FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wylie, TX – April 18th, 2025
Hidden Pastures, a veteran-founded nonprofit based in Wylie, Texas, is expanding its mission to serve the community through free, animal-assisted wellness programs for individuals experiencing emotional distress, trauma, and life transitions. From veterans and first responders to adolescents, survivors of domestic violence, and workplace teams, Hidden Pastures offers a safe and restorative space to heal—without pressure, judgment, or cost.
Founded by Allie McCutcheon, a U.S. Army veteran and the organization’s primary founder and owner, alongside her partner Brian Heid, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Hidden Pastures uses a unique approach to emotional well-being: guided, non-verbal connection with animals in a quiet, natural setting.
“There are so many people carrying pain they don’t talk about,” said Brian. “We created Hidden Pastures so they don’t have to carry it alone. Whether it’s trauma, burnout, or simply needing time to breathe, this is a place to reconnect—with peace, with purpose, and with themselves.”
Now Serving Multiple Community Populations
Hidden Pastures is proud to offer support to a range of underserved and high-stress groups in the North Texas area:
- Veterans facing PTSD, anxiety, or post-service adjustment
- First responders experiencing cumulative stress, burnout, or trauma
- Adolescents from alternative education or support programs who need emotional grounding and trust-building
- Survivors of domestic violence in need of quiet restoration and emotional regulation
- Employees and teams navigating high-stress environments or transition back to office life
Our model is pay-what-you-can, with a core value of $75 per session. Our goal is to make care available to most clients at a reduced rate of $25, but this is only possible through the generous support of donors who fund our scholarship program. This shared investment helps individuals engage more deeply in their own healing while also supporting the sustainability of our mission.
Services are available as one-on-one private sessions, small therapeutic groups, or on-site animal visits for organizations or clients unable to travel.
A Community-Rooted, Donation-Driven Mission
While donations are the heart of how we fund our programs, Hidden Pastures also offers additional paid services and experiences to help sustain and expand our impact. These offerings allow us to remain flexible, accessible, and community-driven—ensuring that no one is ever turned away due to cost.
We actively partner with local organizations, schools, businesses, and city departments to extend access and create customized wellness experiences based on the unique needs of each group.
“Whether we’re hosting a veteran in silence, bringing a donkey to a trauma shelter, or helping a student work through anxiety beside a miniature pony, our goal is always the same: create space for healing,” said Allie McCutcheon.
Get Involved or Make a Referral
Hidden Pastures is currently accepting inquiries from local agencies, support programs, school counselors, and community groups. Services are scheduled flexibly and kept entirely confidential.
For more information, to schedule a visit, or to support the mission, contact:
Allie McCutcheon
Founder, Director of Operations
info@hiddenpastures.org
(949) 390-0387
Website: https://hiddenpastures.org
Socials: @hiddenpasturestx