volunteer and board member at Brook Hill Farm. As someone who had horses as a child and rode off and on throughout her life, Carol has loved being involved in a program that combines two of her life passions–helping others and spending time with horses!
At present, Carol works with approximately four different groups that are a part of Brook Hill’s therapeutic riding program. One group consists of children with emotional disabilities who are learning how to self-regulate. Carol explained that horses will mirror the emotions of the humans around them, so the kids must quickly learn that they will have a better day of riding when they demonstrate patience and gentleness with the horses that they are interacting with.
Besides working with groups of foster kids and seniors, Carol works with a team of Brook Hill Volunteers to provide mental and physical riding-based therapy for an individual with cerebral palsy. After working with the individual for the last three years, Carol has noticed a marked improvement in their riding skills, ability to recognize things and to balance.
Carol has also adopted two horses who went through Brook Hill’s rehabilitation program which helps emaciated horses return to a healthy, happy state. While one has since passed away, Carol enjoys trail riding her Hanoverian Bay who is named Quinn.
The former nurse and passionate volunteer said she would most definitely encourage others to get involved at Brook Hill. Going on to say, “It’s so gratifying to see these kids succeed; they’re going on to college and vet school…their lives are being turned around.”
When Carol is not at Brook Hill, you will most likely find her spending time with her adult sons, one who lives locally and one who lives in Boston. She also enjoys visiting Smith Mountain Lake with her nine-year-old granddaughter where they boat and kayak. When asked who makes her laugh the most she answered without hesitation, “My husband! He has a great sense of humor. Anyone who knows Jeff Barker knows he’s super funny.”
Carol Barker is an example to all of us that there is much to be learned from pursuing our passions, seizing the opportunities that are laid before us, and making a positive impact on the lives of those around us.