Explore the
power of
equine
connections
at Spirit Winds Ranch
Explore the
power of
equine
connections
at Spirit Winds Ranch
Who we are
We’re a non-riding facility that focuses on connecting with horses from the ground using Equine-Assisted Learning as our foundation. Our mission here is to offer the opportunity to explore horse-powered connections to at-risk kids and other marginalized groups, which in turn helps to encourage individual and team growth. Our ranch is a place of communication and understanding, where judgments are not made. Please check out our About Us page here to learn more.
Read about our Equine- Assisted Learning (EAL) based programs for at-risk youth and other marginalized groups. We work with many different groups, but we mainly specialize in working with schools to help children who are struggling.
We’re extremely grateful and proud of the volunteer base we’ve built, and believe everyone’s role is important, no matter how small it may seem. Check out our volunteer page! We have three types of volunteer positions: program, general, and professional maintenance.
We greatly appreciate donations of supplies, gift cards, or monetary donations, by donating you help us run and maintain our programs! Check out our donate page which also has a Wishlist.
Meet the herd at the Spirit Winds Ranch, our “1200 lb teachers” as we lovingly call them. Our horses have come from all over to retire here and connect with participants on different levels.
Programs
Read about our Equine- Assisted Learning (EAL) based programs for at-risk youth and other marginalized groups. We work with many different groups, but we mainly specialize in working with schools to help children who are struggling.
Get Involved
We’re extremely grateful and proud of the volunteer base we’ve built, and believe everyone’s role is important, no matter how small it may seem. Check out our volunteer page! We have three types of volunteer positions: program, general, and professional maintenance.
Donate
We greatly appreciate donations of supplies, gift cards, or monetary donations, by donating you help us run and maintain our programs! Check out our donate page which also has a Wishlist.
Our Horses
Meet the herd at the Spirit Winds Ranch, our “1200 lb teachers” as we lovingly call them. Our horses have come from all over to retire here and connect with participants on different levels.
Testimonials
“Throughout the program, I observed significant personal growth among the students. Students who initially appeared nervous and anxious gradually became more comfortable, engaged, and active in the sessions. It’s incredible to see students who struggle to interact with one another come out of their shells and work with new people. This experience enabled the students to develop their interpersonal skills in a safe environment…”
Sarah Bradley, Youth Development Advisor
“The students who were lucky enough to attend the sessions, finished each day with a smile on their face and increased confidence. The learning that goes along with working around such large animals cannot be duplicated in our school environment. Each student walked away from the equine learning sessions with a greater understanding of kindness, compassion, confidence, collaboration, teamwork and taking responsibility for their actions…”
Jason Billings (Principal) and Colleen Heschl-Ball (Childhood Development Advisor)
“My experience with the students when we would debrief after Equine Learning, was that they (the kids) were all more talkative and they seemed to have an increased level of pride and accomplishment. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students involved and I know it will be one of those “school days” experiencesthat they will think of as a turning point for them.”
C. Heschel-Ball, Teacher
“…The positive impact of your program is evident in the smiles and progress we see in our students. Through your compassionate guidance and the unique connection they have developed with the horses, they have gained invaluable skills and experiences that traditional therapies often cannot offer. The calm and supportive environment you create allows them to thrive… The therapeutic benefits they receive from your classes extend far beyond the sessions, contributing to their overall well-being and development.“
Jody Wiggins, Education Authority
“…interacting with horses in a therapeutic setting has proven to be invaluable in helping our students work through various challenges they face. Parents have expressed deep gratitude for the positive experience their children had. One parent commented. “My daughter came home every day excited to tell me about the horses. She learned about how they communicate and how she could communicate back to them. I think this has helped her to consider non-verbal communication in people as well, something she has struggled with.”…”
Dave Banderk, Principal
Testimonials
“Throughout the program, I observed significant personal growth among the students. Students who initially appeared nervous and anxious gradually became more comfortable, engaged, and active in the sessions. It’s incredible to see students who struggle to interact with one another come out of their shells and work with new people. This experience enabled the students to develop their interpersonal skills in a safe environment…”
Sarah Bradley, Youth Development Advisor
“The students who were lucky enough to attend the sessions, finished each day with a smile on their face and increased confidence. The learning that goes along with working around such large animals cannot be duplicated in our school environment. Each student walked away from the equine learning sessions with a greater understanding of kindness, compassion, confidence, collaboration, teamwork and taking responsibility for their actions…”
Jason Billings (Principal) and Colleen Heschl-Ball (Childhood Development Advisor)
“My experience with the students when we would debrief after Equine Learning, was that they (the kids) were all more talkative and they seemed to have an increased level of pride and accomplishment. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students involved and I know it will be one of those “school days” experiencesthat they will think of as a turning point for them.”
C. Heschel-Ball, Teacher
“…The positive impact of your program is evident in the smiles and progress we see in our students. Through your compassionate guidance and the unique connection they have developed with the horses, they have gained invaluable skills and experiences that traditional therapies often cannot offer. The calm and supportive environment you create allows them to thrive… The therapeutic benefits they receive from your classes extend far beyond the sessions, contributing to their overall well-being and development.“
Jody Wiggins, Education Authority
“…interacting with horses in a therapeutic setting has proven to be invaluable in helping our students work through various challenges they face. Parents have expressed deep gratitude for the positive experience their children had. One parent commented. “My daughter came home every day excited to tell me about the horses. She learned about how they communicate and how she could communicate back to them. I think this has helped her to consider non-verbal communication in people as well, something she has struggled with.”…”
Dave Banderk, Principal
Testimonials
“Throughout the program, I observed significant personal growth among the students. Students who initially appeared nervous and anxious gradually became more comfortable, engaged, and active in the sessions. It’s incredible to see students who struggle to interact with one another come out of their shells and work with new people. This experience enabled the students to develop their interpersonal skills in a safe environment…”
Sarah Bradley, Youth Development Advisor
“The students who were lucky enough to attend the sessions, finished each day with a smile on their face and increased confidence. The learning that goes along with working around such large animals cannot be duplicated in our school environment. Each student walked away from the equine learning sessions with a greater understanding of kindness, compassion, confidence, collaboration, teamwork and taking responsibility for their actions…”
Jason Billings (Principal) and Colleen Heschl-Ball (Childhood Development Advisor)
“My experience with the students when we would debrief after Equine Learning, was that they (the kids) were all more talkative and they seemed to have an increased level of pride and accomplishment. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students involved and I know it will be one of those “school days” experiencesthat they will think of as a turning point for them.”
C. Heschel-Ball, Teacher
“…The positive impact of your program is evident in the smiles and progress we see in our students. Through your compassionate guidance and the unique connection they have developed with the horses, they have gained invaluable skills and experiences that traditional therapies often cannot offer. The calm and supportive environment you create allows them to thrive… The therapeutic benefits they receive from your classes extend far beyond the sessions, contributing to their overall well-being and development.“
Jody Wiggins, Education Authority
“…interacting with horses in a therapeutic setting has proven to be invaluable in helping our students work through various challenges they face. Parents have expressed deep gratitude for the positive experience their children had. One parent commented. “My daughter came home every day excited to tell me about the horses. She learned about how they communicate and how she could communicate back to them. I think this has helped her to consider non-verbal communication in people as well, something she has struggled with.”…”
Dave Banderk, Principal