About Kathy Andio

 As a child, I lived in a neighborhood surrounded by oat fields and forest.  Because of that,  I have always enjoyed the outdoors and have been exploring nature on my own ever since!

I have been an avid ecologist, recycling long before it was a “thing!”   I participated in the first Earth Day in my hometown by helping others clean out a local river. 

​When I look back at vision boards I have made in the past, they were full of pictures of nature.   One of the articles that was on a vision board was about forest bathing. While the concept was intriguing, I was waaayyyy too busy with my work life, and life in general, to entertain the thought of following up on doing something about it!  I figured I would investigate it someday when I had the time!

​Then the pandemic hit and suddenly I had LOTS of free time.  I found a Nature Therapy Guide leading a walk in my area, and I immediately registered! It was an encounter with Nature that I had never experienced before! By the end of the walk, I was hooked and knew I had found my niche!  

​I became a certified​ Nature Therapy Guide in 2022 through ANFT (Association Nature and Forest Therapy.) It is the world’s leading standards-based training and certification program. I have loved every aspect of being a guide!  Ah, oh by the way, even though I have another part-time job, work isn't as important as I thought it was!  Connecting with Nature has become my top priority!

​As a side note, although the word “therapy” is in my title, I am not a “therapist!”  The forest is the therapist, and I am the guide that opens the doors to help you connect with the forest, yourself and others!   

​In addition, I am certified in CPR and Wild Med First Aid.

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