Michael Hoffman is a doctor of addictive disorders (Dr.AD) and holds a Master's Degree in counseling psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is a Vipassana mindfulness meditation teacher trained by Shinzen Young of Vipassana Support International. Hoffman has also earned his master hypnotherapist certification from the International Hypnosis Federation. Ridgeback Tales is dedicated to American Kennel Club Champion CH CJS Mister Brown HPK Tropaco CGC, a proud descendant of Tsavo. Hoffman's books, stories, and magazine articles include Life After Rehab, The Thirsty Addict Papers - Spiritual Psychology for Counselors; The Blame Story, and Mind on the Run. He first graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has received the Public Relations Society of America's top Protos Award for Excellence in Trade Journalism. He also contributes regularly to the international literary website HelloPoetry. He has practiced professional counseling in Dana Point, California, since 2003 with emphasis on mindfulness, Jungian depth psychology, mythology and Buddhist practices for the relief of anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive problems caused by materialism and decay of spiritual and environmental values.