About Us

Connie, Founder

Connie is a mother to 4, grandmother, caretaker, Hospital Manager of VCA PineRidge Animal Hospital and Founder of 3 Hearts Equine Rescue, a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. She has owned horses for over 40 years. Connie loves to share her passion with her children, grandchildren, and friends.
Connie's dream has been to help rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses. She has a passion to not only help horses, but also help people, giving them a place to come where they can brush, walk with, or ride a horse. Connie's goal is to help each horse find their forever home. 3 Hearts will evaluate each horse's physical health and riding/training ability, helping us match it to the best home possible. We will make sure that the horse has the best chance of staying with adopter.

Mike, Vet

Michael Cook, DVM, graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. For the next 40 years, he was a partner at Anoka West Pet Hospital, St. Francis Pet Clinic, Andover Pet Clinic and PineRidge Pet Care Hospital and Wellness Center. He practiced as a small animal veterinarian and surgeon. He was the Director of Hospital Administration at PineRidge and retired from there in 2015 and lives on the farm and helps care for and vet the horses.

Michael grew up with horses. From his first pony, Daisy Mae, at the age of 7 to his best friend, Nick, who he had for 20 years. They did many campouts together and trail rides were always a favorite.

Jadyn, Trainer

Jadyn has been riding horses for most of her life and got her first horse in 3rd grade. She is currently a college student working towards a Bachelor of Science in Equine studies with an emphasis in Business/ Management.

Jadyn showed on the IHSA Western Show Team as a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Since the age of 11, Jadyn has worked with project horses of all different breeds, heights, backgrounds, temperaments, ages, and training levels.

In 2017, Jadyn rescued her horse, Cajun (age 2), from a kill pen in Louisiana. He was severely malnourished, sick, frightened, and did not have much experience under saddle. Jadyn nursed him back to health and finished his training, forming an unbreakable bond in the process. She participates in WSCA game events and barrel races with Cajun, winning multiple trophies, high point awards, ribbons, checks, state qualifications, including a 5th place state ribbon.

Jadyn competed in the 2020 MHARF Trainer’s Challenge as the youngest competitor. She was given 147 days to transform an unhandled rescue horse into a riding horse who could be adopted out at the end of the Trainer’s Challenge. After successful performances, Jadyn and her assigned horse were named the overall reserve champions. Jadyn loved knowing that her assigned horse was going to a wonderful family where he would be spoiled and loved.

After rescuing Cajun, Jadyn quickly found her passion for rescuing the unfortunate horses and helping prepare them for their forever homes. In March of 2022, Jadyn joined the 3 Hearts Equine Rescue team becoming their horse trainer. Jadyn focuses her training on a soft and gentle approach, which helps to build trust and confidence with each rescue horse that she works with, and she takes her time while working with the horses to build a solid foundation.

Nicole, Grant Writer

Nicole has a BA in English from Iowa State University and an MA in English from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. She started her own grant writing, editing, and consulting business, Writing by Nicole, in 2018 and has worked with multiple nonprofits to develop their grant process and build out a successful grant portfolio. She started working with 3 Hearts in 2022.

Nicole grew up on a farm in north Iowa, and she had a feisty paint pony, Chico. She adopted a mare, Molly May, from 3 Hearts in the fall of 2022 and couldn't be happier with her heart horse.

Paul, Operations