A few words
About Us
Ready to help
The Staff
Christine
NCPRSS, CEAC (Certified Equine Assisted Coach), Certified HeartMath Coach, Shamanic Reiki Practitioner
Christine DiFrancesco’s journey to founding Serenity Stables is deeply rooted in two defining parts of her life: recovery and horses. Originally from upstate New York, Christine lived throughout the United States before settling in Colorado with her husband and daughter in 2014.
Christine’s own long-term recovery from addiction inspired her to build a career helping others affected by substance use and life challenges. Combined with more than 40 years of experience working with and training horses, her personal journey became the foundation for Serenity Stables.
Christine has worked alongside counselors, therapists, social workers, and treatment professionals, giving her a unique understanding of how equine-facilitated learning can complement traditional treatment and recovery services. Through activities with horses, mindfulness, and practical life skills, she helps individuals strengthen self-awareness, build confidence, overcome barriers, and develop tools for everyday life.
Her belief in the power of horses comes from firsthand experience. Christine often speaks of the “wisdom of the herd” – lessons in authenticity, trust, boundaries, connection, and living in the present moment. These principles have played an important role in her own recovery and remain at the heart of her work today.
A few years into her recovery, Christine and her family purchased a six-acre ranch in Elizabeth, Colorado, where her vision for Serenity Stables came to life. Today, the peaceful ranch and its herd provide a unique environment where individuals can reconnect with themselves and discover what is possible in recovery and beyond.
Gerald
CPFS, Certified HeartMath Coach, Shamanic Reiki Practitioner
Gerald Mrasak’s journey has been one of challenge, transformation, and gratitude. After more than 30 years of addiction, Gerald entered recovery in 2017, beginning a journey that profoundly reshaped his life, perspective, and sense of purpose.
In 2020, Gerald and his wife, Christine, purchased a six-acre ranch in Elizabeth, Colorado, where their shared vision for Serenity Stables began to take shape. Drawing from their own experiences in recovery and a deep belief in the power of connection, they created a place where horses, experiential learning, and a peaceful ranch environment could help others strengthen their own recovery.
Gerald brings a unique combination of lived experience, leadership, and more than 30 years of professional experience in the communications industry to Serenity Stables. His personal understanding of addiction and long-term recovery allows him to connect with individuals from a place of authenticity, compassion, and mutual understanding.
As President of Serenity Stables Foundation: A Fence of Recovery, Gerald is committed to expanding access to equine-facilitated learning and recovery-focused services for individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to them. Giving back to the recovery community that played such an important role in his own journey remains deeply meaningful to him.
Gerald’s recovery has inspired a passion for walking alongside others as they rebuild their lives. Together with Christine and the Serenity Stables team, he is helping create a community centered on connection, hope, personal growth, and the belief that meaningful change is possible.
Kelsey
B.S. Integrative Health Care, CPFS, Certified Gestalt Equine Specialist, Certified Yoga Instructor
Kelsey Nemechek brings a unique combination of lived experience, education, compassion, and a lifelong connection with horses to her work at Serenity Stables. Growing up in Colorado, she spent much of her childhood riding and caring for horses, experiences that shaped her belief in their ability to support connection, self-awareness, and personal growth.
Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health Care and is continuing her education toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her commitment to continued learning reflects the same dedication she brings to the individuals she serves. Her approach integrates equine-facilitated learning, mindfulness, movement, and trauma-informed practices to support the whole person.
As a woman in active and sustained recovery, Kelsey brings authenticity, compassion, and lived experience to her work. She understands the importance of meeting people where they are while helping them recognize their strengths, build resilience, and develop greater confidence in themselves.
Kelsey is a deeply valued member of the Serenity Stables team and brings genuine care and dedication to everything she does. She finds tremendous purpose in being a mother and in walking alongside others on their own journeys of recovery and growth. Through her work at Serenity Stables, Kelsey helps create a safe, welcoming environment where individuals can reconnect with themselves, discover their strengths, and continue moving toward lasting well-being.
Ocean
Ocean is a registered AQHA grey mare with a striking blue eye and a calm, grounding presence. She is a quiet leader in the herd, offering a steady confidence that others naturally respond to. Soft, gentle, and emotionally intuitive, Ocean carries herself with deep self assurance. She is always the first at the fence, eager to greet people and ready to engage with whatever the day brings. Her confidence creates a sense of safety, making her especially supportive for those learning trust, regulation, and connection. Ocean adds a beautiful balance to the Serenity Stables herd. She is pastured with Sancho, and the two have formed a strong bond, modeling healthy companionship and attunement. Her presence reminds clients that strength does not need to be loud, and that calm leadership can be deeply healing. Ocean is honored to be part of the Serenity Stables mission, where her steady heart and gentle spirit help others reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
Sullivan (Sulli)
Sulli is a very large 17-year-old Warmblood/Thoroughbred, standing at 17.2hh. He is an Alpha male and very social. He likes to be the center of attention and has a lot of personality. Sulli was trained in dressage in his former years. Due to arthritis, he enjoys just being a therapy horse, and finds joy and purpose in his new career. His specialties are he helps people with self-confidence, mindfulness, and boundaries large in part because of his size, he commands your attention.
Sancho
Sancho is a 19-year-old Appendix, a cross between a Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred. Exceptionally well-trained in multiple disciplines, Sancho has quite the resume. Over the years, he has packed elk out of the mountains, barrel raced, roped, herded cattle, show jumped, and worked as a lesson horse. Today, he has added another important role to his long list of accomplishments as a valued member of the Serenity Stables herd. Sancho stepped into equine-facilitated learning with incredible willingness. He is affectionate, steady, and known for giving out kisses, quickly making him a favorite among many clients. He has a way of helping people feel comfortable and grounded simply by being in his presence. One of Sancho’s greatest gifts is how differently he responds to each individual. He is an incredible example of the way horses mirror our energy, emotions, boundaries, and communication. With one person he may seek closeness, while with another he may create space, become completely still, or ask for something different from them. His responses often give clients an opportunity to recognize something within themselves that may have been difficult to see otherwise. Sancho’s experience, gentle nature, and remarkable ability to connect make him a very special part of Serenity Stables. He reminds us that some of the most powerful lessons do not need words.
Chief
Chief is an 8-year-old Belgian Draft and Quarter Horse cross with a lifetime of experience packed into his young years. Before coming to Serenity Stables, Chief lived the cowboy life on a working ranch, where he proved himself to be dependable, versatile, and willing to take on just about any job. Chief spent time as a hunting horse in the mountains, often trusted to carry beginner riders through rugged terrain. He was also used to pack elk out of the mountains, worked in team roping, learned to drive a cart both single and double, and even served as a trusted horse for the ranch owner’s grandchildren. Weighing approximately 1,500 pounds, Chief is the largest horse in the Serenity Stables herd, but he may also be the gentlest. His calm, steady nature makes people feel comfortable around him, and despite his impressive size, Chief is incredibly affectionate and absolutely loves hugs. Chief brings a quiet confidence to the herd. His strength, patience, and gentle spirit remind us that being powerful does not mean you cannot also be soft. After a life filled with different jobs and adventures, Chief now uses that steady presence to help people feel safe, connected, and grounded at Serenity Stables.
Kevin
Before joining the Serenity Stables herd, Kevin proudly served with the Arapahoe County Mounted Unit, where he completed the Mounted Unit Academy and learned to work alongside his human partners in a variety of environments. His graduation photo, complete with his cap, is a perfect reflection of the special horse he is. Kevin absolutely loves having a job and a sense of purpose. He is almost always the first horse waiting at the gate, ready to see what the day has in store. That willingness to show up and participate makes him a natural fit for the work at Serenity Stables. For such a big, accomplished horse, Kevin is also incredibly affectionate. He craves attention, has a habit of licking just about everything like a dog, and when someone begins petting him, his eyes slowly close as he settles into the moment and enjoys every second. Kevin’s story is a beautiful reminder that purpose can change throughout our lives without losing its meaning. His job may look different today, but he still gets to serve, connect, and make a difference, just in a new way. At Serenity Stables, Kevin has found his next purpose, helping others as they discover theirs.