Finding hope in tragedy: Grieving therapist Victoria Fluhart and her husband turn devastation into opportunity after losing their beloved horse Onyx in a tornado.

Equine therapy entrepreneur Victoria Fluhart and her husband, Justin, are grieving the loss of their beloved mare Onyx after a tornado hit Waterloo recently. The couple had recently relocated to the area to start their equine therapy business on a property owned by Brandon Johnson of Jamico Construction. Fluhart was just days away from hosting an open house for her business when the storm struck, causing significant damage.

Despite the danger, Fluhart’s first priority was to save the horses on the property. In the process, she was injured but managed to rescue several horses. Sadly, Onyx did not survive the storm. Fluhart had owned Onyx for 18 years and considered her not just a horse, but a partner, therapist, and friend.

Although devastated by the loss of Onyx, Fluhart is determined to continue pursuing her dream of offering equine therapy in the community. With the support of the community, she and her husband are now focusing on rebuilding their business. They plan to construct a new building on the property and hope to host their open house this summer thanks to donations from the community.

Fluhart expressed gratitude for the help they have received during the cleanup process and sees this as an opportunity to start anew. While the road ahead may not be easy, she is determined to honor Onyx’s memory by fulfilling their shared dream of offering equine therapy services to the community.