Gateway Meadows Equine-Assisted Services

08/09/2026

🐴💜 Women, Horses & New Perspectives

Looking for a fresh perspective, meaningful connections, personal growth, or simply time to recharge?

Join us this fall at Gateway Meadows for a unique 6-session experience where women come together to learn, grow, and connect through equine-assisted learning.

Based on the positive feedback from our summer programs for women Veterans and women in the community, we're excited to offer this fall group opportunity.

✨ Gain new perspectives and insights
✨ Build confidence and self-awareness
✨ Reduce stress and improve well-being
✨ Navigate change and life's transitions
✨ Connect with horses, nature, and other women

No horse experience necessary. All activities are ground-based (no riding).

See flyer for details and registration information.

📞 Kathy Friedrich: 612-978-1741
🌐 gatewaymeadows.org

Connect. Reflect. Discover New Possibilities. 🐴💜

08/04/2026

🐴🇺🇸 Veterans & First Responders: Looking for connection, growth, and a chance to recharge?

Join our new Equine-Assisted Learning Group at Gateway Meadows! Connect with others who understand the challenges of service while experiencing the unique benefits of horse-guided learning in a supportive, peaceful environment. No riding experience needed. 💙

📅 Group: Thursdays, Sept. 10-Oct. 15
⏰ 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM

✨ PLUS Open Drop-In Session
📅 Wednesdays | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Through October 28th

✅ Free thanks to donor support

Call Kathy at 612-978-1741 to learn more!

08/04/2026

Veterans, Active-Duty Military, and First Responders: You're invited to join our new Equine-Assisted Learning Group at Gateway Meadows Equine-Assisted Services.

You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from support. This group is designed to help you connect with others who understand the demands of service while building resilience, confidence, and personal growth through horse-guided activities. No riding or horse experience is required.

✅ Connect with peers who understand
✅ Reduce stress and improve well-being
✅ Gain new perspectives through interactions with horses
✅ Recharge in a peaceful outdoor setting

📅 Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
September 10, 17, 24 & October 1, 8, 15

Also: Open Drop-In Sessions for all Veterans and First Responders
📅 Wednesdays | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Through October 28th

💙 No charge thanks to generous donors.

📍 Gateway Meadows Equine-Assisted Services
12777 Kingsview Lane N, Dayton, MN

📞 Kathy Friedrich: 612-978-1741
🌐 gatewaymeadows.org

08/02/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Tim Doran and Maple Grove City Lifestyle
for featuring Gateway Meadows in the August edition!

We are honored to have our mission and programs highlighted, especially our work serving Veterans and their families, while also providing opportunities for children and community members to experience the unique benefits of equine-assisted services.

Stories like this help more people learn about the support, connection, and hope that can be found through the human-horse relationship.

Take a moment to read the article and discover what makes Gateway Meadows such a special place:

📖 https://citylifestyle.com/maplemn/issues/2026-08

We hope this feature sparks your interest in learning more about what we do. Whether you are a Veteran, family member, parent, educator, community partner, or simply someone interested in our mission, we'd love to connect with you.

Thank you, Tim and City Lifestyle, for shining a light on our mission and the lives being changed through our programs. 🐴❤️

© Copyright 2026 Lifestyle Publications, LLC dba City Lifestyle. Call +1.913.599.4300 for more information. 514 W 26th St, Kansas City, MO 64108opportunity.citylifestyle.com

07/26/2026

There is always plenty of work happening at Gateway Meadows Equine-Assisted Services! Whether it’s our dedicated volunteers who support us continuously or individuals who step in to help with a single project, we are deeply grateful for everyone who enters our lives to lend a hand. ❤️🐴

Recently, we ordered sand for our round pen restoration project and had the pleasure of meeting the driver who delivered it. He is a veteran driving for Martin Marietta and in his own way, he helped support our core mission to serve veterans and their families. This isn't the first time we’ve had such a wonderful experience with Martin Marietta’s drivers—thank you all for the great work you do!

We also want to extend a huge thank you again to the Minnesota Horse Council for their support in our round pen and arena restoration! 🌾🔨

07/14/2026

🐴❤️ A wonderful day of learning, connection, and community at Gateway Meadows Equine-Assisted Services!

Children from Saron Lutheran Church joined Veterans and other participants from Big Lake American Legion & Auxiliary Post 147 and Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, for a hands-on experience learning about horses and the impactful work of equine-assisted services.

Working together in small groups, participants explored horse behavior, communication, teamwork, and the power of connection. It was inspiring to see different generations learning, sharing, and building relationships within our community.

A special thank you to all our volunteers who helped make this experience possible. Your time, dedication, and heart are what make days like this so meaningful.

Together, we're building a stronger community—one horse at a time. 🐎

07/05/2026

🇺🇸 Freedom, Gratitude, and a Tribute to Denny 🇺🇸

As we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy this Fourth of July, I am grateful for the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Today, I would like to honor one Veteran who touched our hearts in a profound way during the short three months we were blessed to know him before he recently passed away.

Denny was loving, giving, and supportive of everyone he met at Gateway Meadows. He had a remarkable gift for encouraging others, often sharing powerful words of inspiration from his years of writing and coaching. Despite limited mobility, Denny never let obstacles define him. With his walker by his side, he ventured into the field, stepped into the round pen, and delivered a heartfelt inspirational talk to our horse, Spirit. He always found a reason to smile, a way to encourage someone else, and a bit of humor to brighten the day.

One incredible moment is featured in the video attached. Denny surprised us all when he got up and led Biscuit over the teeter-totter. He stood up to the challenge with his usual energy and enthusiasm as he and Biscuit challenged themselves both physically and mentally together. It was one more example of Denny's determination, courage, and willingness to embrace life despite the obstacles he faced.
Denny and Biscuit Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/7LMCeVEV_vQ?si=-yb3k9W318FxGsOS

Denny's impact extended far beyond his sessions at Gateway Meadows. He generously shared how much the program meant to him. When I spoke at the Minneapolis VA Mental Health Clinic, Denny came and shared his experiences with the group. When we hosted our Open House this summer, he once again took the time to tell others about the difference Gateway Meadows had made in his life.

One of my favorite photos is of Denny and our young horse, Spirit, together in the round pen. Spirit, full of youthful energy and a desire to connect, blended beautifully with Denny, who still carried tremendous enthusiasm and a wonderful spirit, balanced by the wisdom he had gained throughout his life. Spirit may not have understood the words Denny was sharing, but he understood the intent, the love, and the desire to connect. In that moment, there was a special understanding between them.

Denny, thank you for your service to our nation, for your kindness to others, and for allowing us to be part of your final days. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, your encouragement, and your heart with us. The gift you gave to the Gateway Meadows team and our participants will never be forgotten.

As we celebrate our freedom this Fourth of July, we remember that freedom comes at a cost paid by Veterans like Denny and so many others. We honor you, we thank you, and we will carry your memory forward.

Rest in peace, our beloved friend. Your kindness, wisdom, humor, and spirit will continue to inspire us. ❤️🤍💙

06/20/2026

I was honored to be one of the registered delegates in Washington, DC for the Voices for Non-Opioid Choices Advocacy Day and Summit this year, where Steve Ubl and I were able to represent Gateway Meadows and the veterans we serve. The conversations reinforced just how urgent it is to expand access to effective non-opioid pain management, improve patient education, and strengthen collaboration across all sectors working to address the opioid crisis.

I’m especially grateful to Congresswoman Morrison for her leadership and support of Veterans, including her co-sponsorship of the NOPAIN for Veterans Act—critical legislation advancing safer pain management options for those who served. A sincere thank you as well to her incredible staff—Daniela, Elsbeth, and Zach—for taking the time to meet with us and for your genuine engagement in this important work.

As a veteran and the founder of Gateway Meadows, this mission is deeply personal. We support Veterans and others facing complex challenges like chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and isolation—many of the very issues that intersect with opioid use.
Thankful to be part of a collective voice working toward real solutions and better outcomes for those who have served and beyond.

06/16/2026

🌿✨ Exciting Summer Sessions at Gateway Meadows! ✨🌿
We have some incredible opportunities coming up this summer—each designed to support growth, connection, and healing through the powerful partnership with our horses. 💛🐴
💛 1) Women’s Support Group (Open to All Women)
Join us for a 6-week journey of connection, reflection, and support, guided by Kathy, Nurse Coach.
📅 Mondays | June 22 – July 27
⏰ 10:00 – 11:20 AM
💲 $300 for 6 sessions
🇺🇸 2) Women Veterans Group
A dedicated space for Women Veterans to connect, heal, and build community.
📅 Thursdays | July 9 – August 14
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💲 No cost for Veterans
🐴 3) Kids Occupational Therapy Group (Ages 11–16)
This unique 6-session group, facilitated by Kiera Mount, OT, focuses on:
✔️ Self-regulation
✔️ Social skills
✔️ Skills for success at school and home
All while partnering with our amazing horses!
💲 $300 for 6 sessions
📞 Call Kathy at 612-978-1741 with questions or to sign up—spaces are limited!
Come experience the healing, learning, and connection that happens when people and horses come together. 🌸

05/29/2026

Thank you Zoetis and Horses for Mental Health and the organizations and veterans who were willing to share their powerful stories to help others understand why organizations like Gateway Meadows and others are so passionate about serving veterans while partnering with horses!