How H.U.G.S. Started
H.U.G.S. Ranch (Hope, Understanding, Guidance, Support) began in 2006, when my children and I were going through a particularly tough time in our lives. My three young kids and I were living on the property that would eventually become H.U.G.S. Ranch, with horses of our own, each struggling in our own ways. During this time, the parents of one of my riding students gave me the book Hope Rising – Stories from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams by Kim Meeder, the story of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon. (From their website, “Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch exists to provide a safe and positive experience for children and families to learn about the saving hope of Jesus Christ in an authentic western environment.”) They thought I should start a ranch like Crystal Peaks because of my love for both children and horses. Little did they know that at this point in my life, I had no self-confidence, self-esteem, or self-worth.
Two years later, during a counseling session, my counselor suggested it would be best for everyone if we continued living on the property. I kept thinking about how we could manage to do that, as well as the possibility of opening a ranch like Crystal Peaks that could serve the children of west Michigan. Being a single parent of three young children and working three to four jobs just to make ends meet, this seemed like an impossible dream to me. After my daughter read and reread Hope Rising, she asked if we could do this too. I prayed and asked God if we could stay at the ranch, and use it to help children, families and horses who were struggling. I thought even if we could help one family it would be worth it.
I shared this idea with Jill Glass, one of my coworkers at the veterinary clinic where I worked. Jill loved the idea and agreed to become my partner and co-founder. Still working three to four jobs and raising my children, then ages 2, 6 and 8, Jill and I started H.U.G.S. Ranch. Using my two horses and with two volunteers, we had two session children that first year. We also applied for 501C3 status, which we received in 2008.
Today, much like Crystal Peaks, H.U.G.S. Ranch is a place where all children are invited to come as they are to work toward hope through a variety of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) activities in a faith-based western environment.
Horses, and animals in general, can be very therapeutic. We have rescued and received donated horses over the years, now with 15 in total. The horses provide so much hope and healing to so many children and families. We have seen participants go from being a participant to becoming volunteers and mentors. They understand and know what it feels like to walk in the shoes of the people who are coming through our programs.
Over the years our programs have grown and evolved based on what we felt the communities in our area needed. We currently have six types of programs we offer to children, families and businesses:
One-on-one sessions
Crisis sessions
Group sessions
Family sessions
Women’s EAL
Corporate Team Building
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My children are now 21, 25, and 27. H.U.G.S. Ranch has not only made a difference in the lives of all the children and families that come to the ranch, but also in my children and me. The hard work and perseverance my children learned through the ranch has carried into their adult lives today.
We are blessed to be able to make a difference in the lives of so many struggling with mental health. We are not therapists, but we have seen horses do amazing healing and provide hope for those who have lost their hope. Our Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) activities help these children build resilience, self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth.
Our participants attend free of charge or by donation. No one is turned away because of financial stress. Many of our families are already dealing with high medical and counseling bills. Financial support from individual and corporate donors allows us to continue our mission to provide a safe place for these children and families to experience hope, understanding, guidance, and support. We want you to join us in making that a reality for more families.