Cheryl Miller founded a thriving equine-assisted services organization with her daughter, Dawn, in 1986 in central Indiana called Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources. Agape began as a summer program in partnership with Indiana University’s Bradford Woods and quickly grew to serving over 1,000 kids with various disabilities each summer. Then Cheryl experienced unimaginable loss when Dawn was tragically killed in a domestic violence incidence. Cheryl was critically injured during the shooting and miraculously survived. In today’s episode, Cheryl shares her story and shares the key to turning any tragedy into triumph. She teaches us that nothing is ever wasted and that God can use all things for good.
Episode 29
How to turn Tragedy into Triumph
With Guest Cheryl Miller
, Founder
Agape
Today's Guest
Cheryl Miller
Cheryl A. Miller formerly Cheryl Ann Percifield was born in Austin, Texas and raised in Indianapolis, IN. She received her BS degree from Indiana University in Bloomington and a MS degree from IUPUI in Indianapolis. She taught school for twenty years at Heritage Christian School and while there became an NILD educational therapist. She then initiated an NILD program that provides a therapeutic intervention approach for students with learning differences. Cheryl became a PATH-International certified therapeutic riding instructor and she, along with her daughter, Dawn, started a summer therapeutic riding program for children with physical mental and emotional challenges, as well as children with terminal illnesses. After her daughter's tragic death, Cheryl and her family developed Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, Inc. as a year round program in Cicero, Indiana. Cheryl was the executive director of Agape for twenty years. During that time, Cheryl won numerous awards for her work with Agape. Cheryl and her husband, Jerry, now reside in Florida with some of her family. A portion of all the sales of this book will benefit the participants of Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources, Inc.
What We Talked About
What led Cheryl and her daughter, Dawn, to start a therapeutic riding organization in 1986 How this organization grew to serving over 1,000 kids each summer How her daughter was tragically killed and Cheryl was critically injured Her miraculous survival and healing Her perspective of God and service after unimaginable loss How she persevered through this tragedy to continue growing Agape in order to serve others How our choices can make us bitter or better The key from turning a tragedy into a triumph Her advice on trusting GodAbout the Show
Listen to conversations with leaders and entrepreneurs who have built organizations making a positive impact on the world so you can discover how to expand your impact.
Are you trying to make a difference in this world? On the show, Amanda and guests reveal the path from purpose to impact and all the risks, bumps, and bruises that came along the way so you can be ahead of the curve with your purpose-driven business or organization.
Amanda is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, Partner at Evergreen Results and a founding member of the Built for Impact podcast team. She enjoys spending time with her family, serving others, horseback riding, and spending time in the mountains.