HAPPY DOG RANCH FOUNDATION INC

We offer volunteer opportunities for individuals and families to learn about the care and welfare of small farm animals and horses. We educate and offer training so that they have competence, fun and create connection and relationship with these animals. Each volunteer or family spends from 3 -5 hours per week doing everything from cleaning pens, to filling waters, to moving animals from one pen to another, grooming, feeding and exercising animals as well. It provides them a safe out door experience, where they are able to slow down, breathe and experience the feeling of love and wholeness that animals help to provide.

We host a day of activities and opportunities for parents and caregivers of deaf/autism children to socialize, connect and receive valuable information regarding resources and trainings available to them. The day is filled with activities for the children such as meeting the animals, games, "pony" rides and crafts so that the parents can meet with the facilitators with out distraction.

We host Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies 4 day intensive seminars in which they train therapists on the use of horses in their therapy work. This program is taught 4 times a year and allows therapists to gain certification in this field and these therapists then go out and apply it to all fields of psychotherapy working with all types of individuals and families.

The University of Denver EAMH (Equine Assisted Mental Health) uses our facility and horses to offer certification for therapists using horses in their work. They offer 4 day intensives 5 times per year. This training helps therapists better reach their clients in all areas of psychotherapy.

Jim Masterson, originator of the Masterson Method, teaches hands on healing techniques to aid in the healing and connection to horses. It is being used in connection with therapists to offer another tool in their clients ability to connect and establish healthy, positive relationships.

We host Mark Rashid horse training seminars in order to better educate horse owners and trainers in the safe handling and riding of horses. Mishandled horses become dangerous and windup in kill lots, abandoned or euthanized. As a horse rescue/sanctuary we would like to do everything we can to better educate the public and prevent this from happening. Mark's techniques are kind, thoughtful and help to build and reinforce healthy relationships with horses and through that with people.

We host this training in animal acupressure and massage for the benefit of the animals but also as a training and certification program for people looking to change careers. This program takes place 4 times a year each training from 2 -4 days long.

Once a year we host a weekend long training with Dr. Steve Peters, a neurologist, who provides information on how the horse's brain really works. He does this seminar along with Jim Masterson and Mark Rashid. The desire is to better educate the horse owners and trainers so that training methods best support the health, happiness and safety of the horses.