Autumns Reride Youth Ranch

This ranch is a wonderful place of healing! It is a Christian-based non-profit serving the community of Northwest Arkansas. The non-profit rescues abused and neglected horses (large and small) and gives them a chance to heal and become therapy animals for special needs children. Many of the children that visit the ranch have also been abused and neglected in their short lives. Thus, they can relate to the animals. Some of the children are on the autism spectrum, some have physical disabilities, some have PTSD, etc. All of the services are offered totally FREE of charge to the families that are served. It is funded primarily through donations, which are always needed. They receive grants at times, and the staff are all non-paid volunteers. Many of the volunteers have found healing at the ranch as well. I have never experienced anything like it! The healing comes through guided interactions with the ranch animals, so it is not "therapy" in the sense most people think of when they hear that word. The children are matched with a volunteer that can devote their time to them for 90 minutes, usually one-on-one. Activities include: chores such as helping feed the animals (to foster a sense of ownership and confidence), riding (both large and miniature horses), making crafts, grooming animals, playing with chickens and sheep, and even using finger paints with the horses as a canvas! Kids learn lessons in confidence, self esteem, trust, etc. by just being around the animals. No talking is even needed to learn these things! People who come to the ranch are filled with hope and often find peace. Love and hope is freely available there. Please have a look at their site ARRYR.org