At Groundwork Ranch we offer four primary programs, each designed to help a distinct group of people by inviting them to interact with our horses in order to practice emotional regulation, clear communication, boundary setting, and effective leadership. People participating in all our programs consistently tell us they gain valuable new understanding about their own capabilities and leave the ranch feeling more relaxed, energized, and empowered.
Leader of the Herd
Workshops for foster and adoptive parents of traumatized children
As prey animals, horses are a lot like traumatized children; their survival depends on heightened awareness and knowing who to trust. That’s why working with horses offers a great opportunity for practicing parenting skills that are critical to developing a sense of safety and creating a healthy, healing home environment for foster and adoptive children who have survived trauma. Parents learn and practice essential skills for managing challenging, trauma-based behaviors.
Horse Power
Multi-week program for at-risk adolescents
Teens with social skill deficits and/or histories that include exposure to, or experience of, traumatic events are often identified as “at risk.” Many of these teens are placed in residential care or attend day treatment programs to provide intensive psychological and behavioral support. The Horse Power program, based on the principles of Positive Youth Development, uses engaging equine-assisted learning activities and experiences designed to help at-risk adolescents begin or continue the process of recovery from trauma, acquire the skills to fulfill psychosocial needs in constructive ways, establish and maintain satisfying interpersonal relationships, and interact more successfully with society.
Taking the Reins
Workshops for family care partners of dementia patients
Working with horses helps family care partners of dementia patients learn and practice new ways of responding to caregiving demands while protecting their own physical and emotional well-being. Care partners also have an opportunity to share their fears, frustrations, and challenges with others who are caring for loved ones. The workshop, led by two psychotherapists and experienced facilitators of equine-assisted activities, provides a safe, relaxed environment in which care partners feel supported and validated. They leave feeling relaxed, connected, and reenergized.
Other programs
In addition to our four primary programs, we also offer equine-assisted group workshops and programs to help the following people:
Adults survivors of trauma
Adult survivors of sexual trauma
Adolescents in foster care
Adolescents who have been adopted
Case workers, counselors, teachers, and medical professionals
Corporate/organizational teams
Please contact us for details, schedule, and investment.
Introductory days
Join us for a hands-on introduction to equine-assisted learning
Groundwork Ranch hosts Intro Days as part of our mission to educate the public and other mental health/human growth and learning professionals about the theory and practice of equine-assisted learning (EAL). There are many misconceptions about what EAL is, why it works so well, how it’s put into practice, and who’s qualified to provide it. During an Intro Day, we address these issues and provide a hands-on, interactive experience to foster even greater understanding. We offer our Intro Days to the public several times a year and are also happy to tailor an Intro Day for a specific group or organization. Contact us for more information. Suggested donation is $20/person.