Our Services
Mental health and personal development programs provide a complementary approach to other health care services. Programs are individualized to meet your needs. Although those who attend often have diagnoses such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, cancer, chronic pain, or experience struggles with interpersonal relationships, our focus is to move past whatever is holding you back and help you find your path to living a fulfilled meaningful life.
Organizational development programs are also available. See below for more information.
New Healthcare Professionals Workshop!!
Embrace the opportunity to rejuvenate your spirit and gain new perspectives on your vital work in community with other healthcare professionals. In ground work activities with horses, this day and a half workshop will create the space needed to guide and support you on your wellbeing journey and return you to your practice with renewed energy and clarity.
CEUs available!!
Two workshops available:
Friday, May 9th, 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturday, May 10th, 9:00am - 5:30pm OR Friday, June 13th, 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturday, June 14th, 9:00am - 5:30pm
Cost $350 (Includes, light snacks on both days and lunch on Saturday)
Meet your facilitators
Roberta Cassidy, PhD, RN, FNTP, CNFTG is a highly experienced Nursing leader. Certified as a Forest Therapy Guide and Work That Reconnects facilitator, she collaborates with others on their journey of wellbeing by engaging in a variety of holistic, relationship- and nature-centered approaches. Her true passion in life is in service to the journey of personal and professional wellbeing in service to the greater good of the whole.
Kathy Friedrich, RN, MBA, MHA, NC-BC is the Founder, Executive Director of Gateway Meadows Equine-Assisted Services. She is certified as a coach by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation and is an Arenas for Change (ARCH) certified professional. Kathy is passionate about providing programs designed to aid Veterans and service industry professionals in their holistic health journeys and enjoys facilitating team development to strengthen organizations.
Shannon Solomon, MA, LPCC is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who incorporates equines in her practice. She is Eagala certified as both a Mental Health and Equine Specialist. Shannon has seen first hand how horses can help transform a person’s wellbeing. She loves to work alongside the horses to create a renewed mind and body.
For more information Email: cassidy.roberta1@gmail.com or kathyfriedrich@gatewaymeadows.org
How We’re Unique:
Our personal development programs are led by Kathy, a certified nurse coach and Veteran. Kathy facilitates coaching sessions by allowing you to tell your story and lived experiences, while processing it with the horses surrounded by the calming presence of nature.
Our mental health sessions are led by Shannon, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and Veteran. Shannon has focused her practice on those who have experienced severe trauma whether they were kids or adults. Shannon incorporates horses into her sessions and is Eagala certified as both a Mental Health and Equine Specialist.
Gateway Meadows partners with other facilitators for additional programs as needed.
Empowering You:
Gateway Meadows provides a safe environment where you can express your feelings, hopes, goals, and dreams and share your vulnerability, pain, and suffering—for healing and wellness. Research shows that through recognizing and altering your personal story, you have the power to transform not only your thoughts, beliefs, and actions but also the way you experience and live life.
Other Gateway Meadows’ Team Members include:
An Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL PATH Int’l Certified, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International). Specially trained to support activities with the horses while ensuring individual and animal safety.
Volunteers serve as horse handlers, ensuring the safety of participants and horses. In addition, we have a photographer, communications specialist, and ranch help.
Board of Directors are actively engaged in helping build our programs and fulfilling our mission.
Service Offerings
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Veteran/First Responder Group Sessions
Group sessions vary and often consist of six, two-and-a-half hour sessions for up to eight participants. Sessions are facilitated by a Nurse Coach and Equine Specialist and include various groundwork activities with the horses. Participants vary and may include women only, Veterans only or mixed groups. Individuals can join a group scheduled at a time that works for them.
We also encourage organizations such as the National Guard units, police or fire stations, paramedics, or others to sponsor a group from your organization who could benefit from these sessions.
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Individual Mental Health or Holistic Health Coaching Sessions
One hour sessions are available for Veterans and First Responders and may be led by our nurse coach or mental health counselor based on individual needs and interests. Our mental health counselor may see other clients based on availability.
The focus of each session is based on the participant’s needs.
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Family Sessions
Family sessions are available for one family or combined families depending on group size. These sessions are focused on and tailored to the group’s needs. Family sessions may be led by the the nurse coach or mental health clinician.
Activities will include the horses and be chosen based on the age and abilities of group members.
Benefits of Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans and First Responders
PROGRAMS: Focused on Veteran and First Responder needs such as PTSD, suicide prevention, recovery, and camaraderie.
GOALS: Individualized, personal goals are based on the belief that you have the capacity to find purpose and meaning in your life and have the ability to heal from trauma with the right help.
APPROACH: With a holistic approach to equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) and equine-assisted learning (EAL) , we address physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual components of health—recognizing they’re all connected.
BENEFITS: Are achieved by connecting Veterans and First Responders with peers who have similar experiences and challenges—to promote feelings of belonging and trust, resulting in:
Increased self-awareness
Move past trauma and emotional barriers
Enhanced acceptance
Improved communication skills
Elevated coping skills
Better relationships
Overall improvements in health and well-being
Achieved personal goals
Improved problem solving skills
Participant Testimonial
“Yesterday had a PROFOUND impact on me, already from day one. I spent the evening processing it. It was intense at times, but the pain and triggers were softened and made manageable by the horses, surroundings, steps, observations, boundaries… Thank you for your passion and dedication to healing and wholeness and for starting this experience to touch humans who will benefit from it.” ~Veteran
Sessions for Organizations
Sessions are typically one day and tailored to meet your organizational goals, such as:
team building,
goal setting,
improving communication,
listening to the customer,
and creative problem solving.
Contact: Kathy Friedrich for more information
(612) 978-1741
kathyfriedrich@gatewaymeadows.org
