Ozarks Teen Challenge & Dogwood Ranch

Ozarks Teen Challenge is proud to partner with Dogwood Ranch to provide equine therapy. The Healing Reins program is specifically designed to empower clients who struggle with trauma to hope again. Equine therapy utilizes creative approaches and multiple evidence-based modalities to bring about several benefits, including:

  1. Emotional Regulation: Interacting with horses can help teenage males regulate their emotions and develop a sense of control and responsibility.
  2. Trust Building: Building a bond with horses can help individuals who struggle with trust issues to develop meaningful connections and improve their interpersonal skills.
  3. Confidence Building: Working with horses in a therapeutic setting can help bolster self-esteem and confidence, providing a platform for positive self-discovery and personal growth.
  4. Stress Reduction: The calming presence of horses and the peaceful environment of the ranch can help alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting overall well-being.
  5. Communication Skills: Equine therapy encourages effective communication, as individuals learn to communicate with the horses and their therapists, which can translate to improved communication in other areas of life.
  6. Responsibility: Caring for and working with horses imparts a sense of responsibility and accountability, which can be transformative for teenage males facing life-controlling issues.

What We Do

Participants can expect to engage in a wide range of fun and challenging activities that are aimed at promoting physical fitness, emotional well-being, and overall mental health. Recreational therapy is an essential service as it provides a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety, promotes teamwork and communication, and helps to build self-esteem and confidence. Through recreational therapy, students at Ozarks Teen Challenge will have the opportunity to participate in sports, outdoor adventures, creative arts, and other activities that are designed to help them develop a sense of purpose, build healthy relationships, and gain the skills they need to maintain a life of sobriety and productive living.

These are just a few of the many benefits that equine therapy can offer to teenage males who are dealing with life-controlling struggles, including trauma, drug or alcohol abuse, and behavioral concerns such as defiance.

By leveraging the dynamic relationship between client and horse, we enhance students’ trust, communication, and coping skills. The equine team consists of licensed therapists and equine specialists who are highly skilled and certified through the EAGALA and OK Corral programs. This therapeutic offering is trauma-informed and specifically tailored to the clients at Ozarks Teen Challenge.

Equine therapy allows individuals to interact with horses, who are magnificent creatures, known for their sensitivity and intuition. Research has shown that the presence of animals in nature is an extremely helpful therapeutic resource, as it connects individuals with nature and evokes a sense of peace and harmony. Both experiences involve engaging with living beings in a way that can be deeply healing and restorative for individuals facing various challenges.

Equine therapy can be particularly beneficial for teenagers who show defiance toward their parents. Interacting with horses can help teenagers develop emotional regulation, trust, confidence, and responsibility. Through the therapeutic process of working with the horses, teenagers can learn to control their emotions, build meaningful connections, and improve their interpersonal skills, which can have a positive impact on their relationships with their parents.

he responsibility of caring for and working with horses can also impart a sense of accountability, which can be transformative for teenagers dealing with defiance. Additionally, the calming presence of horses and the peaceful environment of the ranch can help alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting overall well-being and potentially leading to improved communication and trust within the family dynamic.

Ozarks Teen Challenge intertwines the therapeutic benefits of equine therapy with Scripture to provide holistic healing for trauma and behavioral issues and to help students find freedom in Jesus. By incorporating biblical teachings and principles into the equine therapy sessions, we create a spiritually enriching environment where students can find strength, hope, and guidance.

As students bond with the horses and experience personal growth, they also have the opportunity to reflect on and internalize the spiritual lessons, fostering a deeper connection with Jesus and their faith. This integrative approach not only supports the emotional and behavioral development of our students but also nurtures their spiritual well-being and relationship with Jesus.

The numerous benefits of equine therapy, combined with the expertise of licensed therapists and equine specialists, create a powerful platform for emotional, behavioral, and spiritual growth. Your son will not only experience personal development but also have the opportunity to discover or strengthen a relationship with Jesus. This comprehensive approach ensures that students receive the necessary support to find healing, hope, and freedom in Jesus, fostering a transformative and nurturing environment for their overall well-being.