Paws for Reflection Ranch

What it reported doing in 2024

Counseling programs include Animal-Assisted Counseling (AAC), Equine-Assisted Counseling (EAC), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Traditional Counseling, and Animal/Equine Assisted Play Therapy. Therapists partner with 35 Ranch animals to meet weekly for 60 minute individual or group counseling sessions. Clients as young as 3 years of age begin in our Play Therapy program. Through the child's natural language of play, the counselor can reflect back to the child and better understand the emotions and concerns of the child. The counselor is able to work with the parent(s) and child to improve their relationship. Through interaction with the animals, the child learns empathy, regulation of emotions, anger management, and coping skills. The child builds confidence and self-esteem and learns how to better communicate at school and at home. In group Play Therapy, children learn how to play together, communicate with one another, and how to compromise and be flexible. As the child moves away from the world of toys, therapists may incorporate activities with the miniature horses, miniature donkey, goats and other barn animals. Activities are designed to encourage sharing of emotions and to reach therapy goals. In 2024, the Ranch added one LPC-S and 2 Master's level interns to our counseling team. Interns are helping to alleviate the wait list we often experience for Play Therapy. Teens typically participate in Equine Assisted Counseling. As the teen builds a relationship with a horse, they work on activities designed to focus on their therapy goals, improving their confidence and self-esteem as they experience the unconditional love of their horse. With immediate feedback from the horse, the client is able to try new behaviors, change communication styles, and be aware of how body language speaks volumes. Adult clients also typically choose Equine Assisted Counseling. Through building a relationship with their horse, the client learns how to build healthy relationships, try out different communication styles and behaviors, learn coping skills, manage anger and frustration, and more. Activities are designed to assist the client to accomplish their therapy goals as they learn new skills and bond with their horse. In Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, the client is able to train their brain to act in a more neutral manner when exposed to certain triggers that currently produce a dramatic response. Our counselors are trained to utilize this therapy with children, teens, adults, and Veterans. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is trauma focused and shows positive results in the treatment of PTSD, moral injury, nightmares, trauma, abuse, pain, eating disorders, etc. Clients report experiencing results quickly. Many of our clients merge Equine Assisted Counseling and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy together. Counseling clients include youth-at-risk, children, adults, families, Veterans and their dependents, people with special needs, and others who seek counseling. In 2024, 29 unique clients were seen for Equine Assisted Counseling. These clients participated in approximately 500 sessions. There were 64 unique clients seen for Animal Assisted Counseling for 510 sessions. There were 19 unique Play Therapy clients resulting in approximately 305 sessions of Play Therapy. Traditional counseling clients numbered 12 with 192 sessions. Family/Couples numbered 47 with 752 sessions. There were also 10 clients treated via Telehealth with 162 sessions online. Expenses include Independent Contractor fees, training, and supply costs. Cost of facility and the expenses surrounding the care and feeding of all therapy animals have not been included in these program expenses.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 71.4%; rating input score 71
• Program expense ratio: 71.6%; rating input score 72
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 71
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 0.3%; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.34; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.69; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 15.9% per year; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 17.2% per year; rating input score 100; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 21.9% per year; rating input score 100; 84th percentile among comparable filings