Cindy Wendling is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and is certified in Gestalt Equine therapy and EMDR. Her role with Happy Dog Ranch includes helping with animal care and serving as a liaison for the practitioners who provide equine-assisted and nature-based therapy and education at the ranch.

With more than 15 years of experience in a variety of mental health settings, Cindy continues to work with clients through her private practice, Abundantly Being, LLC. Some of Cindy’s areas of focus include: complex trauma, grief, anxiety, attachment issues, regulation and mindfulness practices, and multicultural struggles with youth.

Cindy’s path to working alongside horses came after almost a decade of teaching youth as a wilderness instructor. She became a caretaker of five horses, which sparked her love of being among a herd, and she sought out opportunities to enhance this connection. Cindy came to Happy Dog Ranch as a student of the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies, where she became certified as an equine therapist. First as a volunteer and now as a staff member, she appreciates the time she can spend learning, listening, connecting and growing with the HDR herd.