ARLINGTON — Lynne Budde Sheppard had a dream.

“I felt that people of Arlington should have access to many types of alternative care all in one place,” Sheppard said.

A licensed acupuncturist, Sheppard created the Points & Pathways Holistic Center at Pilchuck Plaza in Smokey Point, where five practitioners of different services settled in April 2008.

“I was upstairs for a couple of years, but then decided to expand into this more spacious, appealing space,” Sheppard said.

The office faces a beautifully landscaped pond between two buildings at 3710 168th St. NE, in the Smokey Point community of Arlington, across the pond from the Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor Information Center.

“It’s a beautiful setting and a great resource for Arlington,” said office manager Carmela Mabbutt.

Along with acupuncture by Sheppard, the alternative health practioners include the only practicing naturopath in Arlington, Dr. Joshua Rubenstein; Betsy Wright Loving, MSW, LICSW, LMP, who does counseling and bodywork and is a certified laughter coach, and a deep-tissue massage therapist who specializes in injury-related services, Amy Sangder.

They are planning a Wellness Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, where they will offer free acupuncture treatments and a variety of workshops geared toward stress reduction and fun, Mabbutt said.

The office also offers unique, healthy, stress reducing items for retail sales.

At the open house, Loving is offering free laughter and there will be other kinds of stress relief offered by Dr. Rubenstein, including a talk on anti inflammation by the naturopathic physician.

The group of five found one another through connections. Mabbutt learned about the office manager position from her husband who was getting acupuncture treatments from Sheppard.

“I’ve become an acupuncture evangelist,” Mabbutt said. “The results are incredible.”

Loving was practicing out of her home and was thinking she would like to be part of a group when Sheppard invited her to join.

“I started doing counseling and psychotherapy, then combined it with body work,” Loving said. “It’s up to the client which way to go.

Rubenstein was treating some Arlington residents at his practice in Everett and

Sangder heard from a friend through another friend about a massage position there. Along with deep tissue, Sangder also does hot stone and relaxation massage and reflexology.

“I see Arlington as a great opportunity,” Rubenstein said. “It reminds me of my hometown of Eugene.”

For information call 360-653-3403 or check out the Web site at www.pointsandpathways.com.