INSPIRATION RANCH INC
Hope. Renew. Inspire.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Montgomery County Judge Wayne Mack states that his county lost 108 community members to suicide in 2021. Montgomery County’s suicide rate is 16 (16 deaths from suicide for every 100,000 residents), and 11 in Harris County. The rate across Texas is only 13. The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health warns that suicide rates in Texas would continue to rise due to isolation, job loss, and the loss of life and overall security due to the pandemic. Our mental health program is a powerful tool for trauma care. According to the census, more than 517,000 people in the three counties in Texas that Inspiration Ranch serves are diagnosed with a special need, or disability. While many of these unique individuals are in special education programs and take part in physical or occupational therapy, their families still look for ways to help them learn, grow, develop strength, and connect to the world around them. Therapeutic riding can make a profound difference for these individuals and their families
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding
Our therapeutic riding program helps a number of disabilities, including orthopedic, neurological, emotional, hearing, vision, autism, and rare genetic disorders. It strengthens core muscles, builds lung strength, develops hand-eye coordination, and stimulates cognitive growth. We serve 41 different diagnoses, with most of our clients having multiple diagnoses, and strive to serve everyone with special challenges regardless of financial situation.
From first steps and first words to increased confidence and enhanced motor skills, we have the testimonies of countless families whose lives have been forever changed by our programs. All of this leads to better social and health outcomes for our riders.
Everyone in therapeutic riding with us is on scholarship. Our cost per client, per ride, is $250. Families pay just 20% of that, or $50. We will never allow finances to keep someone from therapeutic riding and 34% of clients are on further scholarship.
Equine-Assisted Mental Health
Our program is a unique therapy experience. This trauma-informed, trauma-focused psychotherapy model provides a process to build connected relationships and overcome stress and trauma. It uses relationship principles from both horse and human neuropsychology and psychology. Based on an understanding of how trauma affects brain function and the underlying relationship principles that address the development of secure attachments, a foundational tenet of the program is that healthy relationships are the building blocks for all healing.
Horses are critical to the process; they react quickly and authentically to subtle shifts in human respiration, body language, tone, and posture. With guidance from a therapist, clients can identify relationship patterns and their impact on their nervous systems and relationships. This lets clients re-negotiate familiar situations and achieve different outcomes and build new neuropathways in the brain.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International 2023
Natural Lifemanship 2024
United Way's 2022
Multiple Chambers of Commerce 2024
Premier Accredited Center 2024
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
*Pertains to both programs and operations but the form will not allow that selection* Most volunteers are active in the therapeutic riding program as the mental health program is HIPPA compliant.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, People with disabilities, Victims and oppressed people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of organizational partners
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, Victims and oppressed people, Sex workers
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, NCL chapters, scouting troops, a shelter for trafficking victims, and a local school district, New Danville, Lone Star College, The Landing.
Number of youth who identify, manage, and appropriately express emotions and behaviors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, People with disabilities
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Through both programs.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed social skills (e.g., interpersonal communication, conflict resolution)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, People with disabilities
Related Program
Equine-Assisted Mental Health
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Through both programs
Number of children served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
BOTH PROGRAMS
Number of returning volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, Victims and oppressed people, People with disabilities
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Grants for both programs
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed positive relationships
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth
Related Program
Equine-Assisted Mental Health
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of customers reporting satisfaction with program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, People with disabilities
Related Program
Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of counseling sessions performed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Equine-Assisted Mental Health
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
*Counseling hours
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
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?
The available data for the counties Inspiration Ranch serves tells us that we must continue to provide an innovative, impactful approach to mental health, and that is exactly what the Equine-Assisted Mental Health and Learning Program does. Our trauma-informed program offers a process to help clients build connected relationships and overcome stress and trauma. This therapy process uses relationship principles from both horse and human neuropsychology and psychology and is based on an understanding of how trauma affects brain function and the underlying relationship principles that address the development of secure attachments. A foundational principle of the program is that secure, healthy relationships are the building blocks for all healing.
In 2022, we hosted 693 session hours for clients in both the group and private format. As we look forward, our five-year growth plan asks us to assess current infrastructure and herd capacity to reach 20 group sessions and 60 private clients weekly in hopes of more than doubling our capacity.
Because therapeutic riding has been proven to be an effective way to manage the physical, cognitive, and emotional effects of a number of special needs diagnoses, Inspiration Ranch is working on expanding its own therapeutic riding program. Helping these families find a therapeutic activity, and exercise, that their special needs members will engage in is vital. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people with a disability are more likely to become obese, develop heart diseases, and be diagnosed with diabetes. The increased mobility, core strength, and lung function offered by therapeutic riding become increasingly important in light of this information.
In 2023, we anticipate that the Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding Program will grow by 18 to 20%, reaching our strategic plan goal of serving 125 clients weekly.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Inspiration Ranch has a specific and strategic plan for growth.
Main Areas of Focus Are:
1) Sustainability & Marketing
Provide continuous support to our board members for the sole purpose of adding strength, insight and value to our organization. Deliver a comprehensive development budget and long-term plans for funding of our mission. Continued vetting of Foundations and possible grants. Development of a comprehensive and cohesive marketing plan that is in alignment with our current objectives, short and long term goals.
2) Property
Continue to promote and grow a culture of safety. Consolidate existing ranch safety policies/procedures. Identify/develop new policies and procedures. Safety moments and safety related projects to include "near miss" reports and incident documentation and analysis.
3) Programs
Increase Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding program to at least 125 clients weekly and continue to grow our added speech therapy offering. Double the capacity of our Equine-Assisted Mental Health and Learning Program to by 2025. Educate board members on a quarterly basis with topics to specific client care.
4. Staffing
Provide long-term sustainability of Inspiration Ranch through improved sourcing and development of qualified staff. Continued training, engagement and succession of our team.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Inspiration Ranch is very fortunate to have small but very high performing personnel. Every staff member has a formal degree or certification and attends continuing education programs to provide superior service and improve productivity. All the instructors for therapeutic riding are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH, Intl.) and have significant experience instructing in the riding industry. Our mental health program is operated by a Licensed Psychology Associate for Independent Practice (LPA-IP) certified through Natural Lifemanship with a trauma-informed care certification.
Inspiration Ranch also has a very active and professional Board of Directors who meet monthly and consistently focus their attention on those innovations that will most likely support the accomplishment of the Ranch's core purpose. They monitor financial performance, social impact considerations, and our movement towards a broader perspective of organizational performance that has the greatest community impact.
Under this Board of Directors is a Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee led by Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands' Chief Surgical Officer and comprised of local medical professionals. This committee keeps both programs appraised of the most current research as well as assuring that our staff operates with close attention to medical and therapeutic standards.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Inspiration Ranch has a separate, private arena and office space for both programs, and separate herds serving each client base.
We are increasing the size and capacity of our Board of Directors to assist with both growth and fundraising efforts.
Our Board of Directors recognizes the value of having the scientific and medical community see the impact of equine-assisted services. In 2019, it formed the Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee to serve as a subcommittee of our Board. This committee is led by Dr. Jeff Shilt, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands Chief Surgical Officer. It ensures that the Ranch and its programs have access to the most current medical, occupational and physical therapy, and mental health information and advocates for equine-assisted services within the medical community.
To help our therapeutic riding staff better track long-term outcomes for clients, the Committee is helping our team adapt the Texas Children’s Hospital occupational therapy department's app to track outcomes. The Ranch will begin using this app, called Red Cap, to follow the long-term outcomes of its therapeutic riding clients.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
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
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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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.
INSPIRATION RANCH INC
Board of directorsas of 02/06/2024
Mrs. Michelle Little
Executive Director Engagement Solutions/HRIS
Term: 2018 - 2023
Jimmie Dotson
Houston ISD
Patrick Flaherty
Flaherty Flooring
Michelle Little
Waste Connections, Inc.
Dr. Jeffrey Shilt, MD
Texas Children's Hospital
Eric Allum
Texas Children's Hospital
Brooke Westall
Newfield Exploration
Bob Marlow
Revo Financial, LLC
Elijah White
ExxonMobil
Jason Ellestad
Howard Hughes Corporation
John Ford
Stephens Natural Resources
Michael Schmidt
Ovintiv
James Schulze, DVM
Equine Veterinary Associates
Jonathan Homeyer
Gulf Capital Bank
Brad Kauffman
Kiewit Energy
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? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
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? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
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
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/30/2024GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.