Testimonials
"My son started with them from the beginning during their pilot
program. Noah has several issues related to hydrocephalus, he primarily uses a wheelchair, has epilepsy, scoliosis, g-tube fed, nonverbal, and severe cognitive delays.
Due to his strong will, love, therapy, and horse therapy he has made great strides. He uses a walker that he tolerates being in longer, he imitates more sounds and hums songs that he never used to do, and the big one that I feel has a lot to do with being involved in
therapeutic riding at Willow Creek Ranch is that now he'll sit on his own. He would always fight that before or just fall over. I feel that riding the horse really strengthened his core and he felt more comfortable sitting since riding.
We are very grateful he's been able to participate in it."
-- Tracy
"I would absolutely love to come out and observe your lessons at the
ranch!! I have been telling so many people about your ranch and what a great
therapeutic program it sounds like. Telling them the story of the autistic
boy you had that started talking after a few weeks on the horse, passing
along the goose-bumps that you gave me when telling that story!"
-- Hilary
"First let me say that Denise and Jen are incredible!!! I left
Saturday wanting to be a better person because of admiring and respecting
all the hard work and dedication you have put toward your passion. It
is people like you that really do make a difference in this world. So
you go girls!!"
-- Colleen
"We wanted to THANK-YOU for the "extra" time you spent with Evan that
day. It will be a memory we will cherish forever! Up to that point, Evan had
some real "Fear Issues" with ANY animal! It was such a Blessing, and a
thrill to see him actually "want" to get anywhere near the horses, much less
get on one and ride it! We truly believe it was the way all of you handled
Evan and the whole situation. You were all so kind, and gentle with Evan.
You really made him feel special!! (Which, of course, HE IS!!) You went
above and beyond, giving Evan a little extra time on the horse. He was
SO....excited!! He went to Preschool the next week, and shared the whole
experience with his classmates. He has shared the story with many others
since then.
Yes, Evan still has his "Fear Issues". Some days are worse than
others. For whatever reason, that day he did NOT show any fear, and had a
wonderful experience. As with anything like this, you Thank God for the
GREAT days, and ask His help in working through all the others.
We hope to come and visit your ranch sometime over the summer."
-- Mike & Teresa
"I just wanted to thank you and your volunteers for your hospitality at
Willow Creek Ranch. I appreciated the opportunity to come and observe
your therapeutic riding program. I learned a lot. You ladies have done a
wonderful job of starting and growing a great program. I was very
impressed by the number of activity stations you have set up and the great
rapport you have developed with your riders. You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work."
-- Ernie
"I do think what you guys are doing is brilliant! I hope you keep it
up! It's so amazing!"
-- Maggie
Our
son Gavin is a 10 year old with Autism. Gavin is non-verbal and uses a
communication device to speak. It brings me great joy to see Gavin on a
horse. Gavin’s sensory problems have decreased since we started horse
therapy. He even catches and throws swishy balls to the side walkers; he
used to never touch these types of balls. Gavin is a very hyper child,
after the riding session he often seems calmer. This therapy also is a
social time for him as he gets to see some of his friends ride too.
His coordination has gotten better since he has been riding. They work on
grooming the horse and caring for them. The volunteer staff at Willow Creek
Ranch makes you feel like family, they are all so nice. They make this time very
educational for our kids. He continues to gain so much from therapeutic
riding. God bless everyone at Willow Creek Ranch and Caitlyn for
insisting I get Gavin involved in riding horses. We are very thankful for
all the work WCR is doing for our special needs children. Keep up the great
work. Our family and the ANGEL Autism Network organization will continue to
support your mission.
-- Sincerely, Cindy and Gavin
Schultz
"I am a volunteer at WCR and love it for many reasons. Bonding with a
horse and mucking out a stall might not sound attractive to some, but you
are in your own little solitude. No telephones, computers or household
chores to distract you. Just you and the horse, and that's a good feeling.
Another good feeling is watching the riders come in the barn, some in
wheelchairs, while others are being assisted in their walking - but it's a
whole different story when they mount their horse. They exhibit posture and
are using muscles they didn't even know they had. And that's a good feeling.
Watching the parents while they watch their children is another good
feeling. Volunteers are encouraging the riders in activities while on
the horses, whether it's in the form of a game or a hands-on experience with
the horse. Each week you can see improvements with the riders, and
watching the parents smile with along with their children is a good feeling.
My personal good feeling is that I feel I am accomplishing something for
someone without even trying hard, and having a good time doing it. I can
work at my job or do things around the house and not feel as good as a
day at WCR. The other volunteers and management at WCR are wonderful to be
with and I have learned a lot from them. I am thankful for my family and the
family I have at WCR."
-- Terry Wiskes
"We truly believe that God puts us in certain places, and as a
result, we meet certain people, for specific reasons. In this case we met
all of you! We were fortunate enough to see "first hand" just exactly what
your mission is. We believe you are there to help anyone & everyone that
would benefit from your ranch, and/or the horses. Many people are living
their lives working through a wide array of difficulties on a daily basis.
(Each one of them, a "big deal" to them!) Maybe all they need is an extra
smile, or some conversation from someone who seems to really care, and who
puts no demands on them. Maybe they need to look at life through other
avenues, to find more peace & be able to enjoy things - without anxieties,
and/or fears. We feel this is what your ranch, and the horses, offer -- and
A LOT MORE!!!!! The Lord has blessed you all with the compassion and
understanding needed to reach certain people, that others may not be able
to. Believe in what you do, and be proud of it!! Always remember... The Lord
Blesses - The Cheerful Giver, and He will Bless All Of You in Abundance! We
feel so Blessed to have had our paths cross."
-- Mike & Teresa
