Programs
Our clinically proven program puts those with neuropsychiatric conditions like PTSD, autism, anxiety, and depression into a healing environment using horses, small social animals, and movement-based activities. In these activities, specific movements activate the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex, helping participants achieve emotional regulation, communication, learning, and more.
Learn more about our programs below. Applications can be sent to kaylee@smilinggoatranch.com. Our team will review your application and reach out to schedule a consultation session.
Who We Serve
Autism
A 2019 U.S. government survey revealed 1 in every 45 children, ages 3 through 17, have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. We meet the needs of the community by executing recreational programs for autism families that did not have access for reasons of behaviors, size, income, and learning style. The Horse Boy Method was developed by following children with autism, and has been backed by research.
PTSD
The VA reports 11-20% of veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan experience PTSD each year. Healthcare costs for a veteran with PTSD are 3.5 times as much as care for those without the disorder. In the U.S., 8% of women and 4% of men will develop PTSD at some point in their life. We work with individual veterans and non-veterans as well as veterans’ organizations to provide individual, family, and group services.
Depression, Anxiety, Grief, & Recovery
NAMI reports that 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth experience a mental health disorder each year. Less than half receive treatment. We work with individuals of all ages experiencing depression, anxiety, and grief, as well as local grief groups and substance use recovery centers to provide individual, family, and group services.
What We Do
Family Sessions
We provide 1-hour weekly sessions for individuals and families. Each individual session or family “playdate” is tailored to the family’s needs as well as the child’s or adult’s specific goals. Playdates may include sensory work, back-riding, long-lining, small animal time, playground play, or other activities. During these sessions, we do not require children to ride horses or teach horsemanship skills, but rather focus on the interests and goals of the child and how we can best meet them through our programs.
Groups
Smiling Goat Ranch partners with local autism services, veterans’ organizations, recovery centers, and grief groups to provide equine- and animal-assisted therapy services. Groups may include sensory work, trail rides, small animal time, breath work, art therapy, or other activities led by our staff and outside therapists.
We also work with groups from local schools and youth services organizations to provide custom experiences.
Community
Special holiday events are held seasonally to promote community among the families we serve and provide a welcoming space for kids to celebrate as they are. These include Easter, 4th of July, and Halloween. Our staff, volunteers, families, and animals all join in on the fun during these celebrations! We also hold multiple annual fundraising events.
Special Programs
“We need more places like Smiling Goat Ranch where they apply out-of-the-box methods to help those suffering with mental health issues. Their clinically proven program puts those with [neuropsychiatric] conditions like PTSD, autism, anxiety and depression into a healing environment. There is so much potential to help people where they integrate the outdoors and the healing qualities of animals.”
— Lt Colonel Dick Merritt, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret)