Santa Fe Ranch Foundation

We provide hands-on experiences in nature via high quality outdoor education programs. Because we believe nature should be accessible to all, we run animal assisted therapy programs for adults and children with developmental disabilities. We share strategies to improve awareness in the community and to demonstrate the capabilities of our clients. Our programs empower underserved populations, lead to personal growth among participants and create enduring relationships with the environment.

We believe nature and the outdoors should be accessible to all members of the community and through our special education programs we create meaningful access to nature for those with disabilities and special needs. These experiences of nature and the outdoors positively impact the lives of the participants through creating pride in their own abilities, meaningful learning opportunities, life skills, and a high level of engagement and decision making. People regardless of having a disability or not are having fun while learning in the outdoors!

We run animal assisted therapy programs for adults and children with disabilities. Often these are the only outdoor community based experiences our community members participate in on a regular basis. Adults with disabilities participate in the ranch programs three times per week year round. They interact with horses, goats, sheep and other ranch animals. We go the distance to ensure the highest quality accommodations are put into place so people with a variety of needs can all access an optimal outdoor and animal experience.

We are located in Nogales, Arizona and provide multiple outdoor programs for children in the community of Santa Cruz County, as well as at risk and underprivileged youth, and schools from pre-k through college. We have rehabilitated a wetlands called Las Lagunas, provide the settings for wildlife and birds, and concentrate on sustainable research based ranching practices and the conservation of the land. We then create opportunities in the lands we help protect to serve our community.

Testimonials

"Our members love to go to the ranch, where they are able to experience the environment using their sensory systems by holding baby lambs, grooming them, feeding and exploring the country paths. Participating in these and other hands on activities has benefited the members tremendously in allowing them to express themselves more freely and confidently. For others it has helped them come out of their shell by enjoying the warmth of a small animal." -Marina Galhouse, Director of Santa Cruz Training Programs

"While at the ranch, I worked with each student, one on one, on their speech and language goals while interacting with animals and visiting the butterfly garden. For these learners, having a real animal, plant, or tree to touch, smell, and hear (for those who were not deaf), while working on the rich language opportunities available in this setting, was irreplaceable and a valuable experience in their development as language learners. 
The experience provided learning opportunities that cannot be replicated in everyday classroom routines. I used these teachable moments to work on the students' goals in a natural, community-based setting. 
Due to the medical needs of the members of this group, we are always cautious in anything we do with them, especially when we leave the classroom.  I felt that the ranch took the needed precautions in working with a group like ours, and provided a very safe and accommodating experience for them. This will set them up for more positive experiences in the future. 
The Santa Fe Ranch experience is definitely one I have recommended to others, as I believe the benefits for our population are many and unique.
Thank you,
Mauren A. Roesler, MS CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist