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Welcome to one of the most
quietly powerful healing valleys
in Colorado.
Paonia and the North Fork Valley are known for something deeper than farm to table food and beautiful views. It's known for the way people come here to root. To rest. To remember a forgotten way of life.
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This is a place many describe as a healing portal. A land that calls in people who aren’t seeking status, speed, or noise,
but connection.
To the land.
To the herd.
To their own bodies again.
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Our valley is filled with licensed mental-health therapists, somatic practitioners, herbalists, yoga teachers, energy workers, bodyworkers, artists, musicians, and ceremony holders. What makes them extraordinary isn’t just their training .... it’s their humility. Their lived experience. Their commitment to walking the same healing path they guide others through.
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This collective is not a lineup of experts placed above you.
This is a circle, one where everyone sits at the same level, held by the same land, learning and unlearning together.
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At Wild Pine, we gather this community of practitioners so you can experience the full spectrum of healing possible here, from clinical therapy to somatic practices, from creative arts to equine-guided wisdom, from spiritual ritual to science-backed bodywork.
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This is true reciprocity:
People who have done their work, felt the call of this land, and now give back by walking alongside you.
Drawn by the Land
Many practitioners moved here because they felt called — a pull toward mountains, quiet, and community. The land itself shapes their work.
Rooted in Lived Experience
Our collective is made of people who have lived, learned, healed, and risen. They don’t preach healing — they embody it.
Science Meets Spirit
Offerings blend evidence-based modalities with nature, energy, creativity, and equine intelligence.
Reciprocal Healing
Healing here isn’t one-directional. It’s shared — horse to human, practitioner to participant, land to heart.
Deeply Trauma-Informed
Every practitioner is trained in trauma sensitivity, nervous-system awareness, and consent-centered support.
At the heart of it all
Kat Collins
Wild Pine Co-Founder Somatic Practitioner My life has always been shaped by the quiet wisdom of animals. I grew up with horses as my refuge, and later spent more than a decade in veterinary medicine as a technician, practice manager, and corporate wellness advocate for over 300 veterinary teams. I learned firsthand how deeply people hurt — and how deeply they care. Along the way, I became a trauma-aware executive coach, Reiki practitioner & bodyworker, and yoga teacher, not by accident but by survival. Healing became the path that brought me back into my body, my breath, and my truth. In 2019, I landed on a piece of land on the Western Slope of Colorado that finally felt like I was home. That land — and the horses who came with it — became Wild Pine. Today it is a sanctuary where people facing hardship, trauma, and transition can find safety and connection, without fear of being priced out of their own healing. My work is simple: I help people come home to themselves — through horses, through somatics, through community, and through the medicine of this valley I’m grateful to call home.
Maryanne Fisco, LPC
Wild Pine Co-Founder Nature Based LPC Ayurvedic Counselor Hi there! My name is Maryanne, and while you might run into me in the mountains and streams of Colorado with my animals, I have a great passion for the growth of others and helping people take small, but impactful, steps toward their most authentic and empowered self. I focus heavily on one's connection to their body and how that impacts their mental field. From mindfulness tools and Ayurvedic breathwork to meditation and in-nature practice, I walk alongside my clients, grounded and reassuring of their truth. My services could be a great resource for you or someone you know because I believe there are many avenues of healing that complement talking to a professional. I am driven to wholeheartedly support my clients on their journey towards a more aligned reality. It can be daunting to reach out for help when our reality feels like it is crumbling, and to share this with someone in hopes of positive change is a courageous feat. I offer a multi-modal approach to healing that can include: - Somatic Grounding & Mindfulness - Ayurvedic breathwork/meditations - Animal/Equine Assisted Therapy - Attachment and Codependency in Relationships - Behavioral Pattern Sorting, Releasing, and Restructuring - Young Adult Development - Athlete's Mindset - Processing and Breaking Generational Patterns - Various forms of trauma* - Self-Empowerment/Self-Esteem *EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) modalities are also offered to help in processing past events. If you feel that we might be a good fit, I encourage you to reach out. Together, we can explore the paths to healing and work towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Sherry Peterson
Equine Specialist Sherry has spent her entire life in partnership with horses. Born in Montrose and raised in the mountains of Ouray County, she grew up in her family’s Ouray Livery Barn, guiding trail rides by the time she was eleven. Horsemanship wasn’t something she learned — it was the air she breathed. When her parents retired, Sherry took over the Livery to continue the legacy she loved. And even when the economy forced her to close the barn, she refused to part with her horses or the dream. She trusted the right path would open — and it did. After moving to Austin, Colorado, Sherry felt a new calling emerge: helping people heal through horses. With decades of riding, guiding, and deeply intuitive horse experience, she now blends practical horsemanship with heart-centered connection work that supports confidence, clarity, and emotional restoration. Today, through Dare to Dream Equine and her partnership with Wild Pine, Sherry shares the healing power of her herd. Her presence is grounded, humble, and shaped by a lifetime of listening to horses — and helping others learn to listen, too. Connect: www.daretodreamincorporated.com
Sara Mccurley
Licensed Veterinary Technician Herbologist My name is Sara. I’m a registered veterinary technician, herbalist, and personal coach with deep roots in western Colorado. Growing up here gave me a lifelong love of the outdoors, animals, and the quiet wisdom that comes from being connected to nature. At my core, I am a Huntress, a Caretaker, a Protector, and a Cheerleader for others. For more than twenty years, I’ve served in the veterinary field, witnessing the profound ways animals heal—and how they help heal the people who love them. Along the way, my curiosity led me into herbology, expanding my understanding of how Mother Nature supports the health and vitality of both humans and animals. My coaching journey began through my own experiences with firearms. I realized there is a wide gap between deciding to become a firearm owner and actually feeling confident, aligned, and empowered in that journey. That’s why I created Align Your Sights and Goals, a personalized coaching approach designed to help people develop clarity, confidence, and success with firearms in a way that feels safe, efficient, and aligned with their individual goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all path to firearm ownership. I’m here to help transform the overwhelm into grounded confidence—to help you trust yourself, expand your knowledge, and grow through the process. Wild Pine Equine Wellness and Sanctuary offers another dimension of this work, blending nature, animals, and personal empowerment to support healing and self-discovery on a deeper level. AlignYourSightsAndGoals.com
Amy vandewater
Glue Veterinary Coaching Founder With more than forty years in the veterinary field, Amy brings a rare combination of expertise in emotional intelligence, leadership development, and team cultures. She is the founder of Glue Veterinary Coaching, a national program specializing in veterinary culture-building, leadership development, and burnout prevention. Through Glue, she has supported hundreds of hospitals and other executive groups, in creating healthier, more connected teams and sustainable practice systems. Her work centers on helping veterinary professionals strengthen emotional intelligence, improve team dynamics, and build leadership skills that create lasting cultural change. She has developed an entire online learning platform for veterinary teams, offering CE courses on emotional intelligence, culture, leadership skills, client experience, and conflict resolution. Her approach blends practical tools with a deep understanding of the people behind veterinary medicine. At Wild Pine, Amy brings her expertise in team dynamics, leadership EQ , interpersonal communication, and her skills in navigating compassion fatigue, to help clients navigate professional burnout, workplace stress, and relational challenges. She offers workshops, coaching sessions, and online resources that bridge the gap between professional expectations and human well-being. She believes that healing happens through connection — within teams, within communities, and within ourselves — and her work is grounded in the simple truth that emotionally healthy people create healthier outcomes for animals and clients. Ways to connect: www.GrowWithGlue.com Amy@growwithglue.com
Tanya Blacklight
Ordained Minister, Ritualist, Oracle & Teacher, Intuitive Energy Healer & Temple Dancer I assist others in Rebirthing themselves, moving through the Transitions of Life. The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. I am a Midwife of your Creative Potential. Without the Darkness, how could we see the Light? Allow me to hold your hand through the Darkness. I believe in Magic, Love, and Reclamation. I am a Pleasure Activist: one who intentionally creates space for pleasure in their daily life, and helps others do the same. As a Tantric and Eco Sexual, I am here to Embody Love. As You Heal, I Heal, We all Heal. Let’s deepen into Intimacy and connection Together. By offering communal ceremonies, dance rituals, empowerment circles, earth and geomancy rites, and services as a death and grief guide, I am a Priestess of Isis. I hold an intimate relationship with the Life/Death Cycles and Seasons. My path supports the creative powers of human potential of life force energy within all things. This work is deeply rooted in Empowerment and Sovereignty for all Sentient Beings. As a Spiritual Midwife, I am here to support Your Creative Self from Birth to Death with readings, healings and rituals online or in person, In Chi Nei Tsang, Womb Wisdom, Reiki, Trauma healing for individuals and/or couples, circles and land, and all the initiations and stages. Contact: (970) 261-9672 blacklight.oracle1@ gmail.com
Sloane Milstein
Founder of Mustang West Artists Photographer/Creative My name is Sloane Milstein, and my journey as a photographer began with a family member, a manual camera, and a class. What started as a creative outlet has evolved into a unique path blending my love for photography, woodworking, and the Western lifestyle. As the founder of Mustang West Artists, I create work that highlights the beauty of mustangs, burros, and the rugged grace of the Western landscape. My collections include: Behind the Chute: A Photographic Journey of Colorado Mesa University Rodeo Team The Descendants: A Photographic Journey of Colorado Mustangs Senior Boots: A Photographic Journey of Parson's Mounted Cavalry Before turning to photography full-time, I had a long career as an equestrian professional. I was an elite competitor, NCAA coach, and United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Steward. My expertise spans hunter jumpers, three-day eventing, side saddle, modern pentathlon, dressage, with additional experience in western reining and polo. This foundation informs my ability to capture the unique bond between horses and humans, emphasizing themes of freedom, strength, and connection. My creative journey began on Colorado’s Western Slope, where I documented mustangs, rodeos, and landscapes. Through this work, I advocate for equine preservation and collaborate with local artisans, nonprofits, and galleries to make a positive impact in my community. I am also passionate about mentoring others, whether it’s through photography lessons or hosting workshops to inspire creativity. When I’m not working, I love spending time outdoors—hiking, rock climbing, and paddling—with my dog, Slick, by my side. I hope you enjoy my art as much as I have enjoyed creating it! - Sloane
Jessie Melison Edwards, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker More info coming soon!
I am a Trauma-Informed Embodiment Guide specializing in breathwork, massage therapy, energy work, sound healing, yoga, meditation and intuitive guidance offering 1:1 sessions, classes, events, and retreats.
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My approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, providing a safe and nurturing environment for your journey towards wholeness. I believe in the power of an individualized and multi-faceted holistic approach to restore balance and promote well-being.
It my ultimate wish and intention is that each individual has the felt-sense experience of safety, peace and home in one’s body, mind and heart.
Katie Snyder
Trauma-Informed Embodiment Guide Massage Therapist I am a Trauma-Informed Embodiment Guide specializing in breathwork, massage therapy, energy work, sound healing, yoga, meditation and intuitive guidance offering 1:1 sessions, classes, events, and retreats. ​ My approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, providing a safe and nurturing environment for your journey towards wholeness. I believe in the power of an individualized and multi-faceted holistic approach to restore balance and promote well-being. It my ultimate wish and intention is that each individual has the felt-sense experience of safety, peace and home in one’s body, mind and heart. Ways to connect: www.becomeunfurled.com sunflowersnyder@gmail.com
Leona davis
Cosmetologist Wink Wink Salon (970) 417-6606
What ties this collective together isn’t a modality, it’s a mindset:
Healing is not a performance. It’s a remembering.
A return to truth.
A return to the places inside us that have been waiting to exhale.
Everyone you meet here is committed to doing their own inner work daily, imperfectly, honestly.
From that place, they offer their wisdom to you.
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Here, we are not fixing people.
We are walking with people
as they rise, soften, release, and return to themselves.