The Wild Hope Austin

01/09/2024

Thanks Dressage Today for the quote! We’re constantly in awe of not just how remarkable our equine partners are in and of themselves. But also the research and science that’s being discovered about how horses help our nervous system heal💜

🐴❤️“A horse’s heart is so powerful it can directly influence a human’s heart rhythm—almost like a magnet. The research on horses’ healing capacity continues to provide fascinating insight into these magnificent animals and the bilateral healing they provide to trauma survivors.”🐴❤️
~ Vanessa Schmidt, founder of The Wild Hope Center for Healing—a non-profit organization providing equine-assisted therapy for human-trafficking survivors based in Austin, Texas

Research conducted by the HeartMath Institute found that horses have a “coherent” heart rate pattern. This type of heart rhythm provides a robust measure of well-being and is indicative of a system that can very efficiently recover from and adjust to stress. To read more from our sister brand EQUUS, click on the link in the Comments below.

01/06/2024

It is with deep sorrow that I share the passing of Trevaia Nicole Johnson. Many of you have heard the story of how TWH came to be. A survivor I was mentoring told me that “working with Jewel made her feel human again. “ That survivor was Trevaia.

It was her relationship with Jewel that inspired me to start The Wild Hope. Without her I don’t believe I would’ve had the courage to start the organization

Trevaia taught me so much and it’s been such an honor that she allowed me walk alongside her for the short time she was alive. She continued to stay in touch with me even after the meth/fentanyl had taken control of her life and left her once again on the streets

Trauma kills! Trevaia endured unspeakable things as a child into early adulthood. She had been sober for four months and a relapse took her life within 48 hours. She was just 27 years old.

I find comfort in knowing she was deeply loved by many and was able to experience unconditional acceptance, no matter what was happening in her life. I will share more soon about Trevaia soon. I’m just coming to grips with this tremendous loss myself.

We are setting up a memorial fund in her name and will follow with that information.

T, you were loved and you touched so many with your caring and precious heart.

I picture you finally being held by your heavenly father surrounded by dogs, horses, goats, cats, and all the animals that were attracted to your kind soul.

Your struggle and your suffering has ended. I look forward with anticipation of seeing you again soon. All my love, sweet girl! Vanessa

20/03/2024

⚡️Shifts!
🌫️Rumbles!
🌱 Growth!

27/02/2024

Mindfulness is a really important piece of our healing journey. AND it can feel impossible to do for some of us.
For many who have brilliantly survived horrendous things by shutting down, dissociating and disconnecting from their bodies, mindfulness can feel like we’re entering a completely new world we didn’t know existed!
It can be a shock to discover this new world and even lead to feelings of betrayal that “no one told us “ this world existed. We might experience feelings of shame and sadness that we weren’t able to see the world “as it really is”. We might question what is really real, like the real everyone else experiences.
While mindfulness is being recommended, taught and practiced all around us, it’s very normal for trauma survivors to “not get it” and even hate it at first.
Here’s the key 🔑 Mindfulness is not just a muscle our brains must build, but our BODIES must feel safe as we use this new muscle.
This is where the itty-bitty tiny steps that might feel pointless and certainly don’t leave us with feelings of accomplishment, are our strongest allies.
If this feels similar to your experience with trying mindfulness over and over again only to be triggered, feel hopeless and afraid that you’ll never be able to heal- THIS IS NORMAL & YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Severe trauma/neglect leaves us with tremendous survival skills. It’ll take time to help our bodies believe they are safe enough to begin peaking out into this strange, new world of life and joy beyond survival.
Please be gentle and kind towards yourself and the process your nervous system is asking you for to feel safe enough to slowly emerge into this foreign experience of hope, laughter , groundedness, silliness, safety, play, and joy.
It’s ok if you aren’t able to see this for yourself YET, because people like us at THE WILD HOPE are holding onto this hope on your behalf until you feel ready to grab ahold of it yourself. We understand it’s painful! We know it’s terrifying. We also know that healing is slowly and gently honoring that no matter where you are in your journey, it’s good enough right now.
Itty-bitty steps, friends 💜

22/02/2024

It’s ok to take a break from hope and let someone else carry it for you for a while. It won’t go away! It just gives us a little space to rest and give another the honor of holding and protecting this sacred piece of our soul until we’re ready to take it back. No matter what, there IS hope for us! When we are unable to see/feel it, be certain there is someone out there taking good care of it for us. Hope never fails💜

12/02/2024

Do you know someone who is/has struggled with trauma? Major depression , anxiety, su***de attempts, poor decisions, etc.?

Instead of focusing on all the symptoms that may feel frustrating, overwhelming and maybe even maddening, think back on how they got back up over and over again.

Think about the many epiphanies their struggle has shown you!

Focus on the peace they have found in their healing journey.

And remember the power of grace in all our lives.

How does this reframe how you see that person? How does it affect your own frustration and anxiety about your friend? Give it a try and let us know 💜

13/12/2023

FREE online trauma conference with Bessel Ban Der Kolk! CE’s available for a fee.

Join Bessel van der Kolk, MD, along with Licia Sky, BFA, LMT, in a transformational clinical trauma training. This 2-day conference will serve as both a guide and an invitation – an invitation to dedi

13/12/2023

🕺🪩 🤗

29/11/2023

A few weeks ago I was waiting at Big Frog T-shirts in NW Austin and a guy came in to pick up t-shirts for ACL. We started talking and he told me about a podcast he was starting. It's called ATX People and he does interviews on the fly with random people around Austin. So there, in the middle of the store, he recorded an interview with me and created this lovely podcast. Check it out and follow Mike Harvey on your favorite podcast platform.

This is a new one for me. I want to start by giving you a heads-up that part of my conversation with Vanessa refers to and is about a highly sensitive subject that could be triggering to some. Her nonprofit provides support for people who have suffered specific kinds of complex trauma, including s*x...