Porch Light Society: our mission

Amy, a former farm kid and proud supporter of the Western way of life, is the Founder and President of the Porch Light Society. She is now a nurse in one of the largest Emergency Departments in Calgary. Her profession has made her acutely aware of the increasing mental health needs arising in all sectors of our population. 

While considering agriculture the backbone of our society, she is especially worried about how heavily stigmatised mental health is within the industry. The critical levels of suicidal ideation in farmers and ranchers highlight the need for normalization of the topic. Her goal is to reinforce community ties, thereby strengthening our rural communities and the individuals in it.

Maggie is originally from Windsor, Ontario, and moved to Alberta in 2022.

Settling here with her partner, Brendan Bowie, and horse, Diesel, Maggie has been competing in the breakaway roping across numbers associations for the past 3 years. Mental health is important to Maggie because everyone needs a friend in life that enables them to call on each other for support when times are tough or to celebrate the wins.

Brendan is a third generation cowboy who is originally from Ontario, Canada, and moved out to central Alberta in 2022 with his fiancé to grow their roots and learn new ways

of the western life.

Brendan is a farrier and cowboy by trade whilst also spending his childhood growing up in Ontario rodeoing; horses,cattle and the agricultural community have played a major role in

his life. Mental health is important to Brendan as it is an aspect of life that we all struggle with.  

"Especially in the agricultural community where we don’t lean on each other and express our troubles. It is important that we all learn to be open and ask each other for help.

Kirsty is an Aussie who moved to Canada in 2018 to follow a cowboy.

Kirsty grew up in the agriculture industry ranching with her family and now works in international red meat marketing. She also competes in the breakaway roping event with her horse, Shorty, and supports her husband's Professional Rodeo career. Mental wellness is important to Kirsty as the physicality of health is visible but the struggle we all face internally has more impact on our lives and all aspects of our relationships.

Lachlan is an Australian Professional saddle bronc rider who has been competing in Alberta, Canada, since 2018. Lachlan grew up on the land working cattle, riding horses and competing in various sports. Lach currently finds himself competing at the CPRA and PRCA rodeos and is a two-time Canadian Finals Rodeo Qualifier.

Mental wellness is important to Lachlan as the mental aspect of rodeo and life is crucial to health and success inside and outside of the arena.

Alessa was born and raised in the south of Germany. After completing vet school there, she moved to Canada and became a beef cattle veterinarian. Besides being part of the beef industry, she enjoys the horse world and local rodeos, making much of her life happen in, and revolve around, rural and agricultural communities. With that comes a close connection to the people in it, which invariably results in sharing the highs and lows, the exhaustion and joy, the big and small wins, and everything in between. Making mental wellness a core part of her role within the community. 

Kane grew up in Manitoba where his family ran a cow-calf operation doing every bit of work on horseback. Rodeoed all through high school alongside his family, before attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University on a rodeo scholarship riding bulls. Post graduation Kane moved to Alberta and worked on multiple farms/feedlots in the Acme and Crossfield area. After retiring from bull riding he started shoeing horses with his wife, Riley. 

Outside of work, he likes to work some more. Between training horses, keeping a small herd of cows, and competing in the farrier industry, there isn’t many corners of his life not dedicated to agriculture. 

“The Porch Light Society really hit home to me because I have been a part of Rodeo and agriculture in many different ways and have seen the effects of mental health around every corner.”

Riley was born and raised in the Madden area, and after high school graduation, she went to Kentucky to pursue a career in farriery. She has been running a successful business for 12 years, now alongside her husband, Kane. They are both competitive farriers, always trying to get better and pushing their skills and knowledge to the test. 

Outside of her professional life, Riley likes to garden, work border collies, and rope a little when life allows. 

“Being a part of Porch Light allows me to give back to the communities that have raised me, and help people understand that it’s okay to need a hand once in a while.”

Madeline was born and raised in Calgary, AB, and currently lives in Olds. She is a Journeyman farrier who practices in Mountain and Rocky View counties. She has been shoeing horses for eight years, and the in the last two years, entered into the role as Instructor Assistant and Anatomy Instructor for the Olds College Farrier Science Program. 

“Mental health is a fundamental part of my life as I am a survivor of sexual assult. It took me down a dark and difficult path of healing and recovering. Without access to therapy resources and the unwavering support of my family and friends I wouldn't be here today. Which is why I believe organizations like Porch Light and our support is crucial to keeping our rural communities strong, healthy and thriving.”

Beth grew up on a small diversified farm in SE Queensland, Australia and has spent the last 9 years calling Alberta home. Professionally, she has worked for a nonprofit group representing farmers in the beef, sheep and wool, and grains industries in Australia, and has enjoyed working in the infield at Calgary Stampede for the past 7 years. She has seen first hand how open conversations around mental health can drastically improve situations, 'give permission' for people to get the help they need without the stigma surrounding it and move towards mental wellness. Even when it's not a case of life or death, she believes mental wellness contributes to improved life quality for the whole community. 

Breanna is currently a communications student at Mount Royal University in Calgary, where she was raised. With deep roots in the horsemanship community, the rodeo world, and 11 years of involvement in 4-H, she has found her place in the rural community despite her urban upbringing. 

Her passion for the psychological sciences has fueled her commitment to mental health, both for herself and her community, is a topic she is eager to shed light on in rural areas. Breanna firmly believes that noone should navigate life alone, and she is proud to be part of the Porch Light team, working towards their mission of bridging the gap in mental health support for rural communities.