PAWS FOR REFLECTION RANCH

Counseling programs include Animal-Assisted Counseling (AAC), Equine-Assisted Counseling (EAC), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Traditional Counseling, and Animal/Equine Assisted Play Therapy. Therapists partner with 35 Ranch animals to meet weekly for 60 minute individual or group counseling sessions. Clients as young as 3 years of age begin in our Play Therapy program. Through the child's natural language of play, the counselor can reflect back to the child and better understand the emotions and concerns of the child. The counselor is able to work with the parent(s) and child to improve their relationship. Through interaction with the animals, the child learns empathy, regulation of emotions, anger management, and coping skills. The child builds confidence and self-esteem and learns how to better communicate at school and at home. In group Play Therapy, children learn how to play together, communicate with one another, and how to compromise and be flexible. As the child moves away from the world of toys, therapists may incorporate activities with the miniature horses, miniature donkey, goats and other barn animals. Activities are designed to encourage sharing of emotions and to reach therapy goals. In 2024, the Ranch added one LPC-S and 2 Master's level interns to our counseling team. Interns are helping to alleviate the wait list we often experience for Play Therapy. Teens typically participate in Equine Assisted Counseling. As the teen builds a relationship with a horse, they work on activities designed to focus on their therapy goals, improving their confidence and self-esteem as they experience the unconditional love of their horse. With immediate feedback from the horse, the client is able to try new behaviors, change communication styles, and be aware of how body language speaks volumes. Adult clients also typically choose Equine Assisted Counseling. Through building a relationship with their horse, the client learns how to build healthy relationships, try out different communication styles and behaviors, learn coping skills, manage anger and frustration, and more. Activities are designed to assist the client to accomplish their therapy goals as they learn new skills and bond with their horse. In Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, the client is able to train their brain to act in a more neutral manner when exposed to certain triggers that currently produce a dramatic response. Our counselors are trained to utilize this therapy with children, teens, adults, and Veterans. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is trauma focused and shows positive results in the treatment of PTSD, moral injury, nightmares, trauma, abuse, pain, eating disorders, etc. Clients report experiencing results quickly. Many of our clients merge Equine Assisted Counseling and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy together. Counseling clients include youth-at-risk, children, adults, families, Veterans and their dependents, people with special needs, and others who seek counseling. In 2024, 29 unique clients were seen for Equine Assisted Counseling. These clients participated in approximately 500 sessions. There were 64 unique clients seen for Animal Assisted Counseling for 510 sessions. There were 19 unique Play Therapy clients resulting in approximately 305 sessions of Play Therapy. Traditional counseling clients numbered 12 with 192 sessions. Family/Couples numbered 47 with 752 sessions. There were also 10 clients treated via Telehealth with 162 sessions online. Expenses include Independent Contractor fees, training, and supply costs. Cost of facility and the expenses surrounding the care and feeding of all therapy animals have not been included in these program expenses.

We offer individual and group Therapeutic Horseback Riding Lessons and individual and group Therapeutic Horsemanship Group Therapies Monday through Friday year around. We provided approximately 20,000 therapeutic riding sessions for 127 unique clients in 2024. Some clients have been riding weekly with us for 8+ years, while others may choose to ride weekly for a few months. We have 3 PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Therapeutic Riding Instructors and 2 Therapeutic Riding Instructors working toward PATH certification. Typically once weekly, lessons may be 30 minutes or 60 minutes in length, individual or group. Clients, ages 4 to adult, include those with special needs, ie. Autism, Down syndrome, physical limitations, and mental health challenges. We also offer riding for Veterans. Riders progress weekly, some needing horse leaders and side walkers for safety, progressing to be more independent. During 60 minute lessons, the rider learns how to retrieve the horse from the pasture and tack up, with the help of volunteers and/or the instructor. Some riders participate in games and activities while riding, working on basic riding skills. Instructors tailor their lessons to help with skills being learned at home and at school. Riding sessions may be held in the covered arena, on the Sensory Trail which is specially designed for the rider to interact with most senses, and on the other Nature Trails. Our herd of 16 horses provides the necessary variety of horse sizes and shapes to match to the rider's abilities. The rider may change to other horses as their riding abilities progress. We continue to partner with Hope Kids of NE Texas for weekly riding and events. This organization offers events and activities for families who have a child with a potentially terminal illness. We offer one hour of weekly riding for their group who sign up on a first come, first serve basis. Our Therapeutic Horsemanship Programs for individuals and groups served 40 clients in 2024. Expenses for the therapeutic riding and horsemanship program include Independent Contractor fees and supply expenses. Horse expenses have not been included in the expenses.