Raven Rock Ranch, located in Redmond, WA, is a brand dedicated to intercepting and breaking the cycles of trauma, suicide, and domestic violence by pairing trauma-impacted individuals with rescued horses. With a mission to serve children of all backgrounds, their commitment to unconditional love and acceptance shines through in all their endeavors. At Raven Rock Ranch, they offer Equine Facilitated Therapy for At-Risk Youth, providing mental health support for individuals aged 7 and above who have experienced severe emotional, physical, or verbal trauma and abuse.

Their program, founded in 2011, focuses on serving Western Washington, specifically King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties. The program's design at Raven Rock Ranch is centered around scientifically proven mental health therapies that prioritize individualized care. With a one-on-one approach, clients work closely with a horse and a trained facilitator to develop essential skills such as cooperation, trust, healthy boundaries, and responsibility.

All facilitators at the ranch are certified in Human Equine Alliances for Learning (HEAL), an internationally recognized model of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning. What sets Raven Rock Ranch apart is their commitment to rescue and rehabilitation. Many of their horses come from abusive homes or abandonment, and once in their care, each animal is carefully evaluated for temperament and behavior to ensure they are an ideal fit for the program and clients.

Raven Rock Ranch works closely with various organizations, including veteran organizations, social service agencies, churches, and schools, to receive referrals. Additionally, families in need can also self-refer and go through a screening process with the Admissions Director. Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning (EFPL) has proven to be highly effective in treating trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental health stressors.

This therapeutic approach directly addresses the emotions and body sensations associated with trauma, making it a unique and powerful healing tool. Through the bond developed between the horse, client, and facilitator, individuals can find safety and healing, enabling human-to-human relationships to flourish. Raven Rock Ranch has seen incredible success stories.

One such example is Irene (name changed), who turned to the program after experiencing a traumatic incident at a young age. Over time, she regained her strength and courage, eventually graduating high school on time and embarking on a journey into performing arts in college. However, the demand for Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning has surged, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges faced by veterans returning from war.

To continue providing free mental health services, Raven Rock Ranch relies on donations from the community. Their goal is to expand their staff, facilitators, and horses to serve all those in need. For example, a donation of $8,500 can support the annual cost of one client, while $7,000 can support the annual cost of a horse.

Raven Rock Ranch is the only no-cost Equine-Facilitated Therapy program in the entire Western Washington region. Their services are provided free of charge, and their success rates are remarkable. Clients feel safe and accepted while interacting with the horses, resulting in a high completion and retention rate.

To support Raven Rock Ranch and make a positive impact on the lives of trauma-impacted individuals, reach out to them at the provided contact information. Together, we can inspire healing, resilience, and hope