Animals as a whole, and horses in particular, have been the most constant good thing in Autumn Stanfield’s life.

The Murray State student, Clark County native and Clark County Animal Shelter employee started working with horses when she was 10, thanks to a neighbor who had two thoroughbreds.

“She started taking me with her and teaching me how to brush them and care for them,” Stanfield said. “She had a friend who gave (horse riding) lessons, so I got free lessons, and I’ve been horse crazy ever since.”

Around that same time, Stanfield’s birth mother died and she lived with her grandparents, which she said was not a good situation.

Horses, she said, provided a needed distraction and something to focus on. There were opportunities to compete, both on the show field and in the arena, with horses as well, she said.

“It gave me something to think about,” she said. “It takes your mind off all the bad in your life. Horses have shown me hard work does pay off. Without being adopted and horses, there wasn’t much giving me any ambition in my life.”

Stanfield was adopted when she was 16, sand ultimately became the first in her family to go to college when she enrolled at Murray State University to major in equine business and management.

“I’d like to find a farm locally where I can use my (experience) and get back into the world of horses,” she said.

About nine months ago, Stanfield said she came home to help her father take care of the farm when her mother became ill.

“I needed a job,” she said. “I’ve always had a love for animals.”

One day, Stanfield brought a litter of kittens to the shelter and saw the shelter was hiring. A couple days after applying, Stanfield said she got the job.

Working at the shelter means taking care of the animals, accepting animals that are brought in as well as helping adopt animals, administering the animals’ medication and cleaning the facility.

“That’s what I love about this place,” she said. “There’s always something to be done. It’s nice to know we made a difference for someone.”