ABOUT
Creating Pathways to Wellness
Our Team
I aspire to give people tools to help build their own foundation of healing from trauma and PTSD.”
Christina Major, Founder of Cooper's Crossroad
"The seed of Cooper’s Crossroad was planted the day I walked out of a 30-day inpatient program at Sierra Tucson for PTSD and trauma in August 2016. Having hit a hard low in my life, I was helped there with the loving guidance of friends and family. At the time I was carrying baggage left from early childhood trauma that came with a laundry list of diagnoses.
I consider my time at Sierra Tucson “college on steroids.” I am more proud of my “degree” from there than any other degree achieved to date. At Sierra Tucson I started my own pathway to healing which continues to this day. My education regarding the negative impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences over a lifetime was also kick-started there. This knowledge allowed me to see my life and others who have experienced trauma through a different lens, and it left me with a burning desire to raise awareness about the effects of childhood adversity and trauma. This happened in December 2017 when Cooper’s Crossroad officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization."
Christina Major speaks publicly and openly about her past, using humor and honesty to share the difficult themes of her own journey with eating disorders, over-exercising, sexual abuse, grief, addiction, and recovery. Christina is honored to share her story and inspire others. To inquire about booking a speaking engagement, please email us.
Listen to the April 2024 radio interview with Cooper's Crossroad Founder, Christina Major!
Our Barn Manager, Erin Ballard
Erin Ballard spent the first 10 years of her life in Boulder, CO. Her adventures with horses began at the age of five when she started taking riding lessons. This passion with horses and animals has followed her to date. The animals, and in particular her connection to horses, has helped her through major life transitions.
She attended a long-term treatment center/boarding school for teenagers who have experienced adversity and trauma in Utah. Here she learned about EFL, or Equine Facilitated Learning. During treatment, the work with horses was an integral part of her healing process. Once graduating from the program, Erin continued the work with EFL in Durango, CO.
After many moves, Erin landed in Keene, NH, where she graduated high school in 2018. She soon started taking riding lessons at Dusty Dog Horse Farm. This is when she met her soon to become mentor, trainer, and friend, Christina Major. In 2020 Erin began working full time at Dusty Dog Horse farm, teaching riding lessons and assisting with horse care and management.
Erin completed her education with The HERD Institute to gain her degree in EFL and teaching in April of 2021. This is when she became a facilitator of Cooper’s Crossroad’s equine facilitated programs, and was hired as Cooper’s Crossroad’s barn manager. In addition, she oversees and trains Cooper’s Crossroad’s volunteers at Elm Farm. Her love and passion for horses, and the healing we can gain from the work with horses, is what inspires her daily.
