News & Events

2016 FREE Rendezvous & Carnival at The Ranch! – Sat, Oct. 1st 10am-3pm

Posted on by Sheryl Barlow

Screen Shot 2016-01-11 at 7.25.30 PM Looking for something fun to do near Rochester on Saturday, October 1st?

Round up the Critters and Come to The Annual H.O.P.E. Ranch Rendezvous & Carnival.

Here’s just a few reasons you’ll want to mark your calendar:
It’s Fun (Attendance grows each year!)
It’s Free (That means $0 to get in and $0 to park)
It’s on a Ranch just a few minutes outside of Rochester.
The proceeds benefit the animals and provide scholarships for clients.

Come hang out with:
Horses
Kittens
Dogs
Other Animals
And some really nice people

Round up the kids. Herd ‘em out to The Ranch and saddle up to the many events:
Animal Grooming
Carnival Games
Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!
Face Painting
Silent Auction Items
Delicious Homemade Baked Goods
Superhero Appearances
Photo Opportunities
And More!

Your kids will leave happy and exhausted.

Check out a few photos from last year’s Rendezvous & Carnival:

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SSTAR Camp: Gives Teens Strategies & Tools for Success

Posted on by Sheryl Barlow

Screen Shot 2016-07-27 at 6.30.30 AMWhen children reach adolescence; relationships, self image, peer pressure, trust and whole host of other issues become crucial. Teens need to develop tools and strategies to help them deal with what will come their way. SSTAR Camp was developed for this very reason. 

SSTAR Camp is ideal for youth seeking to develop tools and strategies needed to make good choices. Experiential activities with H.O.P.E. Ranch horses help youth learn about:
Group Cohesion
Personal safety
Trust
Self-image
Relationships
Peer pressure
Empowerment
Bullying
Saying good-bye

The next SSTAR Camp Session will be August 22-25,  2016 from 9am to Noon for 12-16 year-olds. (Teens will be split into similar age groups) Cost is $300.

Call: (507) 281-3033 to Register

How is SSTAR Camp different?
« Utilizes EAGALA and other experiential activities
« Licensed mental health professional facilitator
« Special education teacher facilitator
« All equine related activities are done on the ground

To learn more or register, call us today at 507-281-3033!

June is PTSD Awareness Month

Posted on by Sheryl Barlow

Screen Shot 2016-06-23 at 10.25.22 AMThe United States Senate designated June 27th as National PTSD Awareness Day and The National Center for PTSD designates the entire month of June as PTSD Awareness Month in an effort to bring greater awareness to the issue of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.)

WHAT IS PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health problem that can occur after someone has been exposed to a single traumatic event or multiple traumatic events, such as sexual or physical assault, natural or man-made disaster, and war-related combat stress. Those suffering experience symptoms such as  persistent intrusive thoughts and distressing dreams about the traumatic event, triggered emotional responses to reminders of the trauma, try to avoid thinking or talking about the trauma, and persistent hypervigilance for cues that  indicate additional danger or trauma re-occurring.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD was created in 1989 by a congressional mandate. The goals was to address the needs of veterans with military-related PTSD.

After a traumatic event, effects of the event fade over time for most people. But for others, the memories, thoughts and feelings don’t go away – even months or years after the event is over. Mental health experts are not sure why some people develop PTSD and others do not.

POSSIBLE TREATMENTS FOR PTSD

There are many possible treatments for PTSD and a person may have to try a number of them before finding one that works: Counseling and Psychotherapy Treatments such as: Cognitive Psychotherapy, Exposure Psychotherapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for instance. Some suffering from PTSD may also benefit from anti-depressant medications.

There’s a rapidly growing interest in equine-assisted psychotherapy supporting the psychological health and family relationships of service members, veterans and their families worldwide.

More than 30 VA Medical Centers are participating in Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) programs all around the US.

WHY HORSESScreen Shot 2016-06-23 at 10.25.53 AM

According to EAGALA.ORG, The experiential nature of working with horses through the EAGALA Model engages military personnel in their own healing process, with solutions that meet them squarely on their own terms.

Horses have a special ability to help people work through emotional barriers, serving as metaphors and powerful stand-ins for the people, issues, and challenges in the client’s life. The EAGALA Model leads to powerful emotional breakthroughs and life-changing insights for the client, strengthening resilience and coping skills. Through the efforts of facilitators certified with EAGALA Military Services designation, service members, veterans, and their families can more quickly and completely understand and integrate new perspectives and behaviors into their lives.

This is especially true and valuable for people who suffer the effects of trauma. With the EAGALA Model Psychotherapy, clients challenge themselves in activities with horses that remove much of the perceived stigma associated with traditional talk Psychotherapy treatment methods.

If you know a military person or anyone suffering from PTSD, consider horse Psychotherapy through the EAGALA Model.

“We have conducted a number of EAGALA EAP sessions. The veterans who participate
tell me that never have they found a group or individual session so useful and life
changing, and that they have found hope. After these workshops, many reflect
frequently on the experience and skills learned then take these lessons into their
daily lives.”

                                                    -Susan T. Lisi, AFGE Local 3306 Chief Steward,
                                                      VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York

“Seeing how differently the horses reacted to each one of us has helped
me get closer to my wife.  It has brought our entire family
closer than we have ever been.”

                                                      -Iraq War veteran

Resources: EAGALA Military Services Brochure
OPRAH: (Video) How Horses Help An Army Veteran Heal From Post Traumatic Stress
PTSD Facts

Animal Wellness Clinic comes to H.O.P.E. Ranch

Posted on by Sheryl Barlow

H.O.P.E. Ranch will be hosting an animal wellness clinic Saturday, June 11th 9am-3pm featuring the incredible Dr Margaret Meier Jones.

This is a wellness clinic for any animals with the exception of reptiles.

Dr. Margaret Meier Jones, DVM CVSMT will be on hand to work her magic.

Horse WellnessYou’ll see chiropractic techniques, massage, acupuncture & more.
Call ahead for an *appointment that day or watch the demos and learn. 507-281-3033 or email: officeadmin@hoperanchteam.com

*Bring or send ahead proof of vaccination.

Animals need to be kept on leashes or in cars until it’s their turn for treatment.

Cost for Day Of Treatment:
$100 for horse chiropractic or acupuncture (or $150 for both services)
$50 for dog or cat services

Dr. Margaret Meier Jones, DVM CVSMT comes to us from the Animal Wellness Center of Buffalo Valley, Mondovi, WI. She is certified in animal chiropractic and acupuncture.

Proceeds from this clinic will go towards scholarships for psychotherapy and animal care.

Seeking Volunteers for H.O.P.E Ranch Rendezvous & Carnival

Posted on by Sheryl Barlow

Screen Shot 2016-05-08 at 8.50.08 PMThe 2016 H.O.P.E. Ranch Rendezvous and Carnival will take place Saturday, October 1st from 10am – 3pm.

This is a fun filled day for kids and adults and we are looking for volunteers to help with the activities.

There are many ways to participate, either the day of, or prepping for the event.

We need people to run the carnival games, silent auction, crafts area, face painting & more.  Grab a buddy if you’d like. We take pairs of volunteers.

Click here to check out the possible jobs and/or to sign up!

This event has grown by leaps and bounds. We promise a fun time! The event is held at H.O.P.E Ranch and admission and parking are free. The best part-this is a fundraiser. All proceeds go for client scholarships and animal care.

To volunteer: click this link.
Or call us at 507-281-3033.

 

Looking For a Unique Idea & Approach to Staff Development Retreats?

Posted on by Sheryl Barlow

For a successful staff retreat get out of the conference room and onto H.O.P.E. Ranch for your next corporate development event.

If you are seeking:

  • Staff Training & Team Building
  • Management & Leadership Training
  • Unique Idea & Approach to your Staff Development Retreat
  • Corporate Development Retreats

Minutes from downtown lies a beautiful 8 acre ranch in the hills SW of Rochester, MN.
                  An oasis for escape and exquisite experiences.

Why It’s Necessary:
Just like a sports team, your staff must take time to huddle up, attend training camp,  practice and rehab. Even with great leaders, a team, only immersed in the mundane daily activities, will experience dysfunction. Your team needs this critical team building time to rebuild and come out winning.

How it Works:
Based on an initial conversation of your goals or issues, we’ll design a series of activities for your staff to perform around or with the horses. After each exercise a series of discussions will get your staff talking about feelings, experiences and ideas. This can’t happen in a conference room. We’ve experienced some truly amazing breakthroughs.

Why Horses:
Horses are a completely honest and powerful “mirror” of humans. Your sessions will follow the EAGALA EQUINE ASSISTED DEVELOPMENT MODEL: Designed around a framework of practice. Within that framework are infinite opportunities for creativity and adaptability depending on individual goals.

What Outcomes Can You Expect:

  • Discover your team’s unique dynamics and build on them
  • Truly learn to value each team member
  • Improve cooperation & communication
  • Provide team dynamics & education that will last long after the sessions

Team participation around tasks is essential for breaking barriers and learning to work together. Movement allows the mind to work differently and doing it in a social setting allows your people to interact in new ways. HOPE Ranch participants have experienced amazing breakthroughs and your team can too. Having fun while they’re learning is just a bonus.

Sessions take place in the pasture, barn, arena and meeting areas.
No riding is involved. (But wear your pasture shoes!)

Session Length:
Customized for your needs.

Cost:
Probably less than you think.
Contact us today and we’ll send you more information and package examples.
Email: secretary@hoperanchteam.com
Call: 507-281-3033

Road Construction Season

Posted on by Kit

road constructionSalem Road SW, which runs right in front of H.O.P.E. Ranch, will be under construction starting Wednesday, July 15. The estimated end date is not yet known. You will still be able to use that road to get to H.O.P.E. Ranch, but traffic will be slow.

There are alternate roads to take that will bypass all but a few feet of Salem Road.

County Road 104 (60th Ave. SW) is the closest road to us. To access this from the North, take Country Club Road SW (2nd St. SW) and turn South on Cty. Rd. 104. Turn right onto Salem Rd. SW and H.O.P.E. Ranch will be almost immediately to your right.

From the South, take 40th St. SW and turn North on Cty. Rd. 104. Turn right onto Salem Rd. SW and H.O.P.E. Ranch will be almost immediately to your left.

Please contact us if you have any question about the detours.