Open session Wednesdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM all Veterans may attend. Call 612-978-1741 or just show up!

〰️

Open session Wednesdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM all Veterans may attend. Call 612-978-1741 or just show up! 〰️

"Veterans Together"

A place where those who have served can connect, reflect, and support one another. Here, we honor the bond forged through service and recognize the unique challenges Veterans face—balancing duty, family, career, and personal growth. Though each journey is different, we stand united by experience, resilience, and respect. We are individuals, and yet, we are all Veterans.

Groups meet for 6 sessions (2 hours each).

   New group sessions will start Spring 2026.

Individual sessions are available year round!

-No cost to participants thanks to our donors!

*First Responders are also encouraged to reach out for reduced cost services.

Join the Next Veterans Group

Honored to Share My Story

Kathy Friedrich, Gateway Meadows’ founder, was honored to be featured in the Minnesota Gulf War Veterans Interview Series. Hear her story in Episodes 11 and 16. You can listen to the episodes on Apple podcasts here or on PRX.

Benefits for Veterans and First Responders

PROGRAMS: Focused on Veteran and First Responder needs such as camaraderie, PTSD, relationships and recovery.

Goals: These sessions are grounded in the belief that each individual holds the wisdom and strength to heal, grow, and thrive. Through connection with horses and a supportive environment, participants are encouraged to pursue personalized goals, including:

  • Rediscovering Purpose
    Exploring what brings meaning and direction to life after military service.

  • Healing from Trauma
    Creating a safe, non-judgmental space to process and release emotional wounds.

  • Managing Life’s Demands
    Building resilience and practical strategies for navigating daily stressors and transitions.

  • Reconnecting with Self and Others
    Strengthening emotional awareness, trust, and communication through the intuitive presence of horses.

  • Empowering Personal Growth
    Setting and achieving goals that reflect each veteran’s unique journey and values.

These goals are not imposed—they emerge from within, supported by the healing presence of horses and the guidance of compassionate facilitators.

Benefits of Participation

By connecting Veterans and First Responders with peers who share similar experiences and challenges, these sessions foster a sense of belonging and trust, resulting in:

  • Increased self-awareness

  • Moving past trauma and emotional barriers

  • Enhanced acceptance

  • Improved communication skills

  • Elevated coping strategies

  • Stronger, healthier relationships

  • Overall improvements in health and well-being

  • Achievement of personal goals

  • Improved problem-solving skills

Get in Touch with Gateway Meadows

What Gateway meadows has done for me.

Gateway meadows was a very positive and rewarding experience that allowed me to process and work through the struggles of PTSD from the Iraq war where I served as a infantryman and every day life that followed since coming home. Kathy along with her staff and the amazing animals with their holistic, professional and respectful approach to therapy was very beneficial and rewarding to me as a veteran who struggled for many years to find a good fit for therapy services to begin working through and addressing issues. My time in the groups and with the horses allowed me to let go of trauma and stressors that was holding me back for many years. Upon completion of the program I walked away with less weight on my shoulders and a newfound purpose and outlook on life. I looked forward to every session every week and knew every time I completed a session I knew that I had made more progress in my personnel growth to overcome that which kept me down. I highly suggest and encourage other veterans and service members that are struggling to utilize the services of Gateway Meadows as my experience has allowed me to be put back together after i thought i was broken and left me with a renewed peace of mind that I can overcome struggles and adversity.

Patrick-Veteran

Veteran Session Facilitators

See more: About

Team/Leadership

Kathy Friedrich was an army nurse during the Gulf War. She is certified as a coach and an ARCH certified professional who incorporates horses into her practice.

Shannon Solomon is an army Veteran certified by EAGALA as both a Mental Health counselor and Equine Specialist.