Great way to help kids learn responsibility and respect of others while empowering them to care for animals themselves. Definitely impactful!
My son entered the program with the excitement of working with horses. He not only stayed with the wonderful program but has gone on and continued working with the same horses for Victory Ranch for the next year and half. He loves the experience he received from Victory Ranch.
Both Douglas and Pat love horses and helping people. They have helped a lot of disadvantaged people with horse therapy already. It’s amazing that being with horse has tremendous healing power.
They run the organization with passion and discipline. They both work so hard! It’s one of the best nonprofits I’ve known.
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Both Doug and Pat are 100% committed to Victory Ranch. Because their love for horse, and love for helping others. It touches me all the time.
They have very tight schedule, train volunteers, have classes, take care of horses and the ranch which is lot more work than one can imagine.
They take horses to children hospital, because children love horses, and the process is healing for them too. Doug and Pat would do anything to help.
And they really enjoy doing it, because they are doing the right thing, they believe.
My granddaughter benefited greatly from her volunteering at Victory Ranch. Doug and Pat were so kind and the work they do with the kids is so special! It's a wonderful organization!
A great cause worth supporting! Wonderful charity.
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You can't imagine how good this program is for these kids until you see them as buckaroos on graduation day.
I've lost count of how many sessions I've taught, but I remember each and every kid that has come through this program because they've had as much of an impact on me as I have on them.
Wonderful program.
I love that Victory Ranch provides an opportunity for children to experience the joy of working with horses. This opportunity opens the door to hope, healing, peace, and many smiles that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Thank you Victory Ranch!
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What a special organization that helps children to learn about and care for horses. Pat and Doug Hutten are wonderful people who help and know the needs of the children in their care. Children are loved here.
I volunteered at Victory Ranch between the years of 2015 and 2017. During my time there, I worked with a close knit team of caring riders who helped groups of kids from different backgrounds learn about horses. Every year I worked with them always showed me how much they truly care about what they do. Watching Doug and Pat work with the children to develop trust in the horses is a truly incredible experience, and I can't recommend them enough.
I interned with Victory Ranch for 1 1/2 years and in that time I was allowed to see the great work that Doug and Pat are providing for the children and their parents. I learned that in the San Jose area, many of the children don't get a chance to go out into nature, let alone learn how to ride a horse! The children's time in the nature and with the animals really made a difference on their emotional and social well being. I was happy to see that former students continued to participate as volunteers even into their high school and college years. Doug and Pat took their passion and found a way to share it with those less fortunate and in need, and for that I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been allowed to share with them!
-Thomas
There is a reason this amazing non- profit, Victory Ranch, has been a winner over the years- it’s the integrity, kindness, and deep respect that both Pat and Doug have for both students and the animals. Both parents and students can trust that their child will be taught by people who have respect for safety and knowledge of how to teach children. There is a trust that both Pat and Doug earn by their caring nature and deep sense of responsibility for all. I recommend Victory Ranch for all children. Thank you Pat and Doug for your dedication!
Kimberly Anne
Victory Ranch is one of the best places I have ever experienced. They work with, not only, children who have had hard starts in life and have trouble connecting, the also work with Veterans.
I love everything about the work they do. I have had my former foster daughter in the program and it did wonders for her. She gained tremendous confidence in herself and improved in her performance in school and in her interactions with her teachers and peers.
I have also volunteered with their Veteran Program a few times. These people truly care about everything they do, and everyone they work so hard to help.
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This is a truly wonderful program. My foster daughter was shy around older men, and did not even speak to her male teacher before coming here. Now she has great communication with him as well as her foster father. She has opened up with the other adults at school as well and now everyone gets to see the funny, silly, quirky girl I have gotten to know over the past year and a half.
This program takes the children out of their comfort zone in a way that boosts their confidence and has them doing things they probably never thought they could do. My foster daughter is even looking forward to volunteering here, once she becomes of age.
It is so rewarding for me to see the many behavioral changes in many of the kids that come through our Kids & Horses Education Program! We are approaching our 14th year of serving the disadvantaged from our community!
I am proud as an Army Veteran to start our Homeless Veterans Ranch Visit Program last year.
Victory Ranch Inc. is a special family...all help and support is greatly appreciated!
Victory Ranch continues to carry out their mission of helping children and veterans.
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Victory Ranch Inc provides children an opportunity to work with horses safely. Most importantly to boost the confidence in a child. All the kids really enjoy the Kids and Horses Education Program. The parents, guardians, case workers and therapist all witness the positive change in children. All the staff and volunteers are great, friendly and enthusiastic in helping these children. The experience for children and parents is very unique and precious. It is a great non profit organization.
Amazing organization! I've learned an amazing amount of information about horses through Doug, Pat, and other volunteers. And learned how to be a better communicator.
They do a miraculeous job with children with special needs. These children are in most cases economically challenged, and some get into situations where law enforcement gets involved.
A special applause to its founder , Doug.
Larry
My Foster Daughter really loved to attend the horse camp. She made new friends and learned a lot about horses. She came home happy about her experiences there.
My adopted daughter had never ridden a horse and I signed her up for a class. She quickly fell in love with horses and the workers at Victory Ranch. She learned how to take care of horses,by walking, riding and feed them. She also learned the importance of working with others to get task done.
Doug and Pat truly have huge hearts for the kids at their ranch. While focusing on safety and building strong bonds with horses, kids transform!
Victory Ranch Inc. is a truly special ministry and offers a unique service to the community. I have had three children go through the program, and my fourth can't wait! The owners of Victory Ranch Inc. are caring and compassionate towards their students and horses. They offer a 10 week course on horsemanship information and riding. When my oldest child attended, my youngest foster child was an untrusting, scared little girl. Doug invited her to walk in the stables with him, and she even let him pick her up to pet one of the horses! The smile on her face and the tears of joy in mine are something I'll never forget. She is a well-adjusted seven-year-old today. Both the volunteers and horses have a gentle nature that mentors, encourages, and values every person at the ranch. May Victory Ranch Inc. continue their service to the community for many years to come!
There is no mistaking quality and caring! Both Doug and Pat Hutton give their all to the safety and nourishing of the children in the program as well as the horses on their ranch. The education program combines academic and experiential and the children leave their time in the program transformed. As both an educator and doctoral student who conducted research on the program, I can say that the both the parents and children rate them highly and observed true transformation in their children.
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Doug and Pat and the wonderful volunteers at Victory Ranch truly care and put children first. I've witnessed first hand how children open up to the horses and have such excitement in their eyes to come to class. Amazing group of people.
My two daughters were enrolled in this program and it was so wonderful for them. They teach respect for the animals as well as respect for themselves. They are gently taught in small steps and safety is their primary concern. Our family was greatly impacted by the great work of Victory Ranch.
Victory Ranch has continued to be one of the most positively impactful programs for children and families I work with. I have watched countless children with significant behavioral and emotionally needs transform through the program - by being with the horses and through the guidance provided by the Victory Ranch staff. Tremendous Program!
I have 2 children who participated in the Kids & Horses program at Victory. My children loved the interaction with the volunteers and the Horses. During the program, my daughter was able to concur her fear of the unknown. Learning to take care of the Horses and riding them helped her to build her confidence and feel better about herself. My son deals with Anxiety and working with Horses gave him a calm feeling. I reccommend this program for all children.
I volunteered there, the team is so genuine and passionate about their goals to help youth feel empowered while learning a cool new skill like taking care of/riding a horse.
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Hi, I worked with Victory ranch doing a little bit of marketing work. Doug and the staff are so passionate, kind, patient, good-hearted, and amazing. The kids really do take this program seriously and gain so much self confidence through the process. This is such an amazing help to the local community.
My daughter was in a life "funk" and actually depressed; there was little that was givnig her any joy. I wasn't sure if she would be interested in the horses or not, but I overheard her telling her friends and other family members the cool things she was getting to do--brush and feed the horses, lead and ride them. Each week her demeanor improved a little bit each time. The best example I can give is that the first few trips down, she sat in the back of our van and groaned. Around the 4th or 5th trip, she moved up to the middle seat and sat up; by the last few trips she hopped in the front seat, "Let's go!" She now wants to go back and volunteer when she turns 14. She felt like she had a special connection with the horses and learned more than just how to ride them. She was a different person by the end than she was at the beginning.
Doug was very patient with the girls, who could be squirrlly and easily distracted. I would recommend this as a special experience that might give kids that "special" thing they need to work through a tough time or give them something to look forward to.
My adoptive children attended this program and they loved it. My god daughter also got involved and now volunteers there. It is a wonderful program and Doug and Pat are awesome people.
Awesome program as always, great to see the kids go in and come out brighter than ever!
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It's amazing to see the progress the children make, coming like little shadows with no smiles, and leaving glowing, with bright expressions on their faces. For many of them, this is their first time getting close to a horse. It's such a great feeling when these kids open up to you, and being able to give them a reason to giggle and laugh no matter what situation they are in is extremely rewarding in itself.
outstanding program benefiting those underprivileged children who would not have the opportunities except through the programs afforded to them by Victory Ranch and its' leader/ founder, Doug Hutton.
Larry E. Pelzner
Great way to give to the community and experience all the love, bonding and affection that horses provide.
when i first started at victory ranch i was battelng depression. after the 6 weeks of the program i was feeling so much better about myself thanks to the horses as well as the amazing teachers Doug and Pat Hutton. i felt loved,accepted, and cared about. after the program i started volunteering and fell in love with the horses and belonging to the "victory ranch family".
I have worked as a rider and volunteer of Victory Ranch Inc and can say I have seen it change the lives of many youth in the area. This organization has a heart that cannot be ignored and a soul that can only be seen through the eyes of the kids and the horses they open up to.
Every year I continue to be impressed by the enthusiasm, expertise and care provided by Victory Ranch to their client children. They continue to change their lives for the positive. It is very noticeable from the beginning of the program through to the end of the program how the children learn and progress through the use of horses and expert trainers.
This is a solid program. Keep up the good work!
I am so honored and blessed to be able to help these disadvantaged kids that participate in our Kids & Horses Education Program that we have now been conducting for twelve year!
Many behavioral disorders are changed!
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Read moreI have gotten to witness, first hand for several years, the before and after of the VRI program for kids. The joy and success speaks for itself. Truly amazing. Thank you so much for all that you do VRI!
Doug and his team are awesome! These kids are really benefitting with Victory Ranch and will be able to take what they learn and integrate it into their lives in a healthy way. The fact that they do it for free is incredible!
Victory Ranch is a phenomenal place to learn about and ride horses. The staff is caring and friendly. They really care about the students, parents, volunteer and horses.
Wonderful program teaching foster children about horses. There is a very special bond that develops between a child and a horse, no human therapy can compare. Plus the program is run at no cost to the children or families served. Doug and Pat are fantastic!
I have see Victory Ranch build something great without much to go off of.
I hope they are able to continue changing kids' lives in the years to come.
We have had the pleasure of being involved with Victory Ranch for over three years. They provide a service to the community which is first-rate, giving opportunity to kids (and parents) to bond and be encouraged with a group of gentle , loving horses. The opportunity for kids to experience the world of horses is difficult to find in this large urban area. Victory Ranch fills this void with an entirely dedicated staff and well-cared for horses.
Victory Ranch & Victory Ranch team are Amazing!!! They offer an unprecedented program for amazing children.
Victory Ranch has been successful in touching the lives of disadvantaged children for the past ten years. The kids have fun - which is important to them, and they experience growth in patience, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles (primarily fear) which will last far beyond their time with VRI.
Such a great organization! The Kids & Horses Education Program really helps the kids build self-confidence!
My wife and I h have long been a supporter of Victory Ranch. For us, it was their work with autistic children that was so impressive. My wife's brother is autistic and we both know how trying this can be for friends, family and relatives. I have witnessed how Victory Ranch is able to reach autistic children and have them participate and learn how to be responsible for the care of a horse. It is amazing to watch an introverted person become more social and communicative based on the work of Victory Ranch.
I was first introduced to Doug Hutton and Victory Ranch when working as a Clinician therapist at EMQ Families First. The kids in my care had some pretty tough beginnings in life, having come from broken, chaotic families, and they had suffered much already despite their relatively few years - emotional or physical abuse, removal from parents and other traumas.
Coming to learn about horsemanship at the "Buckaroo School" gave these kids a new sense of confidence, and an understanding of the importance of such old school virtues as: cooperation, self-control (waiting their turn), care for animals, responsibility (pulling your weight), respect for themselves and others, and many other lessons that only can be fostered in a hands-on, experiential, learning environment such as a ranch.
Most importantly, I saw kids develop a sense of future. Gradually, not overnight, but session by session, they were growing incrementally in their abilities. They felt better about themselves, and were better able to manage the stressors in their lives. They didn't come from stable homes, but somehow, spending time at a stable, helped them feel more at home within themselves.
Kudos to Doug and Pat for their vision and courage to help disadvantaged kids! I cannot recommend Victory Ranch highly enough!
-Julie Tucker, LMFT
Amazing ranch with amazing horses and equally amazing people! Brings joy into the lives of those who need it the most! I'm lucky to be a part of it!
Doug Hutten is as committed as anyone can be. He tirelessly works at making Victory Ranch a sanctuary and safe place for serving children who otherwise would have no other opportunities in their lives.
The dedication shown by Victory Ranch for students, horses and volunteers alike is astounding. The program's results are consistent and clear - students gain confidence in themselves by learning to empathize and communicate effectively with horses. The journey of horsemanship begins with knowledge of self and knowledge of the horse, which helps set a foundation for healthy, respectful relationships and a lifetime of wisdom.
As a volunteer of four years, I am incredibly thankful to be involved in a thriving community of kindness and accountability, a truly safe place for its students and horses. I have seen students transform from being afraid to even approach a horse to being comfortable and confident on the horse's back, assured that they are leading the way, and giving "high fives" all around. Doug and Pat Hutten have consistently made Victory Ranch a truly safe and inspirational environment for all who join.
The opportunity to work with horses isn't always easily accessible, but the community and knowledge it inspires is unquestionable. Victory Ranch has managed to create a truly great program that brings an emotionally and socially therapeutic opportunity to those that need it most.
Many thanks for your support.
This is a wonderful, safe and happy place for kids to be around horses, learn from them and about them. The staff is so kind and enthusiastic, and always very conciencious about safety around the horses.
Victory Ranch is a great organization where caring volunteers work together under the guidance of Doug and Pat Hutton. They help under privileged youth gain confidence and horsemanship skills as they partner with their wonderful therapy horses and ponies. Many hearts have been healed with the unconditional love and acceptance of this amazing program.
Professionals with tons of heart! Great for the kids, their families and the community! You are in great hands with Victory Ranch.
The transformation in the children that participate in the program is astounding. I was lucky enough to volunteer five years for Victory Ranch, and seeing some of these kids enter the ranch with neither socialization skills nor self-confidence and come out with both is amazing. Friendships are made and useful life skills are acquired through the thoughtful and devoted care of Doug and his team. People tend to forget about the less fortunate in Silicon Valley, with all the affluence the Valley is known for, but they exist in many forms. Victory Ranch helps a neglected demographic feel like part of a group and feel valued. The work this nonprofit does is terrific and will hopefully go on for years to come.
Victory Ranch is an inspiring organization that is dedicated to serving the disdvantaged youth in our community.
I have seen my daughter grow as a person and horse rider,and Victory ranch offers a truly unique experience to children.
They have one of the best programs working with kids I have seen in years.
Really well trained horses.
Victory Ranch is an amazing organization! Their Kids and Horses program has been such a benefit to our foster children year after year. Doug and Pat make a wonderful team and are so thorough and caring. We have been blessed to have them as partners.
I highly support Victory Ranch and its work with children through equine relations. The character building and team work that strengthens the individual persona and therapeutically allows the child to process their emotions, feelings, and behaviors from a supportive and environmentally natural community is of a great need all over the world! I have seen the children become better mannered, more willing to participate and listen, and relate with humans and animals where they would otherwise not display confidence or consideration. This is change at its best!
This program has provided hundreds of foster children with the opportunity to learn about and care for horses!
The staff is kind and patient. The material is interesting and fun.
So often foster children come with little or no self esteem, yet get them around animals and they blossom!
Great program!!!