Hearts Landing Ranch is an Equine Assisted therapy restoring lives with rescued horses

We are bursting with excitement!

3/11/2023

Introducing the latest newsletter from Hearts Landing Ranch, where we bring you the latest updates and trends from our Equine Assisted Therapy program.
Our team has been working hard to curate a comprehensive newsletter that caters specifically to our Ranch community.
Whether you're a therapist, a volunteer, a donor or a client, we've got you covered.

In our newsletter, you can expect to find program updates, inspiring stories from our clients, and important announcements about events happening at the Ranch.

Our newsletter is designed to keep you informed and engaged with the latest developments at Hearts Landing Ranch, and to celebrate the positive impact our program has on people's lives. So, subscribe now and stay connected with our community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about the healing power of horses.

click here our latest Newsletter

"Making a Positive Impact on mental health"

2/10/2023

"Making a Positive Impact"
Donna Eckwortzel recognized - Hearts Landing Ranch

We are thrilled to announce that Hearts Landing Ranch has been recognized by Granite Bay View / and Placer County Supervisor -Suzanne Jones . This is very exciting for HLR and our community, as EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) provides invaluable mental health support to those in need.

At Hearts Landing Ranch, we specialize in providing therapeutic services to those struggling with mental health issues. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients improve their overall wellbeing, and the use of rescue horses as a therapy tool has proven to be incredibly effective.

Through EAP, clients are able to build a connection with our horses, and learn to trust and communicate with them. This in turn helps our clients learn to trust themselves, and build self-confidence. We have seen first hand how EAP can help individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and more, to improve their quality of life.

We are especially proud of Donna Eckwortzel, the founder of Hearts Landing Ranch and the driving force behind this recognition. Donna and her team have dedicated themselves to helping others, and have worked tirelessly to make Hearts Landing Ranch a safe and supportive place for clients to receive the mental health help they need.

We strongly believe that everyone should have access to quality mental health services, and we are so proud to be part of this movement. We look forward to continuing to help our community and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Hearts Landing is Grateful for you ! Happy Thanksgiving

11/24/2022

We Are Thankful for You!

How to choose an Equine Assisted program that is right for you. - Client Testimonial

11/3/2022

Why Equine Assisted Therapy?
The human-horse connection is a special one. It can go beyond the physical, and into the emotional and spiritual realms. Horses are known for their calming effect on people, and for their ability to help people find peace. In recent years, equine therapy has become more popular as a form of treatment for mental health needs. In some cases, it’s used in conjunction with traditional therapy to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, and many other mental health challenges.

How to Choose which Equine Assisted Therapy Fits Your Needs? - Client Testimonial
Please watch the video below from an actual client experience at Hearts Landing Ranch. As one of the best EAP programs in Northern California. We are a nonprofit organization that relies on donors like you . HLR offers a variety of programs to address PTSD, Stress, Anxiety, Depression to name a few, and promote emotional healing, typically at no cost to the client. HLR has a team of equine specialists and mental health therapists who together, tailor a program to address each client’s special needs. Please visit our website for additional information and see if we might be a fit for your needs.

To apply for a program, https://www.heartslandingranch.com/
or
call us at (279) 529-8279

World Mental Health Day

10/10/2022

PTSD- Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

Hearts Landing Ranch is “building a community to impact a community”. This includes a newer Military PTSD program.

According to the Veterans Association 1 in 5 women will experience sexual abuse while serving in the military.
While the statistic for men is 1 in a 100.

This data coupled, with the tragic statistic that 20 of our veterans are committing suicide every day suggests a very large need for support .
Of course, every person and situation are different, but HLR prepares an 8-week curriculum to address the unique situational needs. This program includes a licensed therapist, and an equine specialist along with 1 – 10 horses.

All the work at Hearts Landing Ranch is on the ground with the therapy team.

This Equine Assisted Psychotherapy provides a dynamic opportunity for clients to recognize behavior or trauma and find solutions to heal.

If you, or someone you know is suffering, please
reach out to us at:
https://www.heartslandingranch.com/

Additionally - here are a few links to get more information :
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome/next-step.asp
https://www.maketheconnection.net/
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index.asp

What is Equine Assisted Therapy?

9/30/2022

Hi there- and thanks for taking a moment to visit our Blog!

I decided to share another book that I feel really explains at a high level what Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is and how it can help people suffering from various mental health issues,

The book is called “Riding Home – The Power of Horses to Heal”
by Tim Hayes. I read this book last year when I started volunteering at Hearts Landing Ranch here in Granite Bay, CA. I was interested in learning more about EAP and how to interact with these magnificent animals.

In the book, Tim explains EAP and shares stories outlining and supporting the ideas he presents.
Tim says, “Being with a horse compels one to acknowledge who they really are and not who they would prefer to be for others. It is only by seeing and accepting one’s true self, that a person can begin to heal their emotional wounds. If you don’t know that you, your behavior, or your attitude is the problem, then you need someone or something to show that to you.”

This is where horses can be an invaluable tool in the EAP process as they act as mirrors to our emotions.
Horses can do this without criticism, judgement, or shame.
Bottom line – Horses are a powerful partner in the therapeutic process and can help people find their true path.

If you have an interest in this topic, I highly suggest this book!
https://www.ridinghome.com/

If you are interested in helping, please see our Volunteer Opportunities page on our website!
www.heartslandingranch.com/volunteer-opportunities.html

All the Best !
Melissa
Hearts Landing Ranch -Volunteer

Practice of journaling for mental health

9/23/2022

Over 15 years ago, I started really journaling. This wasn't a "dear diary" entry every now and then, it was a commitment to journal 3 pages every day, first thing in the morning without thinking...even if I didn't feel like it. I learned this through a book called "The Artist's Way". Some days I hated it and one particular morning I simply wrote "I don't feel like writing" for a whole page and then, shazam, the words flowed!

For the first year, I would say, journaling without thinking allowed space for a lot of trauma to come out that was stuffed down for decades.

I highly recommend that book - artist or not, we are creative beings - and doing it with a trustworthy and fun friend. At the end of the chapter she always provided prompts to continue to dive deeper into who you were meant to be and especially being present.

If you want to get started right away however, I've included a few journal prompts below. The prompts can be a question or statement that makes you think about your life.
The goal of a prompt is to help you decide what to write in your journal by giving directions and guiding your thinking.

Not into writing or want to enjoy this process with your kids, see some prompts below. When the kids were little, we had a little red journal on the dining table and would ask them to share one thing they were grateful for that day ....and one thing they wish they could do differently. I always loved the discussion (no judgement parents, just write what they say down) and keeping a memory of those days.

Write down one good thing that happened to you today.
What are five personality traits that you are most thankful for?
What about your upbringing are you most grateful for?
Are you happy with how your day turned out? Can you do better tomorrow?
Name 5 things you are doing well currently.
What family members are you most grateful for? Write about what makes them special.
What is something nice you did for another person today or this week?
Who or what in your life are you happy to have let go?

Donna
Hearts Landing Ranch

Construction of Chicken Yard

6/24/2016

Lead by Scout Brian Ellis in pursuit of his Eagle Scout award. Brian has many years of experience raising award winning hens and turkeys. He knew just what was needed to keep the chickens safe from predators.

Constructing “Chicken Mansion”

6/24/2016

Lead by Jacob Moss in pursuit of his Eagle Scout award, Jacob consulted with chicken breeder and contractors to design the coop and then rallied volunteers to build it. See the production of those chickens in the photos.