How Do I Get
Started?
Started?
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| Who Can Participate in the Programs at Refuge? |
Anyone who feels like they can benefit from what Refuge
offers. Our programs are offered absolutely free of
charge and we do not limit our services to people from a
particular social or economic background. We simply aim
to be a family and shelter for those who need one. These
are the only requirements for participating in the programs
here at Refuge:
offers. Our programs are offered absolutely free of
charge and we do not limit our services to people from a
particular social or economic background. We simply aim
to be a family and shelter for those who need one. These
are the only requirements for participating in the programs
here at Refuge:
- 1. Participants, both children and adults alike,
must WANT to be here. Willingness and a desire
to participate is a necessary component for
healing and change.
2. All children must be accompanied by a parent
or legal guardian. In addition to liability laws, we
believe that a child benefits greatly from having
their parents there cheering them on!
3. All participants must have a signed copy of the
Illinois Equine Activity Liability Act as well as a
signed release form on file.
In Refuge's foundational program,
participants will be paired in one-on-
one mentoring relationships. Each
individual will work with a mentor 2 - 4
sessions per month. Individual
sessions will last approximately 2
hours and will consist of doing chores
at the ranch as well as working directly
with animals.
The goal is not just to teach horseback
riding lessons, but to teach participants
the basics of farm life, horsemanship
and husbandry for other farm animals.
This includes but is not limited to:
While riding will be a part of some
sessions, it is not the main objective of
the mentoring time. The primary
objective is to meet each person and
animal where they are, set appropriate
goals for each, and work towards
them.
We recognize that every participant is
an individual. Mentors and parents will
work together to identify specific needs
for each participant and to set
appropriate goals. All of this is
offered absolutely free of charge for
every participant!
participants will be paired in one-on-
one mentoring relationships. Each
individual will work with a mentor 2 - 4
sessions per month. Individual
sessions will last approximately 2
hours and will consist of doing chores
at the ranch as well as working directly
with animals.
The goal is not just to teach horseback
riding lessons, but to teach participants
the basics of farm life, horsemanship
and husbandry for other farm animals.
This includes but is not limited to:
- How to handle a horse safely
- Knowing the proper way to
groom a horse - Riding
- Parts of a horse
- How to recognize lameness
and illness - How and what to feed
While riding will be a part of some
sessions, it is not the main objective of
the mentoring time. The primary
objective is to meet each person and
animal where they are, set appropriate
goals for each, and work towards
them.
We recognize that every participant is
an individual. Mentors and parents will
work together to identify specific needs
for each participant and to set
appropriate goals. All of this is
offered absolutely free of charge for
every participant!
| How Does it Work? |
If you are interested in scheduling a session at the ranch
for yourself or your child, you can contact us through the
website with your email or phone number. Someone
from the ranch will be in touch to schedule an initial
appointment.
for yourself or your child, you can contact us through the
website with your email or phone number. Someone
from the ranch will be in touch to schedule an initial
appointment.
| REFUGE RANCH |
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