They say that young people are our future, and this guides our hearts and aspirations every day during the Whispering Ponies Ranch (WPR) life-changing therapy camps for children of abuse. Kids at WPR come from broken homes (and often much worse), having known extreme neglect, physical and mental abuse, violence, abandonment, and even the nightmare of being sex trafficked. WPR Camp employs screened, certified counselors who nurture these rescued kids through week-long restorative treatment, displayed through love and acceptance while teaching the necessary skills they will need to grow in confidence, healing, and survival after camp.  These kids come to believe they are beautiful on the inside, that they matter to us and God…and that HE has a plan for their lives…

Another article relates this phenomenon to something ironically similar to what we’ve attempted to do with our miniature horses and zoo-babies at the ranch. As children and teens emerging from abusive situations into the foster care system are visiting our facilities, they find a nonjudgmental, unprejudicial, agenda-free, warm, and loving fuzzy nose belonging to a four-legged and instant friend greeting them straight off the bus…

Some of what I’m about to impress upon you might tug at a heartstring or two, but please understand that the purpose of this article is not to make anyone sad. It’s actually a praise report, so bear with me and keep reading.