For many years, Steph has worked as a veterinary assistant at the Humane Society clinic, where her compassion and dedication shine through daily. She helps heal sick and injured animals, assists pets in finding their forever homes, and opens her own home as an animal foster parent—providing temporary care and love to animals in transition. This work reflects the same principles of care, patience, and harmony that she brings to her Aikido practice. Her experience nurturing animals through difficult times has taught her the importance of gentle persistence and creating safe spaces for growth—skills that translate beautifully to her teaching on the mat. Students appreciate her unique teaching style that blends philosophical discussions with creative games and activities, exploring deep Aikido principles in novel and engaging ways while helping them develop confidence and technique at their own pace.

A woman wearing sunglasses and a pink shirt taking a selfie outdoors with a black and gray dog, on a trail surrounded by trees and mountains under a blue sky.
Three people kneeling on a martial arts dojo floor, dressed in traditional martial arts uniforms, with a portrait of an elderly man in the background.
A woman wearing a navy blue shirt with a name tag that reads 'Steph Veterinary Assistant' and 'Humane Society of Utah,' smiling as a black and white dog licks her face, standing on her shoulder by a window with a blue sky and trees outside.