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OUR HISTORYOut of one family's tragedy and heartbreak, came a ministry that shares love, hope and healing through fellowship with horses for those who have walked a similar path. All of us have experienced some type of trauma in our lives at one time or another, would you agree? Some may be less or more intense than others. After watching a family friend be abused by another family member as a young child and feeling so helpless, my mind goes back to the memories of growing up with horses and remembering the soothing feeling I experienced while being around them.
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It was three years ago when I felt God was sharing a vision for a safe haven for kids who may have been or be in a traumatic situation and as a result, Janice Faye's Ranch was born. It is named after our mom, Janice Faye, who lived her life for Jesus until she was called to be with him after a car accident at the age of 44. She was a spirit-filled woman who lived a Godly life and portrayed this image to everyone that knew her. She lived and believed in the Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. So, it's in her memory we carry on her legacy of hope and healing. As those of us still here carrying on God's mission, we encounter an at-risk girl or boy everyday and don't even know it. She may be the child next door, your babysitter, your waitress, the pitcher on your kids' ball team.... They are everywhere and they touch all of our lives when we open our eyes.
The process of becoming a nonprofit began in 2018 and we saw our first client in 2020.
It is our purpose to encourage hope and healing through fellowship with horses and faithful volunteers who offer those needing assistance with educational opportunities the assistance they need for getting or keeping their grades on track for college. Our mission is to provide equine assisted therapy and educational assistance in a safe environment for individuals recovering from trauma and abuse. Our focus is to support and encourage participants seeking emotional growth, self-respect and the courage to move forward with their lives.
Why horses and how do they help people with trauma? Horses are prey animals and as prey animals, a horse does not worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. They live in the here and now, are constantly observing who or what is around them, what may be friend or foe, where their friends are and what is the best route of escape should the need arise. They have three ways of dealing with danger...fight, flight or freeze.
What therapists have discovered is people who have suffered trauma have similar responses. As predatory beings, however, humans tend to get stuck in yesterday or worry about what lies ahead. It is very difficult for someone who has suffered trauma to stay focused in the present.
By partnering a client who won't face the present with an animal that doesn't know anything else, we create an environment where the person must face what is currently in front of them--namely a 500-2000 pound horse. Horses are herd animals. They are very social and there is definitely a pecking order in every herd. But by their nature, they don't want to be the leader. When faced with the decision to partner with a human, they look for someone they can trust and follow. And this is where the magic happens. At the ranch, we partner a rescued horse with a girl who may have or have had a similar life experience. It is these amazing creatures that do the heavy lifting at Janice Faye's Ranch. It is their compassion and patience that allow the therapeutic magic to transpire. It has been quoted by many that "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man". At Janice Faye's Ranch, we see the opposite of that: it is the inside of a horse that helps.....And horses really do help humans heal. If the horses can overcome the situations they have encountered, then maybe we can too.
Won't you join us and be the change we need to see in the world?
Your sister in Christ,
Joy Canady
Founder
The process of becoming a nonprofit began in 2018 and we saw our first client in 2020.
It is our purpose to encourage hope and healing through fellowship with horses and faithful volunteers who offer those needing assistance with educational opportunities the assistance they need for getting or keeping their grades on track for college. Our mission is to provide equine assisted therapy and educational assistance in a safe environment for individuals recovering from trauma and abuse. Our focus is to support and encourage participants seeking emotional growth, self-respect and the courage to move forward with their lives.
Why horses and how do they help people with trauma? Horses are prey animals and as prey animals, a horse does not worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. They live in the here and now, are constantly observing who or what is around them, what may be friend or foe, where their friends are and what is the best route of escape should the need arise. They have three ways of dealing with danger...fight, flight or freeze.
What therapists have discovered is people who have suffered trauma have similar responses. As predatory beings, however, humans tend to get stuck in yesterday or worry about what lies ahead. It is very difficult for someone who has suffered trauma to stay focused in the present.
By partnering a client who won't face the present with an animal that doesn't know anything else, we create an environment where the person must face what is currently in front of them--namely a 500-2000 pound horse. Horses are herd animals. They are very social and there is definitely a pecking order in every herd. But by their nature, they don't want to be the leader. When faced with the decision to partner with a human, they look for someone they can trust and follow. And this is where the magic happens. At the ranch, we partner a rescued horse with a girl who may have or have had a similar life experience. It is these amazing creatures that do the heavy lifting at Janice Faye's Ranch. It is their compassion and patience that allow the therapeutic magic to transpire. It has been quoted by many that "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man". At Janice Faye's Ranch, we see the opposite of that: it is the inside of a horse that helps.....And horses really do help humans heal. If the horses can overcome the situations they have encountered, then maybe we can too.
Won't you join us and be the change we need to see in the world?
Your sister in Christ,
Joy Canady
Founder