EmpoweRanch

11/13/2024

11/13/2024

Our fourth EmpoweRanch & Arizona Elk Society Heroes Rising Outdoors VORTEX session was held on Thursday, November 7th with the most beautiful weather we’ve had yet this fall. Our focus for the week was on bringing awareness to the connection between mind and body. We started off our session with Dancer and Grand frolicking together in the turnout, kicking off our session with observations, inquiries, and discussions around horse behavior, communication, and intent. For our check in, we each shared our name, a word or two to describe how we were feeling that day, what part(s) of our body tend to hold stress or anxiety, and a movement for all of us to stretch and release tension.

We found that most of us hold our stress in our shoulders, neck, and jaw, so our movements allowed us to get some of those areas loosened up. Some of our veterans described their experience with the damage caused by our bodies holding in that stress over time. We then proposed an option of doing a body scan meditation next, or holding that off as an optional activity at the end to ensure more hands-on time with the horses. I’ll bet you can guess which option overwhelmingly won!

After discussing some techniques and approaches to reduce the negative impact of stress on our bodies, we related that topic to the horses. We learned about different ways to identify where the horses' energy levels are, outward signs of stress, and signs of relaxation or relief from stress or anxiety in the horse. We then tied Dancer and Grand to the rail and invited everyone into the arena for instruction on reading the horses’ body language, understanding how our presence and positioning of our bodies can apply pressure and why that’s important while the horses are tied, equine instincts as prey animals, and interacting with the horses safely while building a mutually respectful and trust-based relationship with the horses.

Then, everyone chose which grooming tool they wanted to start off with and got to work, grooming Dancer and Grand from mane to tail! Throughout the experience, our veterans made inferences about the horses’ energy levels, noted signs of relaxation, and recognized that over time of building that mutual trust and respect with the horses, the horses relaxed and found comfort in the experience (and vice versa). This was just as much an enjoyable and fulfilling experience as it was a learning one. Dancer got her mane and tail braided beautifully, and they both received so much love and care.

Toward the end of the grooming time, one of our veterans challenged himself to learn how to pick their hooves for the first time. Grand, who’s had to recover from some pain and discomfort in his front hooves and leg in the past, has been known to be resistant to allowing his front hooves to be picked if he’s not completely comfortable…and especially with new people. However, when this veteran approached him with love, confidence, trust, and respect, Grand rewarded him with full cooperation for the entire time.

When it came time to wrap up, each horse was taken back to their stall by a veteran with the guidance of our team, and we gathered back where we started to recap and reflect. Everyone’s demeanor was like night and day from when we first began with smiles all around, relaxed shoulders, and an excitement to share about the connections made during the experience.

The insights shared brought it all home, such as how when we make an intentional effort to identify how stress presents in our body and release that, the horses notice and reflect that release as well. Once we all became more comfortable and relaxed, the horses relaxed, too. The experience of building that relationship, building trust and respect, with the horses was a huge takeaway. We also discussed recognizing when important relationships are not, or become no longer, reflective of our expectations and boundaries of trust and respect for ourselves and our communities. We even had an excellent conversation around ADA rights and service animals, and it made all the difference for these insights and resources to be shared veteran-to-veteran.

This was one of the most rewarding VORTEX sessions yet for this fall season. We’re looking forward to what the next three sessions will bring! If you know of a veteran who may be interested in joining us for our next season of VORTEX in spring 2025, please contact Russ with AES Heroes Rising Outdoors at [email protected]

11/12/2024

🐎✨ Honoring our veterans and active-duty service members today and always✨🐎
Thank you for your service!

If you know of a veteran seeking healing through the outdoors, horses, campfires, and camaraderie, please consider connecting them with us. We, along with our incredible partners, want to make sure every veteran and service member that could benefit from our programs has the opportunity to do so.

Our Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Equine Xperience (VORTEX) program is halfway over for the fall season, but there's still room to sign up for spring 2025! We also look forward to offering more therapeutic camp out retreats for veterans and soon, for veteran families. Please go to empoweranch.org for more info.

Thank you again for everything you do and the sacrifices you make to keep our country the land of the free and home of the brave!

11/02/2024

Last week, in partnership with Arizona Elk Society Heroes Rising Outdoors, we had our second VORTEX session of the season, held at Wildcat Ranch. During our check in, we discovered that the theme of recognizing when we need to make rest a priority was a very timely and valuable one. We had an excellent group discussion on restoration and self-care, noting the importance of sleep and recognizing how not making the time for rest, relaxation, and self-care can impact all areas of life. The conversation led to a variety of different ways to restore balance to the mind, body, and soul as well as ways that we can maintain a healthy lifestyle with more consistency. Afterward, we all picked a spot in the breezeway of the barn and settled in for a guided meditation with the horses. The timing was a little later than planned, so some of the horses developed unrealistic expectations of us and thought we were supposed to be feeding them their dinner. They let us know very abruptly and loudly during the meditation, which added a little bit of humor to the experience. However, we were able to observe other horses relaxing toward the end, despite the loud banging from some demanding that we get off our mats and feed them. Mind you, it was not quite yet their dinner time, but they don't have watches, so...
After a brief reflection, we all had an opportunity to spend some time with the horses throughout the breezeway. We departed the ranch with, hopefully, a little more compassion for ourselves and awareness of the value of making restoration and self-care a priority - and making space for it - as we seek optimal health and well-being.

10/18/2024

The Fall 2024 VORTEX (Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Equine Xperience) season has begun, and we couldn't have asked for better weather and company! We are honored to have the opportunity to serve these veterans who've sacrificed so much for our freedoms and have been searching for a different therapeutic approach for healing - outdoors with horses and fellow veterans. Together with Arizona Elk Society Heroes Rising Outdoors and our current home at Wildcat Ranch, we're looking forward to lots of laughs, some inevitable tears, learning, growth, and healing with horses.

VORTEX is an unmounted 8-week therapeutic recreation program for veterans looking to improve quality of life, health, and well-being with horses, campfires, and the ranch lifestyle. We have a few spots that opened up for Thursdays from 1400-1600 through Dec 12th. Interested veterans can sign up and begin their journey with us for the remaining 7 sessions.

For more info, please go to: empoweranch.org/vortex
To sign up, please email Russ from AES Heroes Rising Outdoors: [email protected]
You can also reach out to Jessi with EmpoweRanch at: [email protected]

10/01/2024

🍂🐎🎃 LAST CHANCE to register for EmpoweRanch FALL CAMP located in south Phoenix! This is for kids who love the outdoors, animals, learning new things, and making new friends. More info & to register: empoweranch.org

09/20/2024

There's still time to register for our ranch-based outdoor adventure day camps in south Phoenix! ESA families, we're on ClassWallet and will honor registration with proof of invoice submission, so no worries about long processing times!
empoweranch.org/camps

09/17/2024

Wild in the City is coming! Sign up your kiddos for a day of hands-on fun and learning. We'll be there with Dancer and Grand for the horsemanship station!

CALLING ALL YOUTH! Registration is open for the upcoming WILD IN THE CITY Youth Camp Day at Ben Avery in the north valley!!
Join us Sunday Nov. 17th for an all day 9am-4pm youth camp teaching kids about outdoors skills and wildlife conservation.
Registration - www.arizonaelksociety.org/wild-in-the-city

If you are interested in volunteering for this great event and more please use www.arizonaelksociety.org/wild-in-the-city-volunteer-form. Thank you.

09/13/2024

We can't wait to kick of our fall season of healing and educational nature-based programs, starting with day camps! How does time in nature play a role in your health and well-being?

How can nature serve as a pathway for healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

This infographic illustrates how nature-based interventions can help children and families recover from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES).

It includes evidence-based therapeutic strategies and outcomes that support children’s health and well-being.

To view the full infographic and explore other resources on how nature can help heal, visit our website!
https://bit.ly/3C1kNME

09/07/2024

🐴🍂🎃EmpoweRanch FALL BREAK DAY CAMPS are coming! Registration is OPEN! empoweranch.org/camps 🎨🎉

Kids who ask all the questions, with energy for days, who love the outdoors and animals or who could benefit from less screen time and have FUN building new friendships, interests, and confidence, THIS CAMP IS FOR THEM!
We celebrate neurodiversity and welcome children who benefit from social, learning, and behavioral support.

More info and to register: empoweranch.org/camps

ESA families, we're on ClassWallet! Reduced rate for siblings, military families, first responders, and children in foster care. Limited full and partial scholarships are also available!

Educational Services Alliance

09/06/2024

Looking for some fun this Sunday? Want to play pickleball and party for a good cause? Our partner, Wildcat Ranch Phoenix, is hosting a fundraiser event this Sunday at Chicken N Pickle in Glendale! See below for details!

We still have spots for the Pickleball Fundraiser Tournament ! Please share with your friends. If you don't want to play but want to donate, sign yourself up and the proceeds will still help Wildcat Ranch Phoenix. 🐎

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickleball-fundraiser-tournament-tickets-951790179047?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_content=shortLinkNewEmail

07/30/2024

EmpoweRanch Veterans Camp Out 2024 | August 16-18, 2024
Our EmpoweRanch crew is excited to invite you to join us in the cool pines for our inaugural EmpoweRanch Veterans Camp Out 2024!
This special three-day, two-night camping retreat is designed exclusively for military veterans and active-duty military personnel, offering a unique opportunity for connection, restoration, and renewal amidst the wild beauty of northern Arizona's Mogollon Rim. In partnership with Arizona Elk Society’s Habitat Project, this is an opportunity to enjoy camping and camaraderie with other veterans and service members while gaining beneficial fresh perspectives, skills, connections, and insights for yourself and giving back by working together on a service project to preserve and protect an important natural resource at Buck Springs.
For more info and to register, go to empoweranch.org/camps or email [email protected]
We hope to see you in the pines soon!

07/21/2024

Pop-Up Family Adventure Camp in the Pines next weekend? Yes please! Limited spots available. Register at empoweranch.org/camps

THANK YOU to our donors and volunteers for making this a low-cost opportunity for families!

Thank you for your interest in EmpoweRanch, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity organization providing therapeutic and educational outdoor recreation-based programs, particularly for underserved populations including urban youth and veterans with and without disabilities.

06/22/2024

“She saw how much people just dump stuff instead of treating the earth better by throwing trash in a trash bin.
No one else would, so she did.” -Kathleen Sprinkle

Can one person make a difference? Jody Becker proved that yes, one person can make a WORLD of positive change! These photos are before and after from a basin in Jody’s neighborhood that had become a neglected eyesore that nobody would touch. In the heat of the summer, Jody took it upon herself to spend 19 hours cleaning this space. What once was a beacon for trashing our planet became beautiful spaces to be proud of once again.

When asked by a neighbor why she did it, Kathy Sprinkle replied with the above quote. Jody added, “I did it because the area had been in deplorable condition for going on 2 years. So much so that some people felt 'invited' to dump increasingly more unwanted materials such as piles of sand, dirt and cement, which led to copy-cat behavior. Another reason I did it was to raise funds for EmpoweRanch. Though I made up my mind to do the work anyway, I wanted it to also benefit that valuable local nonprofit organization ( https://empoweranch.org ).”

On top of cleaning this up on her own accord, an inspiring and impressive deed alone, Jody made this into an opportunity to raise donations for EmpoweRanch - and boy, did she! Not only did Jody’s selfless hard work result in inspiring others to clean up their neighborhoods, she was able to raise a whopping $380 in donations!

Jody and Kathy, both Army veterans as well as dedicated friends and volunteers with EmpoweRanch since our humble beginnings at our original leased raw land location at 30th St. and Southern. They have become an integral part of growing this beautiful shared dream of EmpoweRanch.

From all of us, thank you Jody Becker! And thank you Kathy for sharing and for taking care of everyone while Jody was away making the world a better place, one truckload at a time! That’s the heart of a good human and a true leader.

If you needed reminding today that there are still good people out there, here’s your proof! What can you do today to make our world a little bit better?

06/11/2024

***Photos coming soon!***
Moved by our mission and impact, Convergint partnered with EmpoweRanch in Phoenix, AZ for Convergint's Social Responsibility Day 2024!

On Friday, June 7th, 80 employees braved the heat and dedicated their morning to helping us out however they could. From mucking stalls and bucking hay to restoring archery equipment and renovating the chicken mansion, they made a huge difference for EmpoweRanch and for our partner and current home, Wildcat Ranch.

This was the first time a corporate group of this size devoted their time and talents to our small but mighty nonprofit, and we are so grateful! We laughed through our sweat as we worked together and got to know these wonderful people throughout their time at the ranch. We can't wait for next year. Thank you, Convergint! What a team, what a day, and what a difference you made in just one morning of unshakeable service!

I also want to thank our tireless volunteers that helped lead and guide all of the various projects around the ranch, as well as Wildcat Ranch. This would not have been possible without you all!

As we wrap up our 23rd annual Convergint Social Responsibility Day, we celebrate nearly 10,000 colleagues worldwide who dedicated their workday to giving back. This year, we achieved over $3 million in payroll donations and more than $500,000 in labor and equipment contributions. Together, we made a significant impact!

06/10/2024

Join us in congratulating Kelsey Bauman on passing her NCTRC exam, completing the final step to become a certified Recreational Therapist! Kelsey completed her degree and fulfilled her ASU Recreational Therapy internship with EmpoweRanch, along with achieving her Basic Archery Instructor certification, beginning her AAEE Environmental Educator certification program, and gaining experience toward her future PATH certification. She’s overcome so many obstacles along the way, making this feat of earning her CTRS designation all the more rewarding. Kelsey continues to volunteer with EmpoweRanch, and she’s seeking a job in the field where her expertise, creativity, interests, and love of the outdoors can shine.
Way to go, Kelsey!

05/16/2024

UPDATE: We still have spots open for this FREE EmpoweRanch experience tomorrow (Friday morning) at Wildcat Ranch in south Phoenix! Spanish-speaking welcomed but not required. Bring a friend (please have them RSVP as well)! Please email your name asap to [email protected] to RSVP!