God works in mysterious ways and Patti (Rust) Andersen is living proof. A lifelong sufferer of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and depression, Patti found solace in Equine Therapy without even knowing it. Patti showed all the signs of her disorders at an early age, but in the 1960’s nobody knew it. In 2014, Patti decided she wanted to have an equine therapy center at her farm in Amery, WI. She spent countless hours investigating and fulfilling all the federal and state requirements to open a non-profit entity, later to become: “Quarter Moon Acres”. While in school in Barron, WI, her grades always dropped in the fall and winter (with lack of sunlight) and bounced right back up in the spring. Without any known diagnosis of treatment, the disorders magnified themselves much later in life. “We had a history of depression in my family, unbeknownst to me.”, Patti said. “I suffered quite a bit with the depression and SAD diseases.” Her one saving grace was a palomino gelding named ‘Trigger’, which she acquired at the age of 8. “He was always there for me…”, she said. “When I was down in the dumps, I’d go out there with him and he’d boost me up.”. At the time, she didn’t know why it helped so much to be with her horse, but the picture gradually became clearer as the years passed. After graduating from UW Eau Claire, Patti spend a brief time in the twin cities, only to realize she needed to be in the country, and moved to Amery in 1987. She has spent years raising Quarter and Paint Horses, and joined the Apple River Riders Saddle Club in 1994. Then in 2012, the saddle club held a fun show in Glenwood City, WI, which had several special needs kids in attendance. She watched as saddle club members put aside their passion for riding, and shared their equine companions. At the moment, Patti felt a calling to share that gift with others. “They didn’t even want to ride…” Patti said of her fellow club riders, “They just wanted to help these kids. The smiles, giggles and laughs were priceless.” The fun show then became an annual event and Patti set her mind, body and soul on starting Polk County’s first Christ-Centered Equine Therapy Center: “Quarter Moon Acres”. After investigating other therapy centers, Patti wanted QMA to be set-up the right way, so in 2014, she did her homework. In addition to federal and state licensing, and the non-profit entity, Patti wanted QMA to ‘stand-out’. So, Patti made QMA a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Center. She didn’t just want a run-of-the-mill center. “If you are going to do something…” she said, “go all the way.”. In 2017, with the help of River Valley Riders Equine Therapy Center (then located in Farmington, WI), Patti became a PATH Certified Riding Instructor. While helping at RVR, Patti saw just what therapy riding can do. Patti saw riders that did not speak to their volunteers or even their parents but will talk to their equine friends. One man could not walk without his walker, but after weeks of riding (which strengthens the core) was able to walk on his own.