Marie Ridgeway & Associates

As a first responder therapist here in Minnesota, I am reaching out to share a special mission close to my heart. I am raising funds for Art Heart and Hoofbeats-Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, an amazing organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating horses in need, giving them a safe place to heal and thrive.

Together, we have launched Blue HeARTs & Hoofbeats, a unique program that offers Equine Assisted Therapy and Support specifically for public safety personnel in Minnesota. We believe every horse deserves a second chance, and every first responder needs a supportive outlet for their own health and healing. Through this partnership, the rescued equines become partners in recovery for those who serve our communities.

Your support goes directly toward the operating costs of Art Heart and Hoofbeats—helping provide essential care, veterinary services, feed, medications, and all that it takes to maintain the farm and care for the horses. Every donation, no matter the size, makes it possible for these beautiful animals to continue helping first responders on their path to healing.

If you can, please consider contributing or sharing our mission. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for the horses and the heroes who need us most. Thank you for your kindness and support!

www.gofundme.com

Lots of love today to our law enforcement officers and first responders from our therapy dogs Kali (left) and Charlie (right) and the whole clinician team.
We love getting to work with all of you! 💕

An article written by Marie of Ridgeway and Associates that illuminates the way we can't bring our body somewhere our mind has never been.

First Responder Mindset: 3 Principles for High Performance - Cordico Public safety professionals have demanding careers. Learn about 3 principles for developing a first responder mindset for high performance.

Charlie the puppy doing what he does best!

Look at that sweet face...makes you feel a little better already doesn't it?
Therapy-dog-in training "Charlie" stopped by with Sergeant Tim Harris this morning to say hello. Both Charlie and Sergeant Harris are attending Peer Support training this week, as part of the Sheriff's Office C.O.R.E. Wellness initiative. Charlie is part of the team at Maria Ridgeway & Associates who specialize in trauma treatment and officer wellness programming.

It's an honor to be part of the WCSO wellness initiative through clinical consultation for their newly formed Peer Support Team.

Mental Health Initiative: Washington County, MN - Sgt. Tim Harris Sheriff Dan Starry and Sgt. Tim Harris of Washington County Sheriff’s Office (MN) spearheaded a mental health initiative at their agency that includes peer t...

"A traumatic event, it turns out, is not simply a hardship to be overcome. Instead, it is transformative. The trauma becomes a dividing line in the survivors' lives. They are different after the event. Sometimes that change is negative- the post traumatic stress symptoms that have received so much attention. But the changes don't end there. Trauma survivors are often pushed by a brush with their own mortality, by the depth of their hardship or even the suffering of others, to find more meaningful and fulfilling ways of understanding who they are and how they want to live. They struggle, but they also change for the better."
Jim Rendon, "Upside: The New Science of Post-Traumatic Growth"

"Imagine being able to make significant progress in healing from post traumatic stress in one therapy session." Read here to find out how this treatment works. It is certainly a favorite of mine for how much relief is felt by my clients in so much less time than other treatments.

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/accelerated-resolution-therapy-art-quick-fix-for-ptsd-0301175

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): Quick Fix for PTSD? Introduced in 2008, accelerated resolution therapy (ART) has shown signs of rapid effectiveness in treating symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Here's a rundown.

I use Accelerated Resolution Therapy to treat anxiety, depression, trauma, phobias, addiction, and more. My clients (of all ages) have been experiencing a remarkable reduction in negative symptoms beginning in the very first session. If you're curious what this is all about, check out this link to a TED Talk by Laney Rosenzweig, the founder of ART therapy.

The ART of Rapid Recovery | Laney Rosenzweig | TEDxSpringfield Trauma and the resulting PTSD negatively affects people throughout the world; the soldier returning from war, a child victim of sexual assault, the mail carr...