About Prairies to Peaks
We are one of the early peer support pioneers in Western Canada and have remained steadfast in our desire to promote wellbeing in the workplace and organizations since our inception.
We teach and empower professionals, communities, corporations, and teams to use their personal experiences with mental health to support others around them. Our Peer Support model builds strong, healthy connections that promote transformational change in individuals who are struggling to manage their own mental health and wellbeing.
The Power of Peer Support
Prairies to Peaks Consulting Inc. believes that mental health and wellness is a social issue, requiring a holistic, community-based approach. The power of Peer Support comes from connection and communication, which are also two of the critical components of a healthy person and a healthy community.
When our participants use the skills they have acquired to help others in their workplaces, churches and schools to manage mental health, a vibrant community begins to emerge in an organic and exponential way.
We provide Canadians with tools to manage their own mental health and teach them to use their lived experience to help those in their personal and professional circles do the same.
Our Vision
Our vision is to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and poor mental wellbeing while empowering advocates to make transformative changes for individuals struggling to cope. Through the provision of mentoring, coaching, and training, we envision Canadians being empowered to aid others through the thoughtful sharing of their own, similar experiences.
Our Team
Brian Pugh, Facilitator
Community of Practice Administrator
MBA, B.A. (Psych), CPS
Brian Pugh has been working in the human services field for over 25 years. Brian has used his Bachelor of Arts and Religion (psychology), his Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate, and his Peer Supporter training to serve in the community, in correctional centers, in Indigenous communities and within his private practice.
Brian has completed an Executive MBA to assist in coordinating health service programs and administration.
He is a passionate participant and advocate of peer support work in Canada.
Michelle McKeaveny, Facilitator
Michelle convocated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and has served in numerous roles in the mental health field and as a correctional officer. Michelle’s beloved career in Corrections ended abruptly with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD/OSI), compounded by other serious medical conditions requiring surgery and a painful recovery.
She has also worked as mental health therapist/counsellor and a dedicated facilitator of programs on several First Nations communities for the past 25+ years. Michelle has been a peer group support leader for six years, co-founder of the River Valley Resilience Retreat, Peer Group Training – Peer Support Group, and Canadian Walk for Veterans, Saskatchewan Team Leader for the past two years.
Throughout her challenging personal and professional experiences, she has committed her life’s work to service and charity, advocating for our first responders and public safety personnel.
Michelle is a mother to three adult children and enjoys singing.
Jeff Reader, Facilitator
Jeff began public service as a volunteer firefighter, then spent three years in EMS. He was a 19-year member of the Prince Albert Fire Department before retiring at the end of 2024. After a traumatic incident, Jeff was diagnosed with PTSI. Jeff utilized his love of horses to help heal himself and is now a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Level 2 Facilitator. He works diligently with Cartier Farms to provide Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) as an effective tool for people recovering from an OSI/PTSI.
Jeff previously served as the Local 510 International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Union President, is the Co-Chair/founding member of the Sask First Responders Mental Health Committee (in partnership with Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board), and also represented the IAFF 6th District (Western Canada) as a Behavioural Health Committee member.
Jeff is married to Natalie, and they have three children.
Jeff & Michelle are the founders RIVER VALLEY RESILIENCE RETREAT, a registered non-profit organization located near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan that provides a retreat environment, peer support and assistance to Public Safety Personnel (PSP), Armed Forces and Veterans with operational stress injuries.
For more information, please visit https://www.rvrssk.ca or follow RVRR on social media using the @rivervalleyresilience handle.