Two mini horses, one eating, one standing

Initiatives & Upcoming Group Sessions

Mental Health Awareness Month | May

May 1st-31st, 2026
Your support makes this work possible!
At Willow Ranch Equine Assisted Counseling, we witness the healing power of horses every day—helping children, adults, and families process trauma, manage anxiety, and rediscover hope. This May, we are proud to participate in the Horses for Mental Health Campaign, a global initiative raising awareness and support for equine‑assisted mental health programs.
100% of donations directly support Willow Ranch and our herd. Donate today and help transform lives.
Donate at Horses for Mental Health
Veterans Group | June 4, 11, 18 & 25

Thursdays, 10am–12pm
Interactive horse activities are facilitated in a game format that are designed to allow the horse and veteran to partner together. Sessions focus on ground-based equine interaction to promote connection, emotional awareness, and personal growth. Equine experiences will be held on Thursdays for 4 weeks, June 4, 11, 18 & 25, from 10am–12pm. Space is limited to 8 veterans, and registration is required. Please contact us for more information. Fees have been covered by a generous donor; however, donations are welcomed!
Reference Article: A Multi-Site Observational Evaluation of the Equine AssistedGrowth and Learning Association Model of Equine-AssistedPsychotherapy for Veteran Trauma Survivors
To register, contact: willowranchveterans@gmail.com

Willow Ranch promotes hope, healing and wellness while partnering with our herd.

Your path to progress starts now.

“Praise be to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Plan a Visit

Physical, social, emotional
Increase desire to connect
Increase oxytocin levels in the brain
Increase positive ways to cope
Improved cognitive thinking

Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy

Reduce stress in crisis
Social bonding
Improved relaxation
Increase trust
Assess and assert boundaries

Decrease anxiety, stress and sadness
Boosted immunity
Lower blood pressure
Improve social lives

“This was an amazing experience for me. I would say it is like having 10 years of therapy in just one session. Being with the horses is very healing.”

—Client Review, 2021
“I was not expecting to have such a powerful response to my session. The atmosphere was such a safe and caring place that I was able to make a major breakthrough and find several areas about myself that were holding me back from living a full life.”

—Client Review, 2021
“Our family wanted to take this time to express how grateful we are. Willow Ranch has allowed our sons to learn about their emotions , responsibility, and has helped to build their self-esteem.”

—Client Review, 2023
“Ms. Christa and Ms. Wendy are truly amazing! They are so welcoming, loving, helpful, and understanding. We can’t say enough on how much we love this place.”

—Client Review, 2023
“We are so lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of such a great program. Thank you for all that you do! We truly appreciate your hard work and dedication to these children. Thank you.”

—Client Review, 2023
“I truly believe that the Willow Ranch way of working through issues would have saved me 40-50 years of floundering around like a fish out of water had I known about it or found it sooner. I believe in the God who leads you and I believe in the modality.”

—Client Review, 2025
“Fabulous marriage workshop. Can’t wait to recommend to friends.”

—Client Review, 2025 Marriage Workshop
“It was fun and I really liked the experience. I learned how to be calmer.”

—Client Review, 2025 Teen Group
“I learned to feel better about myself and feel more confident.”

—Client Review, 2025 Teen Group
“Horses have always helped me and the girls are so sweet.”

—Client Review, 2025 Teen Group
“I learned to trust myself.”

—Client Review, 2025 Teen Group
“I learned that you can trust people but not everybody. I trust the people that were there.”

—Client Review, 2025 Teen Group
Thank you for taking time out to share about Willow Ranch and provide such an amazing, personal experience. God has truly gifted you and your horses to bring healing and hope.

Client Thank You Note, 2025
"My time at Willow Ranch showed me connection is still possible and that there are people I can trust."

—Veteran Client Review, 2026
"My time at Willow Ranch gave me insight into what direction I needed to go." . . . "The best part was being with the horses and in a group setting ." . . . " I learned I need to not only do right by others but also do right to myself."

—Veteran Client Reviews, 2026
"During my time at Willow Ranch I learned that I should not blame myself for everything but look at the big picture." . . . "I learned to let go of what was not working."

—Veteran Client Reviews, 2026
"It’s an honor to support Willow Ranch financially each month. We’ve seen the impact in the lives that are touched by the horses, Christa, and the volunteers. Our donation can help in a small way to offset the costs of running this amazing place that helps people in their healing journey."

—Donor Testimonial, 2026
“I have seen self-confidence grow and I’ve learned different ways to work with others and I feel like that makes me a better person and friend overall.” . . . “(I learned) that I can tell people no, and I can talk to people. I learned this when we were working with the horses and others.”

—Girls Group Participants, Spring 2026
“I have learned to communicate and show kindness.” . . . “ I enjoyed being with the horses.” . . . “ I have gained confidence.” . . . “ I am able to talk through things and I can stand up for myself and I’m not doing any of the behaviors that I was doing before I came here.”

—Girls Group Participants, Spring 2026

Willow Ranch collaborates with many non-profits!

3F Ranch
Savannah Station
House of Healing
Veterans K9 Equine Alliance
100Fore22 Foundation
Veterans For Life USA
Defenders of Freedom
Genesis Project
Scamper Squad Run Club

Check out our shop!

Willow Ranch is proud to provide a sanctuary for our equine companions.

Lady Hawk

Butter Bean Sprout

Two-Spot

Large brown horse in a field standing behind a fence

Tater

Large brown horse standing in the dirt in front of a fence

Sophie

Large dark brown horse standing in the dirt in front of a gate

Spanky

Owned by: Paradigm Farm LLC, and Samantha Powell

Large white horse standing in the dirt in front of a fence

Eagle

Owned by: Paradigm Farm LLC, and Samantha Powell

Rudy

Rowdy

Little Bill

Missy

Forever in Our Hearts, 09.02.25

Heritage

Sundance

Owned by: Jeannie Kern

Poco Bueno Boston

Owned by: Deborah Lee Gay
Leased by: Jeannie Kern

Welcome to Willow Ranch! I am a certified eagala practitioner. For over twenty-five years I have worked with children, adolescents, and families to facilitate educational and therapeutic change to increase resiliency and provide an opportunity for a more hopeful future through the use of a client centered trusting relationship and evidence-based therapies and practices. My philosophy of care is based on a desire to seek to understand each person seeking help. I practice from an experiential and cognitive-behavioral framework, based in theology and psychology.

Together we will explore one's spiritual, relational, physical and emotional wellbeing. Through a therapeutic relationship you will identify beliefs, develop goals, and work toward positive change.