RUNNIN FREE RANCH
Experience Freedom at Runnin Free Ranch
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
According to mentalhealthtx.org 1 in 5 adult Texans will experience a mental health concern at some point this year. Over 20% of children ages 9-17 have a diagnosed mental illness.
Runnin Free Ranch is working to address our communities mental health needs by providing professional equine assisted counseling services free of charge. Much of the time mental health those who need mental health services the most can face many obstacles to receiving those services. For example they may not have insurance, they may not qualify for services and/or they are just overwhelmed by the process of applying for services. Runnin Free Ranch desires to remove any obstacle that may be in the way of receiving the mental health help that a person needs by providing equine assisted counseling free of charge. Finally, this experiential type of therapy may also be more inviting and beneficial to certain populations, such as veterans with PTSD, as opposed to conventional therapy.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Equine Assisted Counseling
Runnin Free Ranch facilitates one to two hour sessions for each individual, family or group using a mental health professional, horse specialist and a rescued horse or horses to help participants affected by trauma to examine their human relationship patterns through the example of their human/horse relationship experience.
In other equine assisted activities the horse and activity are used as possible metaphors, where the mental health professional and/or equine specialist point out these possible metaphors to the participant(s) or group to their life experiences.
Equine assisted counseling, mentoring and group sessions are provided FREE OF CHARGE
Facilitation of equine assisted activities and trauma focused equine assisted psychotherapy in which one has the opportunity to learn communication skills, team building, goal setting, confidence building, personal insight and how to build healthy connected relationships through the human/horse relationship experience.
Sessions are individually tailored to meet each participant's need
Where we work
External reviews

Our Sustainable Development Goals
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1. To be a non judgemental, non pressured environment
2. To make mental health services accessible to all by providing our services free of charge
3, To incorporate equine assisted counseling sessions to help those affected by mental health issues such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other anxiety issues, depression and behavioral and emotional issues.
4. To help a person experience freedom in their life by either introducing a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ or by helping them to grow in their walk with Jesus.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategies are to
1. Welcome each person to Runnin Free Ranch no matter their status, race, disability or gender
2. To create fundraising opportunities, encourage donations and seek funding opportunities so we can continue to offer our services free of charge.
3. Facilitate equine assisted counseling sessions that are tailored to meet the need presented
4. Be the light and the salt of the earth that points to Jesus when an opportunity is presented
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
First we are not capable of doing this. We believe at Runnin Free Ranch that these goals and strategies are ultimately accomplished by Jesus working in us, His power not ours.
With that being said, Runnin Free Ranch has 3 rescued horses that are a part of our therapy program.
We have two fundraisers each year, a fishing tournament and a horse clinic. We are continuing to expand our fundraising opportunities to help support Runnin Free Ranch and we have active partnerships with other local counselors, the boys and girls club, veteran associations and mhmr
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We do not charge for our sessions and we have increased the number of equine assisted counseling sessions from approximately 40 sessions in 2016 to 100 sessions in 2017 and over 400 session in 2018
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
RUNNIN FREE RANCH
Board of directorsas of 06/24/2023
Matt Neal
GAF
Term: 2020 - 2022
Matt Walker
Pastor of Anthony Drive Baptist Church
Term: 2019 - 2022
Matt Walker
Pastor of Anthony Drive Baptist Church, Ennis, TX
Matt Neal
Engineer at GAF
Joyce Lindauer
Attorney
DJ Dojahn
Entrepreneur
Ashley Neal
Physical Therapist
Frances Smith
Attorney
Adrienne Standeford
Director of Operations
Amy Dojahn
LPC
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data