Meet the Team

The Common Thread Collective was formed in 2024 and founded by Rachel Montague, along with her therapy dog Pancho.

 With big plans for growth in the coming years to establish this community, Rachel and Pancho are working together to spearhead a new movement for individualized treatment unique to your needs.

Rachel Montague

FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, ACHPN

Rachel is a Psychiatric and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner with a specialized focus on providing comprehensive mental health services to the cancer population, their caregivers, and health care providers. Rachel has worked in the medical field for nearly 20 yrs and spent the last 8 exclusively caring for individuals experiencing cancer, striving to help them have the best possible quality of life while navigating treatment or living with a life-limiting illness.

Holding a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and board certifications as a Family Practice (FNP-C) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), as well as specialized training as a Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN), Rachel has a wealth of expertise and experience to compassionately support individuals facing the multifaceted challenges of cancer.

Rachel is also highly practiced in the power of psychedelic modalities to heal in ways traditional therapies cannot, offering innovative and effective relief for those struggling with treatment resistant conditions. 

Pancho

Pancho is a six-year-old black lab mix and certified therapy dog trained to provide comfort and affection to people in need. His philosophy is based on the idea that his presence can help people with mental health challenges, build social skills, and improve self-esteem by providing: 

  • Unconditional love: Even in a short appointment, Pancho’s presence can provide a sense of companionship and lift peoples’ spirits through unconditional love. 

  • Non-verbal therapy: Pancho’s approach to listening and patience can encourage emotional release and openness in therapy sessions. 

  • Rapport and connection: Pancho is excellent at helping the team get to know you better, and visa versa, helping us all build rapport and connection as well as social skills and self confidence. 

  • Sharing feelings: Often through a simple lean against your leg, Pancho can encourage patients to share feelings and emotions in a way that unlocks greater understanding in themselves and ultimately in what they need support with.