Tension. It is a state of being that requires almost no explanation to be understood. Most animals are capable of recognizing tension even across species. It can be a temporary state, or it can be one’s modus operandi. We feel it every day to variable degrees. Usually, a mammal will return to a state of non-tension (maybe even relaxation) after … Read More
Abusing Ourselves
Recently, I crafted a metaphor that helped me understand how maltreatment cycles through us as we go about the business of living. It is my hope that this way of looking at the legacy of abuse and trauma is helpful to others as it has been for me. When we experience abuse, or trauma of any kind, we begin to … Read More
Letter From Our Founder
In 2008, I began formulating a mission: to bring together abused and neglected animals with abused and neglected people. In 2009, Ranch Hands Rescue became a 501(c)(3) public charity. Today, our fully licensed professional counselors specialize in trauma-focused therapy, Equine and Animal Assisted Counseling (EAAC), and other therapeutic modalities to give our clients the experience of relating their personal pain … Read More
Roo’s New Years Resolution
Emotional Support Dog Needs Three Prosthetics to Walk (Argyle, TX, December 26, 2018) – Roo, a one-year-old Basenji mix, has one goal for 2019 – to run and play like other dogs. Born with congenital deformities in three of her legs, Roo cannot walk normally. The once-abandoned puppy was rescued from the Lewisville Animal Shelter and is now an emotional … Read More
Sergeant (RET) Christopher Maples
Sergeant (RET) Christopher Maples was assigned to Echo 2/58 Ft. Benning GA for Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training on August 18th, 2008. In December, he graduated BCT and AIT 12, at which point he was assigned to Attack Company 1/28 Black Lions. There he served as an automatic rifleman, grenadier, team leader, and squad leader. From August … Read More
Focusing on Gender Equality in Sex Trafficking
With years of experience helping sex trafficking victims process their emotional trauma, RHR is developing a plan to change the severe lack of aid for young boys trapped in the sex trafficking industry. Half of sex trafficking victims are male, but to add to boys’ nearly invisible victimhood, “only four out of 25 shelters for commercially sexually exploited children serve … Read More
What is EAAC Therapy?
EAAC stands for Equine and Animal Assisted Counseling, a therapeutic modality that helps traumatized individuals build a relationship with a horse or other animal to bring about transformation and healing. There are many hardships in life that can cause intense emotional trauma such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, divorce, mental illness, substance abuse, death or imprisonment of a caregiver, or … Read More
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years take effect. Although most people think that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal, EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body … Read More
Counseling Center Plans to Launch the First Safe House Located in Texas to Serve Sex-Trafficked Young Men Nationwide
DENTON, TEXAS (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 29, 2017 Bob Williams, CEO of Ranch Hands Rescue Counseling Center and Animal Sanctuary in Denton, Texas, just announced ambitious plans to open one of the first safe houses in the country exclusively catering to male victims of sex trafficking. The U.S. Department of State cites global statistics estimating that boys and men may represent nearly 50% … Read More
Bonham Veterans Home residents to participate in healing collaboration with Ranch Hand Rescue
First-time collaboration for Texas Veterans Land Board AUSTIN – Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced that the General Land Office’s Veterans Land Board (VLB) is collaborating with Ranch Hand Rescue (RHR) Counseling Center and Animal Sanctuary to offer animal therapy for residents of the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). The collaboration will … Read More