I am a Mental Health Counselor, PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic
Riding Instructor, and Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning.
I specialize in the therapeutic use of horses to assist clients
suffering with mental health, emotional, and behavioral issues.
I am also a Registered Yoga Teacher.
Welcome To Me & My Shadow Equestrian Wellness Center Website!
Me & My Shadow Equestrian Wellness Center
~Healing Humans Holistically With Horses~
My name is Lauren Longtoe.
I am the founder, owner, and operator of
Me & My Shadow Equestrian Wellness Center.
I started my career of service as a Youth Advocate for Youth Advocate Programs Ulster County. I graduated from Marist College with
a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor
in business. I earned a Bachelor of Technology
in Therapeutic Horsemanship from SUNY Cobleskill. I am a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning.
I recently completed a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Capella University. I plan to pursue a Psy.D.
in Clinical Psychology with the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. I am also
a Registered Yoga Teacher.
Mission Statement
To harness the healing power of horses
and help humans heal holistically.
Vision Statement
To become the area's premier provider of unique, fulfilling, therapeutic experiences in order to assist a diverse population of children, teenagers, and adults restore
and retain balance in life by utilizing
various therapeutic equine modalities.
"Never give up on someone with a mental illness.
When 'I' is replaced by 'We', illness becomes wellness."
~Shannon L. Alder~
YouTube Video If You Only Knew (Official Lyric Video) Credit: Stacy Riddle Music
I have faced many challenges and obstacles during my lifetime, but I have always managed to land on my feet.
Being abruptly terminated from my previous job as a therapeutic riding instructor at a non-profit organization,
for financial reasons, provided the impetus for me to start my own business much earlier than I anticipated.
I have done the hard work and self-reflection that is needed in order to successfully navigate through
life's many adversities. Equipped with knowledge, skills, compassion, and experience, I am ready
to get to work to help you get through your struggles too!
Our Story
Our Team
"Horses carry the wisdom of healing in their hearts and offer it to any humans who possess the humility to listen."
~Unknown~
Jenn K.
Instructor In Training
Jenn graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is an auditor and has
worked in the financial services industry for the last 10 years.
During the summer of 2021, Jenn started taking horseback riding lessons and learned the basic principles of natural horsemanship,
barn management, and equestrian care. She also assisted with therapeutic riding lessons as a volunteer.
Jenn has had a longstanding desire to be of service to others.
She has resumed working toward the pursuit of her goal of
becoming a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through
our mentorship program.
Jenn is very compassionate and adventurous. In her free time,
she loves to hike, kayak, stand up paddle board, run, read,
and spend time with friends and her dog, Ziggy.
Our Motley Crew
"When you cannot walk. Let me help you run. When you are afraid. Let me teach you to trust.
When you are weak. Let me help you build strength. When you can't find your voice. Let us speak without words.
When you want to give up. Let me show you how far you can go."
~Unknown~
Luke
Born: February 26th, 2010
Adopted: September 26th, 2019
Luke was my very first horse! He was purchased at auction in
September 2015 by Heidi Moak. He had worked at a camp in
Vermont during the summer where he was known as "Bubbles".
According to Heidi, in 2016 Luke had great ground manners, did well camping, and on trail rides but he had some issues when he was asked
to canter. The problem persisted throughout 2017 despite several
medical workups and interventions to try to correct the problem.
In March 2018, Heidi gave Luke to Priscilla Sullivan so she could
try working with him. She rode him over the summer but he
continued to have issues with the canter.
In the fall of 2019, Priscilla gave Luke to me on my 23rd birthday.
Since that time, Luke has been utilized as a walk-trot therapy horse
in a therapeutic riding program. He is very intuitive and has
formed some very close bonds working with clients.
Dusty's Dream
Born: April 7th, 2020
Adopted: July 30th, 2020
'Dusty' is a 4 year old, Chincoteague Pony. He was born in the wild
on a nature preserve on Assateague Island, a barrier island just off
the northern coast of Virginia.
I visited Chincoteague many times during my childhood to attend the annual pony swim that is held the last week in July. Since my visit in 2015,
it became a dream of mine to one day own a foal from my favorite Chincoteague Pony, Pixie Dust. I fulfilled that dream on July 30th,
when I placed the winning bid for him during the 2020 online auction.
Dusty is a work in progress! He started training to be a therapy horse
when he was just 4 months old, after I retained possession of him
on August 8th, 2020. Due to his age and smaller stature, he has mostly been used for unmounted, ground work lessons. He has had some very limited experience, under saddle, with a few more experienced riders.
Sire: Don Leonard Stud II
Dam: Pixie Dust
Lady Beatrice
Born:
Adopted: November 4th, 2023
'Lady' is the oldest and largest member of our motley crew.
She is a 23 year old Tennessee Walker, "a breed of gaited horse known
for its unique four beat running-walk and flashy movement".
Lady was rescued from a kill facility many years ago when she was purchased at auction by her loving family. Due to some challenging
life circumstances, her family reluctantly made the difficult decision
to re-home her and we were chosen as the lucky recipients to be able
to provide her with a new home and family!
Lady has a very calm and gentle demeanor but a rather quick pace
when she is asked to "step off". She loves molasses treats and
a good scratching with her favorite Scratch-N-All comb. We are
thrilled to be able to welcome her to our dynamic therapeutic team!
Kara's Shadow
'Shadow' is the newest, youngest, and last member of our therapeutic equine team. She is my second Chincoteague Pony purchased through the annual virtual auction held during Pony Penning week, just like her 'big brother', Dusty. She will be making the trek to her new home in New York after a brief stop in Pennsylvania.
Shadow arrived safely in Esperance, New York on August 3rd, 2024. Clearly, she was destined for me because she has the longest 'lashes'
I have ever seen on a horse. Shadow has the perfect temperament
for a therapy horse. She is very calm, gentle, and doesn't startle
easily. She can be a little brash when it comes to feeding time
though because she always tries to steal her herdmate's food,
just like Dusty does!
Shadow will begin her formal training once she has become acclimated to her new home and herd. We can't wait to watch her flourish!
Born: April 27th, 2024
Adopted: July 25th, 2024
Sire: Ace's Black Tie Affair
Dam: Beach Bunny
'Roxy' is my 8 year old, rose-colored Beagle.
Even though she is not a horse, she sure does eat like one!
Roxy graduated from Pet Smart Puppy Education Class in July 2016.
She continued her education at SUNY Cobleskill with me in 2020 with the goal of becoming a therapy dog. Unfortunately, due to COVID 19, she was unable to complete the program. I hope to enroll her in another therapy dog training program once I complete my own education.
Roxy is very smart, sometimes too smart for her own good! She knows how to shake hands, give high fives, roll over, and sit pretty. She loves
to eat, sleep, snuggle, jump up on tables, eat from the litter box, drink from the toilet, and rummage through the garbage and dirty laundry. Her favorite activities are riding in the car to go to the park, beach,
or for ice cream! She has selective hearing, so she doesn't always listen, come, or stay very well. She has been known to go on random joy runs and wild adventures every chance she gets whenever she gets loose!
Born: March 25th, 2016
Adopted: May 17th, 2016
Foxy Roxy
Ziggy is Jenn's 8 year old, chocolate Labradoodle and Roxy's buddy.
He is very friendly and loves to be around people. He has a comforting presence. He is very intuitive and seems to sense how you are feeling. Ziggy also has an adventurous spirit. He likes to go hiking and paddle boarding with Jenn. His favorite food is pepperoni.
Born: July 12, 2016
Adopted: September 15, 2016
Ziggy
YouTube Video You're Not Broken (Official Lyric Video) Credit: Fearless Soul
Our Volunteers
"Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help."
~Heather French Henry~
"The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run."
~ Henry David Thoreau~
Our Services & Fees
1
Unmounted Therapeutic Lesson
Unmounted lessons give clients the opportunity to build a relationship with
a horse from the ground. A mutually beneficial relationship develops from the client caring for the horse. Clients learn about horse care activities such as; bathing, grooming, health and safety, training, etc.
2
Mounted Therapeutic Lesson
Mounted lessons allow clients of all abilities to experience being on the horse's back. Lessons are structured to the cognitive and physical abilities and interests of each client. Clients discover different riding styles and are empowered by their ability to move such a large animal using subtle cues.
3
Trauma Informed Yoga Class
Trauma informed yoga classes allow clients to move their bodies and release tension in an emotionally and physically safe manner. Yoga sequences are developed to be conducive to each client's current healing state and strengthen the mind body connection.
Mental Health Counseling Services Anticipated 2024
"Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you,
doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone."
~Lisa Olivera~
Lauren Longtoe, MHC-Limited Permit, CTRI, ESMHL
I grew up in Saugerties, New York where I started my career of service as a Youth Advocate for Youth Advocate Programs
Ulster County. I graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in business.
While at Marist, I was a member of the equestrian team and was conferred membership into Sigma Alpha Pi,
The National Society of Leadership and Success.
After Marist, I moved to Niskayuna, New York and earned a Bachelor of Technology in Therapeutic Horsemanship, cum laude, from SUNY Cobleskill where I was a member of the Western Equestrian Team and became a PATH Intl. Certified
Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning.
I recently attained a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Capella University and passed the
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam. I completed my pre-licensure hours at Capital Psychology in Schenectady, New York under the supervision of Tara Benincasa, LMHC,NCC, TCTSY-F. During my time at Capella, I was inducted into
Chi Upsilon Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International in recognition
of scholastic and professional excellence and furthering the mission of Promoting Excellence in the Profession of Counseling
and Counselor Education.
Presently, I am working toward completing the 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in mental health counseling
that is required for full licensure as a mental health counselor in New York State. I am also a member of the
American Mental Health Counselors Association and a Registered Yoga Teacher.
YouTube Video Burden (Official Lyric Video) Credit: Citizen Soldier
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.
As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."
~Steve Jobs~
Our Testimonials & Reviews
She is beyond wonderful with my daughter - patient, kind, determined, funny, motivating...the list goes on! We ❤️ Lauren!
~Teresa B.~
[B]eyond thankful for you...for everything you have given back to A**** 💜
~Kristie C.~
We love you Lauren Longtoe! Thank you for everything you do and just for being you!❤️
~Andrea K.~
Thank you for the ways you support J*****. He's so happy and successful in your hands and I'm so thankful for you.
~Lesley R.~
Lauren is amazing at what she does! I have been volunteering with her program for many years now. She always goes above and beyond to assist both her clients and volunteers, and the progress her clients make is amazing
to see. I highly recommend Lauren and Me & My Shadow, I have nothing but good things to say about her work.
Plus her ponies are super cute!!
~Heidi Z.~
June 2024
This place is absolutely fantastic. She takes her time allowing the people to get to know her. She allows them to be them. My son goes her and I can't express how much he has grown to love Lauren. My son is autistic and has a hard time with social interaction, but with Lauren there was a click and right from the beginning he was excited to go back and spend time with Lauren and the horses. She has been there to support him during times of crisis allowing him to go see the horses to help calm his mind. Me and My Shadow as well as Lauren has been a true godsend.
~Ty L.~
June 2024
Lauren works closely with her clients to build a natural rapport that enables them to feel comfortable expressing themselves while working with the horses. She has used her extensive background in equine assisted therapy and
in the field of mental health to help my daughter become more assertive in expressing her needs, identifying
when she is feeling anxious and regulating her moods. In addition, the horses are all extremely gentle and work
well with Lauren’s clients. My daughter always leaves the Wellness Center happy, fulfilled and excited for the
next time that she can return.
~Andrea K.~
June 2024
I cannot say enough about Lauren, the founder, owner and operator. She is a tremendous person, always willing
to go the extra mile for her riders. She took my daughter through several sessions of lessons,
teaching her not only horsemanship, but also helping her find her strength and worth from within.
Lauren remains such a positive influence in her life.
She will meet you/your child where they are and through their work and a whole lot of love
and encouragement, she will undoubtedly take them places you never expected!
~Teresa B.~
June 2024
Lauren is wonderful to work with! Very understanding and always willing to put in the work. She’s always shown
so much care and respect for all her riders and volunteers! Perfect spot for all different needs
~Kara L.~
June 2024
My time at Me and My Shadow Wellness Center has been nothing short of life-changing. Struggling with anxiety and depression, I sought alternative therapies to complement my existing treatment plan, and the Center's holistic approach to wellness through equine-assisted therapy has proven to be an incredible help. The sessions were grounding and provided a unique sense of connection that traditional therapy alone had not provided for me.
I am deeply grateful for the positive impact Me and My Shadow Wellness Center has had on my life. Their innovative and compassionate approach to mental health has equipped me with new tools to manage my anxiety and depression, fostering a sense of hope and empowerment that I carry with me every day. Lauren’s expertise
in both equine care and mental health created an environment where I felt safe, supported, and encouraged
to embark on my healing journey. I wholeheartedly recommend this sanctuary to anyone seeking a transformative and holistic path to wellness.
~JMCK17~
July 2024
I cannot say enough about Lauren, the owner. She is a tremendous person, always willing to go the extra mile
for her riders. She took my daughter through several sessions of lessons, teaching her not only horsemanship,
but also helping her find her strength from within. Lauren remains such a positive influence in her life. She will
meet you/your child where they are and through their work and a whole lot of encouragement, she will undoubtedly take them places you never expected.
~Teresa B.~
June 20, 2024
For the past four years, we have followed Lauren and her horses so that we get best therapeutic care for our daughter with mental health needs. We were so excited when Lauren was able to open her own facility and bring her horses with her! Lauren provides my daughter with calming, nurturing, therapeutic care while teaching her
how to gauge her moods and anxiety. Whether it’s working on the ground or riding, Lauren finds ways to make each session enjoyable while addressing my daughter’s mental health needs. She has taught my daughter so much about the horses and herself over these four years, she is a positive role model and goes beyond her role as
a therapeutic riding clinician. We wouldn’t use anyone else to fill this role!
~Andrea K.~
August 4, 2024
Our Contact Information
"Keep in touch with those who matter to you not because it's convenient, but because they're worth the extra effort."
~Unknown~
Our Address:
Me & My Shadow
Equestrian Wellness Center
630 Esperance Road
Esperance, NY 12066
Our Contact Information:
(518) 491-3161
Our Business Hours:
Mon - Fri
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Trot On Over To Meet Us...
Fun Fact:
The meaning of ESPERANCE is hope, expectation.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esperance
YouTube BarlowGirl - Hope Will Lead Us On (Official Lyric Video) Credit: barlowgirlmusic
Luke
Dusty
Lady
Shadow
Horses change lives.
They give our young people confidence and self-esteem.
They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls.
They give us hope.
~Toni Robinson~
"Today is a struggle. Tomorrow is hope. The future belongs to us who keep trying."
~Unknown~
Our Journey
Temporary Home
June 30th, 2023
Special Delivery
October 26th, 2023
The Boys Are Back In Town
November 1st, 2023
What Faith Can Do
September 14th, 2023
I'm Coming Home
October 31st, 2023
The New Girl In Town
November 4th, 2023
My Shadow & Me
August 3rd, 2024
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
~Maya Angelou~
Our Library Of Resources
"At the heart of our foundation is the welfare of both horses and humans, and how they can impact each other to heal and thrive in incredible ways."
An article on psychologytoday.com
by Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D., about
"healing with the help of the horse".
An article on equinehelper.com
by Carmella Abel.
"Horseback riding therapy is a type of recreational therapy that involves an individual with little to no riding experience working with a trained riding instructor. The instructor teaches the student basic horseback riding and training techniques that improve the student’s cognitive, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Equine Assisted Therapy:
A Unique and Effective Intervention
An article on psychologytoday.com
by Azmaira H. Maker Ph.D., Helping Kids Cope, describing how "therapy alleviates multiple emotional and behavioral struggles".
An article on columbiapsychiatry.org.
"New research shows equine therapy—a treatment method that uses the connection between people and horses to enhance emotional healing—can jump-start the healing process for veterans who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."
An article on psychcentral.com
by Andrea Rice.
"A trauma-based approach to yoga makes the practice safer and more accessible, addressing the unique needs of trauma survivors."
An article on horsenation.com.
by Kristen Kovatch
"Generally speaking, yogis seem to be noticing what we’ve always picked up on — horses can have a calming, centering presence, which is why various of equine-assisted therapies are becoming more mainstream. When combined with the slow, practiced movements and poses of yoga, horses can help individuals find that sense of peace.
An article on EquineAmerica.com by Angela Nunez-Bowman.
"Are you looking for a way to build a deeper bond with your horse?
No matter which discipline(s) you and your horse practice, horse yoga can be a wonderful addition to your routine. Horse yoga is a way to spend time with your horse without asking him to perform. This is a practice your horse can enjoy thanks to the calm energy and gentle massage it provides for him"
"SAMHSA's mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports..."
"We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
YouTube This is Not The End (Official Lyric Video) Credit: Fearless Soul
“You can't go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
~C. S. Lewis~
My Aunt Kara's Story
July 2, 2024
In honor of my Aunt Kara’s birthday, I have decided to share part of her life story in an effort to illuminate the profound and lasting impact addiction can have on the lives of your loved ones and the importance of seeking out treatment. Today marks the 7th birthday I do not get to spend with her! 💔
Here is an an excerpt from the grad school application essay I wrote 4-5 years ago:
My Aunt Kara spent the first two years of her life bouncing around between foster homes before she was adopted. It was suspected that she had been born suffering from the effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
As a teenager, my Aunt Kara fell in with the wrong crowd. Her friends introduced her to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. As a result, her adoptive parents sent her to boarding school and obtained a Person In Need of Supervision (PINS) petition, so they would not be held legally responsible for her. That pushed my Aunt Kara to search for her birth parents. After months of searching, she finally connected with her birth mother, only to be rejected by her once again. To add insult to injury, she discovered her mother had given birth to another child, but he was not given up for adoption.
From her teenage years until her mid-thirties, my Aunt Kara continued down a self-destructive path of alcohol abuse and drug addiction. She finally turned her life around after she entered an inpatient rehabilitation program because of her heroin dependency.
During her first year of sobriety, my Aunt Kara enrolled in a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) program at the local community college and upon completion she began a career as an adolescent drug and alcohol counselor at an inpatient facility. She wanted to help other teenagers struggling with the same substance abuse issues she had experienced.
After all the years of turmoil, Aunt Kara’s family and friends were relieved that she was finally on the right path. That relief ended in March 2016, when she started hanging out with the wrong crowd again. Friends would visit and abuse substances in Aunt Kara’s home. One of them introduced her to huffing aerosols. After discovering this new addiction, my Aunt Kara spent all of her time isolated in her bedroom, high on aerosol. She lost a significant amount of weight and cut herself off from friends and family. The only time she left her room was to go to work. She was not giving her son the necessary attention and security that every child deserves.
Three months before she died, while on her way to work, she ran her car off the road and struck a tree. She had no memory of the event when questioned by local police.
I did my best to stage an early intervention. At twenty years old, I made the most difficult decision of my life. I reported her to Child Protective Services. I hoped it would bring attention to her reckless behavior, but I feared it would push her further over the edge. Unfortunately, my efforts failed because she knew her evaluator and was never mandated for further drug testing. A week later, she confided in me that she was hooked on huffing aerosols, but she was “counting days and doing better.”
The night before Aunt Kara died, she also told a close mutual friend that she had gotten herself back into trouble. She said she chose huffing because it was undetectable on a standard drug test, which was regularly required at her job. She searched for a twelve step program in another county in order to hide her relapse from her employer and her family.
On the day Aunt Kara died, she never showed up to work and her son never made it to school. Since it was unusual for her not to show up for work, a concerned co-worker went to her house when he was unable to reach her by phone. When the coworker arrived at Aunt Kara’s house, her 5 year old son let him in and they found her, dead on the floor next to her bed. Her son had found her earlier that morning, but continued to play quietly in his room.
Upon hearing the rumor of my Aunt Kara’s death from a mutual friend, I rushed over to her house to find a police cruiser and the coroner’s car in her driveway. All I remember was screaming and falling to the ground as I got out of my car. Her son later told me, “Mommy must have been really tired ‘cause I tried to wake her up, but she wouldn’t.”
My Aunt Kara’s death was a senseless tragedy. The stigma associated with substance abuse deterred her from seeking treatment. This caused her to fall through the cracks of the system and now a little boy will grow up without his mother. I hope to use my degree to prevent another child from losing a parent to substance abuse and to help end the deadly cycle of addiction that is so prevalent in our society today.
Your life matters! Choose life! Reach out for help today, before it’s too late for you too…
Disclaimer:
The use of the above background photo depicting a balloon release is intended as a symbolic gesture only.
It is not meant to condone the practice. "Balloons kill wildlife...Dolphins, whales, turtles, and many other marine species,
as well as terrestrial animals such as cows, dogs, sheep, tortoises, birds and other animals have all been hurt or killed by balloons.
The animal is usually killed from the balloon blocking its digestive tract, leaving them unable to take in any more nutrients.
It slowly starves to death. The animals can also become entangled in the balloon and its ribbon making the animal unable to move or eat."
There are other more environmentally friendly ways to honor a loved one! For my Aunt Kara's memorial service, I grew and hatched live butterflies for release and provided personalized mini bottles of bubbles to use at her favorite secluded swimming hole.
"Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day...
unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear."
~Alex McClean~
In Loving Memory
My Aunt, Karalee Longtoe (@KaraShadow--7/2/1976 ~ 6/6/2017), is the inspiration for Me & My Shadow Wellness Center.
She loved animals, nature, photography, and most of all her son, Jace. Her favorite color was purple and butterflies
held a significant meaning for her.
My Aunt Kara battled with addiction throughout most of her life. She eventually managed to turn her life around and became a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor in order to try to help adolescents who found themselves trapped in similar circumstances. Unfortunately, addiction pulled her back into its ugly grasp and she started huffing. Signs of her relapse were noticed and reported, but the 'system' failed her...
Her 5 year old son found her on her bedroom floor one morning, succumbed to her addiction.
According to Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration, "Mental health problems can sometimes lead to alcohol or drug use, as some people with a mental health problem may misuse these substances as a form
of self-medication." No child should ever have to experience finding their parent like Jace did!
Help is available! Reach out to us today, before it is too late!
“We will never have to tell our horse that we are sad, happy, confident, angry or relaxed.
He already knows--long before we do.”
~Marjike de Jong~
YouTube Free My Soul (Official Lyric Video) Credit: Fearless Soul
