I am Tranquility Josieanne Ballenger, and at my core, I am fueled by a profound passion for spirituality and a fervent desire to cultivate a community that mirrors the unwavering support I craved during my darkest hours. Remembering the trials of addiction and the imprisonment of the spirit, my heart resonates with reverence and compassion for those who are still navigating the shadows – the incarcerated, the angels and outlaws, the misfits, the geniuses with amnesia- all of the gorgeous souls lost in the labyrinth of addiction.

Drawing upon my journey woven with threads of spiritual practices and principles, quantum energetics, vibrational frequency healing, meditation, art, yoga, music, Ayurvedic wisdom, and the nourishing embrace of organic living, I seek to create a haven where individuals can find solace and inner transformation. It is through these ancient principles and healing modalities that growing community has evolved, a sanctuary infused with authenticity, where people can explore the wonders of recovery, planting seeds of knowledge and connection, with the opportunities of renewal and growth.

In this sacred community, we strive to offer a safe supportive environment where individuals can reconnect with their essence, heal their wounds, and rediscover the infinite potential that resides within.

Embracing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, DogStar aspires to be a beacon of light for those seeking solace and transformation, guiding them towards a path of authenticity, empowerment, and holistic well-being. OUR EVOLUTION IS THE REVOLUTION ✨️

My name is Nikki Granados, and my clean date is October 10th, 2020. Addiction robbed me of 20 years of life; I lost my family, friends, and ability to function as a human being. However, with the love, compassion, and tools gained with the help of Dog Star, my life is more than I could have ever wished for. Not only have I gotten my kids back from DCFS but my soul is at peace , In this community I found the love , acceptance , and belonging I had been looking for my entire life , I now get the opportunity to live in purpose by helping others do the same.

I strive to help others find themselves and rebuild their lives. This community is something I have never encountered before. We are more than just a community; we are a family here to help one another on our journey to a better life. As a peer recovery coach, I am dedicated to supporting individuals through their recovery process, providing them with the resources and encouragement they need to reclaim their lives and achieve their goals. Together, we can overcome the challenges of addiction and build a brighter, healthier future.

My name is Lisa and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story with you. On October 31, 2017, I made the courageous decision to start my sobriety journey. My addiction to meth and unhealthy relationships had taken over my life for far too long. For 16 years, I worked as a stripper, trapped in a vicious cycle of substance abuse and destructive behavior. My son was taken from my care by his father and eventually by Child Protective Services. It wasn't until I entered a rehab program in a desperate attempt to regain custody that I realized I was already in a relapse. After completing the Haven/Peer1 program in December 2019, I found solace and support in Narcotics Anonymous. I have a passion for collecting rubber ducks, crystals, and plants, and I have a deep love for animals and children. One of the most rewarding parts of my recovery journey is witnessing the transformation of others as they find their own path to healing. As a case manager working towards becoming a peer coach with DogStar💫, I am honored to be a guiding light for those seeking recovery. Join me and the incredible community at DogStar💫, where we are more than just a support system - we are family. Let's walk this journey together and inspire each other to reach our full potential. Together, we can conquer addiction and embrace a life of fulfillment and positivity. 💖

My journey started at a young age. My mom was addicted to drugs so I followed into the life style of alcohol, meth, and criminal activity. My way of life always sent me to places I didn’t want to go to. In and out of jails, halfway houses, and prisons. I didn’t know how to stay stoped or that a life of recovery even existed. I found my self praying for a new way of life in my active addiction. I was then led to detox, rehab, and sober living with just my own choice and a higher power. I found my self at DogStar Recovery where I have meet incredible people on their journey. Here I learned who I really was and the desire of drugs, alcohol, and the life of crime was removed. With DogStar I found the opportunities that I never imagined could be possible. Meeting people where they are at on their journey and walk it with them. The magic of recovery is real.

Pravina is a visionary, humanitarian, and natural wellness advocate who founded Vaidya Ayurveda. Born into an Indian family and culture, she absorbed the Ayurveda lifestyle from an early age. Her passion for primitive wisdom and Mother Earth’s natural gifts is the driving force behind her life’s purpose to support others’ wellbeing.

With a desire to create harmony, balance, and fulfillment in people’s lives, Pravina is devoted to uplifting Ayurveda medicine and incorporating therapeutic formulations of natural herbs into Western plant-based medicine. She takes great pride in helping others achieve genuine happiness and health with the support of her warm-hearted and passionate team of healers and doctors.

Pravina’s team of healers and Ayurveda doctors have already formulated products such as their Ayurvedic Immunity Tea for Respiratory Support, Ayurvedic Digestive Tea for Restoring Balance to the Digestive System, and their line of Divine Essential Oils helping with chronic pain, anxiety, sinus issues, sleep, immunity, and natural energy.

While cultivating strong relationships and driving the growth of the Vaidya Ayurveda community, Pravina is actively working towards becoming a certified Ayurveda Practitioner and meditation teacher. Her dual focus reflects a profound dedication to holistic wellness and continuous personal and professional growth.

Research And Areas of Study

Ayurveda Practitioner (Currently Enrolled)

Principles and Ayurvedic Lifestyle

·       Anatomy and Physiology

·       Ayurvedic Pharmacology

·       Ayurvedic Diagnostic

·       Clinical Subject Knowledge (Kayachikitsa, Shalya Tantra)

·       Clinical Training 

Meditation (Currently Enrolled)

·       Mindfulness Techniques

·       Energy Theories 

My name is Adam Oney ,I'm 41 years old and over half those years have been spent in addiction and have lost so much because of that time .I'm here to tell you that because of my faith my four year federal prison sentence and a bullet to the head I crash landed exactly where God wanted me to be in dogstar fighting for my recovery surrounded by love and support .I am now 4 and half years sober and I have gotten back so much of what was lost including family self-respect focus and HOPE for a future I know is attainable now,also the strength to accept and handle the loss of people and things I will not get back ,with out turning back to addiction to numb the pain .I look forward to tomorrow,all the ups and downs triumphs and tribulations bring it on I got this.

My name is Brianna Lockwood. I'm from Denver, Colorado. My addiction started when I was very young around the age of 12 or 13 with alcohol being my drug of choice. Around 18 years old I was introduced to meth and thought it was the perfect combination of substances. It made it so that I was no longer drunk all the time but became a functioning addict in society. I was able to work, continue an outside life and ultimately fool all of my family and friends in to thinking everything was okay until the age of 24 when I ended up in the hospital with heart failure. I was hospitalized in ICU for two weeks and had to continue to visit cardiologists for years after. I gave up the drinking but kept using meth during this time until July of 2024 when I decided I was finally done with addiction. For the first month of my sobriety I the only substance I used was marajuana. I felt great and looked great, things started to improve. I reconnected with some old friends I hadn't seen in a while who were all in recovery, and in a program called dogstar recovery. I got to know a few people in the program and was happy in my sobriety until one day I went out to lunch and decided that I would have a margarita. A few days later I went lunch lunch again and had another margarita and next thing I knew I was having lunch everyday. Within a few short weeks the drinking addiction I thought I had kicked years ago was back full fledge, it was like I never missed a beat. A week before Thanksgiving I was back to drinking from the second I woke up until I went to bed at night, even waking up at night to take shots to go back to bed. Finally 3 days before Thanksgiving, I had drank a liter of alcohol in less than 24 hours and I knew at that point I was ready to seek help. I contacted one of my best friends, who was a member of dogstar who connected me with Lisa- a peer coach in the program. I met with Lisa who gave me a safe place to tell my story and connected me with josie. They made me comfortable enough that by the end of our talk I had agreed to go to a 3 day detox before entering the program . I got out on Thanksgiving in time to spend it with my family and have been a member of the dogstar family ever since. I have a great support group here at dogstar and in my personal life. Addiction is something that has plagued my whole family, however my mom and sister began their recovery journeys long before I did. My sister is 3 years sober and my mom is more then a year sober and is also a peer recovery coach. With the help of them, my entire family and all of my friends and family in the dogstar program I am now coming up on 3 months sober. I have recently become the house manager for he aurora south coed house and am living my best life. I am very happy with my decision to become a part of the dogstar family and plan to continue to grow and advance in this program. I am truly grateful for Josie who has the biggest heart of anyone you could ever meet as well as Lisa who has become a great friend and all of Dogstars amazing staff and clients. My sobriety would not have been possible without all their love and support!

I have lived my entire adult life as an addict. I never really wanted or believed that my existence would be anything other than what it was. I have spent the last twenty years in and out of prison  and always returned right back to the lifestyle I knew and was comfortable with. After all, what I do to my body is my business, right? Locked up, once again, I did some serious soul searching and decided it was time to do something different, or at least give it a shot. I joined the Dog Star family and am amazed at the sense of community and belonging I experience each and every day. Today I don't just merely exist, I live and thrive. I don't know where this journey is going to take me, but I can't wait to get there. 

My name is Sandra and my clean and sober date is August 9, 2021, and I am honored to be the Entry Specialist at Dogstar Recovery. I am also a proud mom of three beautiful, happy, and thriving kids who are my greatest motivation.

My journey to recovery has been anything but easy. I became a full-blown alcoholic at just 15 years old, and in 2017, losing my oldest son's father to an overdose , I turned to drugs. My addiction led me through years of homelessness, abusive relationships, and immense personal loss. In 2021, I lost my daughter’s father in a tragic car accident, and that moment opened my eyes—I realized I was all my children had left. I knew I needed to change for them and for myself because the path I was on was no longer sustainable.

Dogstar Recovery was my turning point. I started as a client, and through their support, I found hope and healing. Today, I am in the healthiest relationship of my life, working a job I love, and dedicating myself to helping others break free from addiction.

I am living proof that recovery is possible. No matter how far down someone has gone, there is hope, healing, and a way out of the darkness. At Dogstar, I’m committed to helping others find their path to a better life.

We really do recover.