Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Schuckenbrock and Stacey Anthuis.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Andrea: I grew up in Wathena, Kansas, a small town in the state’s northeast corner. For most of my early life, I rode horses and played sports, eventually leading me to play volleyball while attending college. Several years after graduating, I coached the girls’ volleyball club and worked in the medical field doing direct patient care, human resources, and medical recruiting. During COVID and the years that followed, I saw a huge need for patients of all ages to have alternative outlets that supported the mental health needs of the community and allowed for a peaceful place where they could connect to nature and other beings. My friendship with Stacey started a few years ago because of our mutual love of horses and our passion for rescuing and rehabbing the ones who have been through trauma, and together, we have worked to save several. At the end of 2022, we decided to collaborate and form a 501(c)3 non-profit that supported horse rescue and humans struggling with life and mental health challenges, and it has been gratifying!
Stacey: I grew up in northern Wisconsin and rode horses during my childhood. At age 26, I moved to Kansas and pursued an Animal Science degree at Kansas State University. After graduation, I worked as the Equestrian Program Coordinator at a residential facility, working with adolescents alongside their therapy team. My husband John and I moved to Missouri after he completed his enlistment in the Army, and we both began careers in the Missouri Department of Corrections. After working for the department for almost 10 years, John advanced his career, and we moved to Drexel, Missouri, in November of 2022. I left the DOC in December 2019, and we adopted an infant in March 2020. I have worked on and off since we adopted Lizzy, including for the Children’s Division and as a veterinary technician. Horses have helped me through many life challenges, and I wanted to share the benefits they provide.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Stacey: Obstacles present themselves in unique ways when working with people and horses. Everyone has a different experience level and comfortability around horses. Ensuring the right horses for the job was important to the program. Offering the best availability for those seeking sessions has also been challenging since we are entirely volunteer-based and work full-time outside the program. We are looking forward to longer daylight hours and warmer weather.
Andrea: I agree with everything Stacey said, but resources can also be challenging. There are always expenses with horses – hay, vet bills, fencing, feed, tack, and supplies – and the horses we rescue are usually in rough shape, so there is more financial investment in that, too, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! Since we are a new non-profit, getting our name and services out to the public has also been there.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us more about your work.
In November of 2022, Wild Hearts Wellness became an approved 501(c)3 non-profit that works to help people struggling with mental health and life challenges, and we are also committed to helping equines in need. We offer equine-assisted services to ages 5 and up; all experience levels are welcome. All sessions are donation-based because we want everyone, regardless of their financial status, to experience the healing power of our rescue horses in a peaceful, natural setting. Several of our equines have faced trauma, loss, abuse, and sadness, so we believe they have a lot to teach us about resilience, healing, new beginnings, and forgiveness. We customize our sessions to the client’s needs and experience level, then let the magic happen between the horse and client interaction. It’s beautiful to watch, which is why we do what we do!
What matters most to you? Why?
Andrea: What matters to me is seeing people of all ages and backgrounds finding joy, peace, love, connection, and freedom while they visit our program and knowing that we are making a difference in our little corner of the world for both humans and equines alike.
Stacey: We started this program because we recognized the importance of our relationships with our horses and the benefits their companionship provides. I have worked with horses my entire life. My career history brought to my attention the importance of mental health awareness. Not only is it difficult to get services, but they often come at a price people need help to afford. Offering equine-assisted services at donation-based fees was essential to our program. We did not want anyone to be denied services because they could not afford them. We want to help people break mental health stigma and provide an alternative space to empower themselves.
Pricing:
- All sessions are donation only
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @wildheartswellness
- Facebook: @wildheartswellness
- Twitter: @wildheartswellness
Image Credits
Chris Schuckenbrock, Andrea Schuckenbrock, & Stacey Anthuis. Andrea’s photo is uploaded under “personal photo” with the mule. Stacey’s photo is uploaded under “additional photos,” it is #9 below (the last picture uploaded). The rest of the pictures: 1. Stacey and Andrea and their adopted BLM Mustang mares, JoJo (left) and Roo (right). 2. Our veteran client comes out weekly to spend time with the horses. 3. our logo 4. Two of our BLM Mustangs that we adopted from an Oklahoma Mustang Sanctuary (JoJo on the left and Roo on the right). 5. JoJo, Andrea’s Mustang, radically transformed in 2022. 6. Our child client is learning groundwork with Stacey and one of our horses, Bruno. 7. Andrea and our Arabian mare rescue, Jewel, who only has one eye. 8. Stacey with her daughter, Lizzy, on Jewel. 9. Stacey’s photo with Bruno, the paint gelding.
