Blazing Trails
Wellness Center
who we are
Healing Unbridled
Blazing Trails Wellness Center was founded in 2025 on the belief that true and lasting recovery is best achieved through a holistic approach. Wellness encompasses mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Successful treatment addresses not only healing the mind and body but also nurturing the soul.
No path to wellness is the same; however, connection lies at the heart of recovery. Those suffering from addiction and trauma often struggle with connection—to their mind, body, and spirit. Reestablishing that connection can be uncomfortable and even feel threatening, as disconnection has often been essential for survival. At first, human-to-human connection may seem overwhelming and intimidating, so who better to model connection and nonjudgmental acceptance than animals?
In the natural world, as in the human world, connection is essential for survival. To truly connect with the world, we must first learn to connect with ourselves. Animals hold up a mirror to our inner selves and have a unique way of communicating difficult truths while fostering acceptance.
At Blazing Trails, we believe that animals can guide us along the path toward connection and, ultimately, wellness—if we are willing to listen. Our approach to treatment and wellness combines proven, evidence-based practices with meaningful human-animal interactions.
meet our team
Gabby Persons, MSW, LCSW
Owner, Clinical Director
Hi, I’m Gabby. I believe healing from trauma takes more than just traditional therapy—it requires a space where you feel truly seen, supported, and free to heal at your own pace.
I specialize in trauma treatment using evidence-based practices combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), offering a holistic approach that honors both the science of healing and the wisdom of connection.
I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, with a concentration in mental health and trauma. Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in trauma and crisis intervention, including two years as a Program Manager supporting veterans with complex trauma, mental health, and substance use needs.
My approach combines evidence-based therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, and EAGALA with the healing power of equine-assisted psychotherapy. DBT is the lens through which I view the world, and it grounds much of my work with clients. I’m currently pursuing additional certifications through the Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado, EA-EMDR, and EQUUSOMA to expand my knowledge and ensure I provide ethical, top-quality care.
I offer a personalized, private-pay practice where we can focus entirely on your healing journey without insurance constraints.
When I’m not working with clients, you can find me at the barn with my two horses—who aren’t just companions, but co-therapists who help clients process trauma in ways traditional talk therapy alone cannot. I also have two English Setters who are experts at couch snuggling. I love French fries, going to the movies with my husband, and curling up with a good book.
enzo
Equine Therapy Partner
Enzo, formally registered as I’m Only Natural, is a 9-year-old American Paint Horse. He stands at over 16 hands high—roughly 5’4″ from hoof to wither. A bay gelding, he has a unique blue eye and white back sock. Gabby jokes that Enzo’s white blaze spilling over his left eye is proof he had too much personality to fit between the lines.
Enzo is what some people would refer to as “a pocket horse,” a term used to describe horses that like to be close to people, or in their pocket. His natural interest in people and desire to engage with them are among several factors that make him a great therapeutic partner. He has an abundance of personality and is quite attuned to those around him. While all horses have a natural ability to sense what is unspoken, Enzo seems to have a particular talent for it. He has a remarkable ability to mirror what people are experiencing internally and help them access what they most need to acknowledge.
Enzo’s presence in Gabby’s life came full circle when naming this practice. As a young girl, Gabby had a stuffed animal of a bay gelding she called Blaze, her partner in many adventures. Enzo’s remarkable likeness to this early childhood keepsake served as the main inspiration for the name Blazing Trails Wellness Center.
KIT
Equine Therapy Partner
Kit is the newest addition to the Blazing Trails team. At three years old, she is just entering young adulthood. She is an unregistered American Quarter Horse whose sire competed on the professional rodeo circuit. At 14 hands high, Kit is on the smaller side—technically pony-sized—though at just three years old, she still has some growing to do. She is sorrel (red) in color and has a magnificent mane and tail. Most of the time, Kit can be found with her forelock hanging in her eyes, often causing people to question whether she can see. For Kit, Emo was certainly not a phase.
When arriving at the barn, Kit is one of the first horses to come greet people, as long as she isn’t napping. She has a natural inclination to engage with humans and will often insist you provide a hand so she can thoroughly lick it. Kit possesses an innate gift for reading people and is an excellent communicator. She is often calm and provides a steadying presence. Kit is often seen as more approachable due to her smaller size and reassuring energy.
As Kit is just entering training, she’s learning and growing into her role as a full-time EAP partner.