Wonder Wood Ranch uses equine therapy to provide hope and healing to trauma-impacted youth in Monterey County, helping them to find purpose and become positive contributors to their community.
Imagine -- Incarcerated youth finding real hope for a positive future through riding horses right in Juvenile Hall and the Youth Center. Imagine -- Trafficked youth finding hope and healing through equine therapy and developing relationships of trust with our staff. Imagine – Young victims of abuse and domestic violence discovering a new vision for their lives from the back of a horse … All of this is happening now through the impactful, life-changing TAILS program at Wonder Wood Ranch. But these youth need more. They need our expanded TAILS Training program, an intensive, innovative, multi-layered program that teaches youth to train and care for rescue horses, under the tutelage of a professional horse trainer. T.A.I.L.S stands for: Trauma-informed, Animal-assisted, Interactive, Leadership & Life Skills development, and it is already changing the life trajectory of Monterey County youth who have been trafficked, incarcerated, abused, or have suffered other significant trauma.
Wonder Wood Ranch is an important resource in our community offering equine therapy and outdoor experiences to the most vulnerable youth in Salinas and across Monterey County. Their services are affordable and delivered with skill, love and care by a family invested in the well-being of their community. As Director of the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace I have trusted Wonder Wood Ranch with the gang impacted youth we work with and have made countless referrals from partner agencies. As Chair of the Juvenile Justice Commission I hear first-hand from Probation staff about how valued their visits into Juvenile Hall and our Youth Center are. There is something very special about the positive impact of horses on our youth and the trauma they carry.
- Jose Arreola
